A new initiative aimed at improving mental health services in rural Westman communities has launched, providing accessible counselling for residents in need. The Rural Counselling Program, which opened its offices this year in Carberry, Souris, Glenboro, and Hartney, is designed to address the lack of mental health support in these areas.
The project, spearheaded by Cathy Williams, Dave Williams, and Dennis Lonsdale, aims to bring essential services to people who might otherwise struggle to access them due to geographic, financial, or logistical barriers. Cathy Williams, who co-founded Westman Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention in 2014, expressed the importance of the initiative, especially in light of her own personal loss—her son’s death by suicide.
“I’m just hoping we can help people who felt there was no other option, didn’t have insurance, couldn’t afford it, or whatever,” Cathy Williams said. “We want to help people get through life.”
The program received a significant boost with a $30,000 prize from the Winfield United Raise the Barn competition, which saw the Rural Counselling Program earn the most votes among entries from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Hosted by Winfield United, the competition tasked agricultural retailers to collaborate with charities to develop community-focused projects.
“This is going to be very impactful for the communities,” said Cathy Williams. “It’s been a long journey, and sometimes you feel like you’re not making a difference, but this really changes things.”
The funding will cover the costs of free counselling sessions available once a month in each participating community. This initiative not only eliminates the cost barrier but also provides residents the option to travel to neighbouring towns for additional sessions.
Dennis Lonsdale, the manager of Redfern Farm Services in Souris and a key partner in the program, emphasized the importance of bringing services closer to home. “A lot of people don’t have access to all the services they need, and some may not have the strength to travel to the city,” Lonsdale explained.
Lonsdale also pointed out the increasing need for mental health support in rural areas, noting that wait times for professional help can extend for months. He referred to a statistic from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, which states that one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in any given year.
“It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of being strong too long,” Lonsdale said, highlighting the resilience required to cope with mental health struggles.
The program’s success has been supported by generous local contributions, with office space for counselling sessions donated by community members. Cathy and Dave Williams worked closely with local municipalities to secure these spaces, ensuring the program’s accessibility.
While the $30,000 prize is a crucial starting point, the team is aware that additional fundraising will be necessary to sustain the program. “We usually have a walk and a golf tournament every year, but we’ll need to come up with other fundraising ideas to make sure we can keep this going,” Cathy Williams said.
With the support of local communities and ongoing efforts to secure funding, the Rural Counselling Program is poised to make a lasting impact on mental health services in rural Westman.
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