Mental Health
Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. It affects how we think feel and act. At Willow Cree Health we have several programs aimed at holistic mental well-being.
ABOUT
The Mental Health Department at Willow Cree Health Services plays a pivotal role in promoting the overall well-being and resilience of the community it serves. Mental health is a cornerstone of individual and collective health, influencing every aspect of life from relationships and work to physical health and community engagement.
At Willow Cree Health Services, the Mental Health Department offers a range of vital services tailored to meet the diverse needs of community members.
CONTACT US
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING & THERAPY
Mental health Therapists work directly with community members who need someone to talk to. Our professional therapists are well versed providing support to a range of disclosures including sexual abuse/trauma, unresolved grief, clinical, depression and high levels of anxiety. Mental Health Therapists see clients at their home, in the office, or phone. Meeting community members where they are at, and creating connection and trust is crucial in maintaining a therapeutic relationship to ensure their mental health and wellness needs are being met.
Mental Health Therapists meet with students from both Stobart School and CRCEC.
Meet Our Therapists
Anthony Penner
He is currently at Willow Cree Health Services and has been working with WCHS for over 10 years. He has experience delivering various kinds of therapy including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Every Other Wednesday)
Susan Burke
She is a Mental health Therapist who has worked on the Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation for over 15 years, she is excited to be in 1 day a week to work with community members who are struggling with intergenerational trauma, sexual abuse, and unresolved grief.
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
James McLean
He is a NIHB Mental Health Therapist who will be at Willow Cree Health Services two days a week.
Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Every Other Wednesday)
Other Services
- The purpose and objective of this envelope is to provide Mental Health Counseling,
- MMIWM Walks, Elder Abuse Awareness, Mental Health Week, Treaty Day, Overdose Awareness, TRC Events.
- Providing Mental Health Services during community events
- Providing Substance Use Disorder clients and families support, education, and community.
135
Referrals since July/ August of 2023
Referrals are provided by Rosthern Hospital, Home Care Nurse’s, Primary Health Care Nurses, Stobart School Counselor, and CRCEC school counselor.
IRS ELDER & IRS SUPPORTS
Willow Cree Health Services has two individuals who work closely with survivors and descendants of the Indian Residential School system. These workers play a vital role in providing culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care to Indigenous individuals who have been affected by the legacy of residential schools. Willow Cree Health Services offers a range of support services tailored to the unique needs of survivors and their families. They provide emotional support, counseling, and access to resources aimed at healing intergenerational trauma and reconnecting with cultural identity and community.
Read more about the history of St. Michael’s Residential School
IRS Support Services
Current Willow Cree Health Services is working on obtaining more robust funding for our IRS supports but due to the nature of the funding required all programs and offerings are depending on availability of funds at this time.
Willow Cree Health Services has both an IRS support worker and IRS Social Worker. The role of this program is to support Elders in the community, & their families.
- Mental Health services are provided for intergenerational trauma, grief, depression, anxiety.
- Sharing Circles for youth at the schools.
- Sharing Circles for Elders
- Assisting community members with Government programs, claims and settlements throughout the year such as First Nations Water Claim, the Federal Indian Day School Class Action, and the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
- IRS program partners with Home Care for Wellness day when required.
- Elder Coffee Talk: Knowledge exchange
NATIONAL NATIVE ALCOHOL AND
DRUG ADDICTION PROGRAM
The National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) is an example of a Health Canada program now largely controlled by First Nations communities and organizations. Since its origins in the 1970s, the program’s goal has been to help First Nations and Inuit communities set up and operate programs aimed at reducing high levels of alcohol, drug, and solvent abuse among on-reserve populations.
NNADAP supports a national network of 52 residential treatment centres, with some 700 treatment beds. You can get basic information on these treatment centres, as well as those funded by the National Youth Solvent Abuse Program (NYSAP), through the directory of treatment centres, compiled and updated as part of these programs.
Addiction Services
- Alcohol and drug counseling.
- Treatment centre and Detox Center applications, transportation to and from centers.
- Workshops, education on drug and alcohol concerns in community and at school.
- Wellbriety program Tuesdays 7:00 – 8:00pm in the Justice building, Started November 2023 (Transportation for clients)
- Addictions in Family Support Group Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:00pm in the Justice building (Transportation for clients)
PSYCHOLOGIST AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
Psychologist
To book an appointment with Dr. Phil Caverhill please contact his secretary using the information below. Request to see the psychologist at Willow Cree Health Services.
Dr. Phil Carverhill is a Clinical Psychologist who has been working in the community for 4 years. Phil offers counselling services to individuals, couples, workplace groups, and families. He also has extensive experience leading workshops and sessions on death, dying, grief and bereavement. After studying at the University of Toronto, Phil received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a founder of the Saskatoon Association for Loss and Grief Education & Support and also Prairie Hospice Society, where he developed the volunteer training program.
He provides services related to:
- Grief
- Trauma
- Intergenerational trauma
- The effects of IRS
Additional areas of counselling expertise include: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress management, life changes & transition, career counselling & assessment, coping with infertility, health psychology, work stress, parenting, and relationship issues.
Mental Health Nurse
Marlene Mirasty is a Registered Nurse who has worked with Willow Cree Health Services for over 10 years, she will be providing services to the community for 1-2 days a week. She uses an intersectional approach which understands the affects of concurrent mental health disorders, and intergenerational trauma.
General Mental Health Care
- Provide long acting IM injections to clients as ordered by psychiatrist or physician
- Mental health care navigation services & case management
- Provide education on medication coping skills
- One to one counselling for mental health, clients with bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, pre-postnatal, depression, and Addictions.
- Community education on mental health
- Liaison with pharmacies for medications
- Suicidal ideation interventions.
- Monthly Post Natal Support Groups
Addictions Care
- Assist client in accessing Opioid Assisted Recovery Program program in Saskatoon.
- Knowledgeable of methadone, Suboxone, sublicade, and other addiction medication’s.
- Medication administration
- Education on substance use disorder
- Adhere to the principles of harm reduction
- Liaison with pharmacies for medications