CMHA Kelowna, in partnership with Interior Health, has launched the Supporting Our Families: Interior Region Family Navigation Project to help parents and caregivers find and access mental health and substance use supports in their communities.
Parents and caregivers of children and youth up to age 25, who are feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to find services or information about mental health and substance use issues, can now call a toll-free number to connect with a Family Navigator. The Family Navigator will listen to concerns, find out what supports are needed, and then assist the caller in finding relevant, local community resources.
“Supporting families is central to ensuring mentally healthy communities,” says Shelagh Turner, Executive Director CMHA Kelowna. “This is an important resource for families who may not know where to turn to for help. Our Family Navigator and network of CMHA branches enables us to build connections in communities throughout the Interior region.”
The Interior Region Family Navigator will be based out of the Central Okanagan but will find services and resources for parents and caregivers in their own communities. To get in touch with the Family Navigator, parents and caregivers can call 1-844-234-6663 or visit www.BCFamilyNavigator.com.
David Harrhy, Executive Director of Mental Health & Substance Use for Interior Health commented, “We are pleased to be working with the Canadian Mental Health Association. When parents and caregivers are overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next, this service can provide guidance and reassurance. This project is intended to help families across the Interior Region to relieve some of the pressure and help to find the appropriate services.”
The Interior Region Family Navigator is the first part of this project to launch. Later this year, CMHA Kelowna and seven other CMHA branches throughout the BC Interior Region will be offering Take a Break Support Groups. The groups will offer opportunities for caregivers to meet others in similar situations, share experiences, and discuss strategies for skills such as coping, boundary setting, and communication. More information about Take a Break will be available in the coming months.
The CMHA Kelowna Branch is a charity that promotes the mental health of all through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy and research. It is part of a network of more than 10,000 CMHA volunteers and staff in over 135 communities across Canada. www.cmhakelowna.com
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Media Contact:
Candace Giesbrecht, Director of Community Engagement and Fundraising, CMHA Kelowna
250-861-3644, [email protected]
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