Mental Health Counselling NOSP is a safe, confidential and judgement free place to work through any mental health issues you may be having. If you are struggling with life, relationships, work, or overall well-being reach out, we are here to help. Making changes can be difficult, but with support, it is possible to learn new ways of working through life challenges. North of Superior Counselling Programs (NOSP) offers mental health counselling, which may include brief services, regular counselling services, and/or case management. Services offered are designed to increase skill and coping ability, improve mental health issues, as well as to enhance and contribute to overall well-being, with the ultimate goal of supporting individuals in living healthier and happier lives. Using a client-centered approach, NOSP team utilize evidence-based strategies and methods to support clients struggling with life challenges and mental illness to work towards improving overall well-being We can help you talk about: Depression & Anxiety Grief Work or life stress Change and/or transitions Abuse Anger Gambling Family Violence Stress Trauma Addictions The service begins with an assessment, agreed upon goal plan and agreed upon number of sessions and session frequency. Re-assessment occurs every three – to – six months to provide measurement based care, along with routine client feedback to ensure the NOSP team member is working in alignment with the client desired outcomes. Face to Face appointments are highly encouraged, and/or access to the office to utilize a safe, confidential space for virtual appointments. However, appointments can occur at the client’s home, or other space that has been decided safe and acceptable for a virtual by phone or zoom session. Psychiatry Referrals are accepted by Primary Care Practitioners only. NOSP Supportive Psychiatry services offers tele-medicine based psychiatric assessments with recommendations for diagnosis, medication and/or recommended treatment options. The psychiatric assessment is provided back to the referring primary care practitioner. The service includes initial pre-psychiatry assessment, a meet and greet with a NOSP team member to support you in initial assessment. Post-assessment, the assigned NOSP team member will debrief after psychiatric consultation, and schedule an appointment to go over psychiatric recommendations. Based upon recommendation, ongoing case management, agreed upon goal plans and agreed upon external and/or internal referrals are incorporated into care to support with diagnosis recommendations. If continued psychiatric consultations (follow-up) are recommended, the assigned NOSP team member will support you in further follow-up sessions, while adjusting your agreed upon goals. Learn more about the NOSP Psychiatry Program supported through the Ontario Psychiatric Outreach Program – Extended Campus Program. Assessment and Addiction Treatment Referrals Addiction can include a range of issues such as substances (alcohol, drugs) and non-substances (gaming, gambling, and shopping). If you are ready for change, NOSP is here for you. An assessment is an important first step in figuring out how best to assist you in moving forward and determine treatment options. At NOSP, our staff are trained in using the GAIN (Global Appraisal of Individual Needs) which is the assessment supported by the Province of Ontario. After the assessment is completed, NOSP will work with you to determine the best mode of treatment. If your goal is to attend residential inpatient treatment programs, NOSP will provide pre and post counselling to prepare you before going to treatment and once you return. There are many different treatment options associated with substance use: Self-Directed Programs Outpatient Treatment individual and group counselling case management programs pre and post residential treatment support Residential Treatment (inpatient) Short-term (about 1 month) Medium-term (2 to 6 months) Long-term (6 to 12 months) Learn more about Staged Screening and Assessment (SS&A) tools. Addiction Community Counselling If residential inpatient programming is not for you, NOSP is here to provide community addiction counselling. Goals are developed based upon your desired outcome, whether it is reducing harms associated with addiction or abstinence. Our NOSP team provides confidential assessments and outpatient treatment to help you identify what makes you vulnerable to addictive substances and behaviours, to learn new ways of dealing with life challenges, and to reduce any associated negative impacts. Where more intensive treatment is the recommendation from the assessment, we will work with you to make the referrals to other services. Groups In some District of Thunder Bay communities, there are different group options to participate in. Reach out to your local office to inquire about the group options available in your community. Problem Gambling NOSP is here to support individuals who may be impacted or are questioning their gambling activities. NOSP will work with you to explore alternatives and options through community counselling and support. We will work with skill development to manage gambling and related problems. Inpatient referral options also exist for those looking for alternative solutions. Counselling can help people understand why they gamble, so they can stop, cut down or change their gambling. It can also help repair hurt feelings and regain trust with family members. Housing Services At NOSP, Individuals experiencing mental health challenges or substance misuse who are inadequately housed, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless are eligible to access our Housing Case Management Services and/or our Housing Rental Supplement Program. Housing Case Management Services Support Housing Coordinators can assist with: Provision of rental supplement to help fill an existing gap from available rental income and market rent Collaboration and support for landlords and enrolled tenants Case management, coordination and advocacy Treatment Referrals Must have a source of income or be willing to apply for a source of income EASE (Enrichment and Social Engagement) Program EASE is a volunteer-driven program for adults with physical disabilities and/or older adults (55 plus) and their caregivers. Clients of EASE are supported with case management of the EASE Coordinator and connected to an EASE Volunteer who can provide home-visiting and telephone support, regular check-in’s by phone, assistance to community outings and community involvement. The goal of EASE is to reduce isolation by increasing community belonging. The EASE Coordinator actively recruits volunteers and then matches based upon interest with registered EASE clients. Benefits For Recipients Social interaction with a volunteer, including a sense of being connected to the community A companion to share interests, conversation, or hobbies with A compassionate listener A helper to assist them with grocery shopping, getting to the clinic, or doing other minor errands within their community An enjoyable interlude in their day (a new face, someone new to talk to, etc) Benefits For Volunteers A network of peers for support A learning opportunity, both through regular training and workshops and from the clients themselves The opportunity to help seniors in the community and an outlet for your caring nature Purposeful activity and a meaningful pastime that combats loneliness among local seniors The benefit of knowing you are making a difference in someone’s life – and that it’s appreciated! If you are interested in volunteering and/or would like to self-refer for EASE support, contact: 1-877-895-6677 and ask to speak to the EASE Coordinator or email easecoordinator@nosp.on.ca Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinics Our NOSP team members have partnered with a variety of service providers to provide RAAM Clinics throughout the district of Thunder Bay (Nipigon, Marathon and Longlac) (to provide support, in combination with People Advocating for Change and Empowerment (PACE) Peer Support. A rapid access addiction medicine (RAAM) clinic is a low-barrier, walk-in clinic that clients can attend to get help for a substance use without an appointment or formal referral. RAAM clinics provide time-limited medical addiction care (including pharmacotherapy, brief counselling, and referrals to community services). To learn about RAAM services in your community visit: Marathon Family Health Team 22 Peninsula Road, Marathon, ON P0T 2E0 807-229-3243 WEBSITEhttp://mfht.org Nipigon Family Health Team 125 Hogan Rd, Nipigon, ON P0T 2J0 (807) 887-5252 WEBSITEhttps://ndfht.ca/programs-services/ NorWest Community Health Centre 99 Skinner Ave, Longlac, ON P0T 2A0 (807) 876-2271 WEBSITE: https://norwestchc.org/programs-services/raam/ PACE People Advocating for Change and Empowerment (PACE) Peer Support, is available in the District of Thunder Bay (Nipigon, Greenstone, Marathon, Schreiber/Terrace Bay). To learn more about PACE on Facebook. Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Information to add in: NOSP is a service delivery site for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program. Adults in Ontario with depression and anxiety can access free, short-term, evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapy and related services through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program. To learn more and to refer, visit the SJCG website. Grief Support If the loss of a loved one impacts you, please reach out to Hospice Northwest to self-refer for grief support. To learn more and to refer, visit the Hospice Northwest website.