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CMHA Vernon (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)
By Liam Verster
Mental Health Support

Program supporting healthcare and social workers expanding hours

Aug 19, 2022 | 1:00 PM

The Care to Speak program is expanding its hours to accommodate more people in need.

The program, organized through a partnership between SafeCare B.C. the Canadian Mental Health Association B.C., connects healthcare and social service workers with trained peer supporters to discuss stressors, problems or concerns they are experiencing in their sectors.

The Vernon branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon) said in a release that the Care to Speak program will now be operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In a release, CMHA Vernon said a growing number of people are experiencing a decline in their mental health, and while more supports are being made available for people in need, there is still a stigma that exists around mental illness and seeking help.

“Now more than ever, we are shown the importance of good mental health. I appreciate the Care to Speak program and what it offers the healthcare community in terms of a supportive and safe place to go when the struggles of our day-to-day work become too much, and we need a safe and anonymous place to talk about what is troubling us,” said peer support volunteer, Pamela Schultz, in the release.

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“It is rewarding to help fellow healthcare colleagues, especially when we have shared and experienced similar circumstances and can easily empathize. Allowing another person to feel understood should never be underestimated in its power to heal and help.”

The Care to Speak program is also seeking more volunteers to be remote peer supporters. CMHA will offer training to anyone interested in September.

People who wish to be involved in the program can visit the Care to Speak website to submit an application.

by Liam Verster
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