Michael Garron Hospital's (MGH) Community Outreach Services has been providing community-based support to mental health clients living in our community for 25 years!
Community Outreach Services is comprised of three separate programs:
- REACH: Community support and counseling for people living with mental health issues.
- COMPASS: Intensive case management and support for people with complex mental health issues.
- Community, School & Family Outreach: Support for family members of people struggling with mental health issues, and education to schools and the public.
From its roots 25 years ago, the program has grown to a team of 20 working with over 250 clients, “helping to stop the revolving door syndrome by supporting people to live in the community to the best of their ability,” says Gwen Robart, REACH Counsellor.
Before programs like these were funded, people spent much of their lives locked up in hospitals; now they are out in the community living their lives. Notes Gwen: “Our approach gives clients confidence and helps them reconnect with the community in a way that would never be possible through therapy in an office setting.”
Lois Didyk, REACH Counsellor, describes the team as “working with people as people, not patients. That’s how we’re different. We see people in community settings, help them use services like the library, and meet their families and friends. This means we can connect with people on a different level and work creatively in a way that suits who they are; a people-first approach.”
Says Carole Perrier, COMPASS RN: “If these clients didn’t have us, they would likely be in hospital. We link people with community support services and recreational facilities that they couldn’t do on their own. We are very knowledgeable about housing, often helping clients transition through different living arrangements. We are able to work with clients in their own environment; for example meeting up with them at Tim Horton’s if that’s where they like to go.”
Seeing clients grow and helping them become more autonomous is rewarding. “When you see clients struggling and then you see them able to work, volunteer, engage with other people, develop hobbies - that’s pretty cool,” says Carole.
For a small team, they offer amazing programs, everything from Tai Chi to acupuncture to a weekly social night, as well as cultural celebrations, picnics etc.