The Mege Zee Wuhsiswun program encompasses the Addictions and Mental Health services offered through the Garden River Wellness Centre. The mission of the Mege Zee Wuhsiswun team is to support individuals, families, and the community to work towards achieving optimal health and recovery from addiction and mental health concerns. As a team, they are also committed to assisting individuals in their recovery by incorporating physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as part of cultural teaching.
ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING I MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT (MHCM) I SUBOXONE OPIATE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUTH COUNSELLOR/OUTREACH I CHILD AND YOUTH COUNSELLING SERVICES I YOUTH INTENSIVE TREATMENT SERVICES
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS CULTURAL WORKER
THE MEGE ZEE WUHSISWUN TEAM
Health Services Supervisor: Maxine Lesage - ext. 207
Office Support|Reception: Tyler Pine - ext. 245
Addictions Counsellor:Sarah Jackson - ext. 204
Mental Health and Addictions Nurse: Lisa Mitchell - ext. 242
Minobimaadizing Program - Addictions Clinical Team: Erin Kucher, RPN Team Lead & Pamela Golden, RPN
Mental Health Case Management - Jay Nixon - ext. 264
Mental Health and Addictions Cultural Worker: Ron Rickard - ext. 227
Child and Youth Counsellor: Carla DiLabio - ext. 235
Child and Youth Brief Services Counsellor: Kimberly Cavanagh-Dillane
Youth Counsellor/Outreach: Ashley Irwin - ext. 238
Youth Intensive Treatment Services: Pauline Lecuyer - ext. 244
ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING
The goal of Addictions Counselling is to assist the community members of Garden River to achieve a life free from alcohol and/or other drug problems. The philosophy from which we work is based on harm reduction; the stages of change model; and motivational interviewing, with a focus on the incorporation of traditional services for a holistic approach to care.
PHILOSPHY
A harm reduction approach provides a range of strategies that are client centred and aim to reduce the negative consequences related to substance misuse. Examples would include: low risk drinking guidelines, Needle Exchange, Naloxone and programs like Suboxone.
The Stages of change provides a model to help individuals move through different stages towards changing substance misuse issues.
Motivational interviewing is a best practice approach to help individuals make a range of health and behavioural changes. Counselling approaches include: cognitive behavioural, trauma informed practice, cultural appropriate with a focus on the incorporation of traditional services for a wholistic approach to care, solution focused and strength based, as well as concurrent disorder counselling.
WHO IS AN APPROPRIATE REFERRAL?
- Those who identify as having a substance use problem and would like support in changing their substance use
- Those who are wondering whether or not their substance use is problematic
- Those who would like support in preventing relapse
- Those who would like information/support regarding a loved one’s substance use
HOW DO I GET A REFERRAL?
Addictions Counselling referrals can be done in person, by fax, by email, by regular mail or by phone. Referrals can be done by the individual themselves or by a care/service provider with permission from the individual.
SERVICES AVAILABLE
- Orientation and screening
- Linkages to Traditional Services and Support
- Comprehensive Assessment
- Referrals to other services
- Individual Treatment Plan
- Referrals to residential treatment programs
- Individual and Group counselling
- Continual assessment through case management
GROUPS AND PROGRAMMING
- Anger Solutions: Strategies for resolving anger and taking control of one`s emotions.
- Relapse Prevention: For moderate to severe substance misuse who are in early recovery. Focuses on goals and commitment to change; strengths, triggers, coping strategies and preplanning.
- NEW Art Expression: A hands on creative approach to working through trauma and the feelings/emotions associated with trauma and life experiences.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: is hosted on site every Monday at 10am
- Monthly Programs (Teaching Circles, Sharing Circles, etc) are often also held at Mege Zee Wuhsiswun and are for clients involved in our program specifically in order to create a safe atmosphere for sharing. Please check our program calendar for what`s happening each month!
- Harm Reduction Services & Initiatives
- Naloxone training and kits for clients are now available at Mege Zee Wuhsiswun. This training takes approximately 30 minutes or less to complete and clients will then leave with their own Naloxone kit to take home.
- Safer injecting supplies and safer inhalation supplies are in the process of being made available on site at Mege Zee Wuhsiswun.
Clients can remain anonymous for each of these services, only expected to use ‘code name’ when utilizing the services.
To inquire about this service contact the Addictions Counsellor, Sarah Jackson - ext 204.
MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT (MHCM)
The goal of Mental Health case management is to proactively intervene, so that individuals receive timely, appropriate support to address needs and avert potential crisis. MHCM will provide Mental Health follow-up until ongoing supports are in place (e.g., Outpatient Psychiatry or other follow-up, Counselling, Housing, Natural/Traditional Supports, OW/ODSP) and/or service is no longer required due to individual recovery/wellness/independence.
WHO IS AN APPROPRIATE REFERRAL?
Those requiring linkage and system(s) navigation and/or community support until ongoing services are in place. This includes needs for brief support (e.g., one-time situation) or ongoing Mental Health supports. A formal mental health diagnosis is not necessary to access this service.
HOW DO I GET A REFERRAL?
Mental Health Case Management referrals can be done in person, by fax, by email, by regular mail or by phone. Referrals can be done by the individual themselves or by a care/service provider with permission from the individual.
MHCM SERVICES WILL ADDRESS:
- Linkage/referral and system(s) navigation for other services.
- Follow-up where necessary to other services (e.g., attending appointments).
