Residents in the Town of Beaverlodge and Hamlet of Hythe are being asked for their input on bringing a Child and Youth Mental Health Therapist to the area once a month.
Program Coordinator for Beaverlodge FCSS Reanna Stockman says the Family and Community Support Services for both the town and the County of Grande Prairie, along with Alberta Health, is gathering public feedback to see if this service would be feasible in the community.
“There has definitely been a big increase in children and youth that are experiencing anxiety and depression, and being in a rural community, we don’t have really have access to children’s mental health, like a free service,” she says. “There are absolutely some therapists here, but not everyone can afford around $170 for that.”
“I know they have a walk-in in Grande Prairie, but sometimes accessibility for people in a rural community to get there is not always an option.”
Stockman explains if this is something those in the community will use, then it would be a by-appointment model, with patients needing to book in advance to ensure the therapist’s time is utilized. Those interested in this service or who would use the service are asked to send Stockman an email or call 780-354-4057 by July 14th.
If this turns out to be a program that moves forward, there is no official date on when it would start, but Stockman says she hopes it would start no later than the fall.