- Provide enhanced Mental Health outreach services through alignment with local health and social service providers (e.g., Garden River Wellness Centre, Clinics).
- Provide support to individuals accessing Sault Area Hospital emergency department, Crisis Services, Medication Clinic and Adult Mental Health Unit.
- Supportive (non-clinical) Counseling, education and advocacy.
- Medication monitoring
To inquire about this service contact the Mental Health Case Manager Jay Nixon - ext. 264.
SUBOXONE OPIATE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
WHAT IS SUBOXONE?
Suboxone is a prescription medication that is put under the tongue as an opiate replacement. It is used both as an initiation (induction) and maintenance therapy for opiate dependent patients.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Two active drug ingredients: buprenorphine which is a partial opiate, and naloxone which is a medication used to block the effects of opiates, especially in overdose.
GOAL OF SUBOXONE
The ultimate goal of Suboxone is to end the abuse or misuse of opiates while assisting patients manage their opiate dependence.
DO I QUALIFY FOR SUBOXONE TREATMENT?
Yes, if you have a dependence to opiates including (but not limited to):
- Codeine
- Demerol
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Percocet
- Heroin
- Oxycodone
- Dilaudid
To inquire about this service contact the Mental Health and Addcitions Nurse, Lisa Mitchell - ext. 242.
ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUTH COUNSELLOR/OUTREACH
Alcohol and drug counselling services for youth ages 14 – 25 years of age. A harm reduction service model that provides individual counselling and school-based outreach services. Community outreach services are also available.
WHO IS AN APPROPRIATE REFERRAL?
Youth between the ages of 14-25 years seeking help with addictions for themselves, or have concerns for a friend or family member with addictions.
HOW DO I GET A REFERRAL?
Referrals can be done in person, by fax, by email, by regular mail or by phone. Referrals can be done by the individual themselves or by a care/service provider with permission from the individual.
ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUTH SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Individual counselling sessions
- School-based outreach services or referrals
- Drug assessments
- Aftercare services
- Harm reduction/relapse prevention
- Referrals to Genesis Day Treatment and out-of-town treatment centres
Ashley Irwin is the Counsellor/Outreach, to inquire about this service contact (705)946-5710 - ext. 238.
CHILD AND YOUTH COUNSELLING SERVICES
Child and Youth Counselling Services is for children and youth between the ages of 0-18 years old. It is client centred, future-focused, strength based, and goal orientated. It consists of cognitive-based, post-crisis intervention, solution-focused and brief therapy techniques.
WHO IS AN APPROPRIATE REFERRAL?
Child and Youth between 0-18 years of age
HOW DO I GET A REFERRAL?
Child and Youth Counselling Services referrals can be done in person, by fax, by email, by regular mail or by phone. Referrals can be done by the individual themselves or by a care/service provider with permission from the individual.
COUNSELLOR WILL ASSIST CLIENT WITH:
- Developing positive coping strategies to enrich overall well-being.
- Increasing resiliency to manage life’s challenges.
- Recognizing inner strength and resources for change.
- Focusing on reaching solution-focused outcomes.
To inqure about this program please contact the Child and Youth Counsellor, Carla DiLabio - ext. 235.
YOUTH INTENSIVE TREATMENT SERVICES
The Youth Intensive Treatment Service is a unique, goal-oriented, comprehensive treatment program designed to address and treat many chronic behaviour issues that children, youth and families face in their home and community.
This service provides the family with support and tools to overcome some of the challenges they face in parenting children with chronic behaviors which may include and are not limited to self-destructive behaviors such as: truancy, theft, defiance, and non-compliance.
All interventions are designed in partnership with family members and key figures in each area of the child’s life – parents, or legal guardians, school teachers and principals, physicians etc. The participation of parents/guardians/support people is necessary for this intervention.
The ITS program works intensely with families within the home environment about 3-5 times per week with a flexible schedule to accommodate needs and goals identified. There is an intake and screening that takes place to ensure that a family is receiving the correct service.
For more information, please contact Youth Intensive Treatment Counsellor, Pauline Lecuyer - ext. 244
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS CULTURAL WORKER
The goal of our Mental Health & Addictions Cultural program is to provide a culturally sensitive prevention service for community members accessing Mege Zee Wuhsiswun(MZW) programs. The Cultural Support Worker will research, develop and implement holistic prevention programs. We hope to provide a service that will assist in connecting people with their Anishinabek identity and share basic teachings regarding balance and spirituality.
WHO IS AN APPROPRIATE REFERRAL?
- Those requiring:
- Assistance in obtaining other alternative medicinal practitioners
- A basic connection with community cultural resources
- Those who are searching for spiritual and cultural resources
- Those who are in need of ongoing cultural support
- Individuals accessing any MZW programs.
HOW DO I GET A REFERRAL?
Mental Health and Addictions Cultural Worker referrals can be done in person, by fax, by email, by regular mail or by phone. Referrals can be done by the individual themselves or by a care/service provider with permission from the individual.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS CULTURAL WORKER WILL:
- Inform community members of cultural services occurring in GRFN
- Provide culturally sensitive prevention services
- Provide cultural support in variety of ways based on client’s preference
- Provide support to individuals accessing Mege Zee Wuhsiswun and build on cultural skills
- Create a supportive atmosphere
- Liaise with cultural practitioners to connect with community members
- Complete cultural wellness plans and monitor progress
For more information about this program please contact the Mental Health and Addictions Cultural Worker, Ron Rickard - ext. 227.
