Social Workers/ Mental Health Counsellors help people develop skills that will assist them in solving problems in their day-to-day lives and in their community. Social Workers work closely with your family physician and other interdisciplinary team members to provide you with various counselling and social emotional support services.
The Social Worker or Mental Health Counsellor of the Powassan & Area Family Health Team provides short-term, solution focused counselling interactions. Your healthcare provider will refer you to the Social Worker for one to one counselling, couples counselling and/or group education.
Social/ Mental Health Workers are concerned with the interactions between people and the institutions of society that affect the ability of people to accomplish life tasks, realize aspirations and values, and alleviate distress.
When to refer to the Family Health Team Social/ Mental Health Worker
- Patient needs short term counselling (up to 8 interactions) regarding mobilizing existing strengths/resources, referral to other providers and/or advocacy for required services.
- Patients discharged from hospital who require Social Work support but do not qualify for CCAC may also be referred.
- Liaison with the broader mental health system to ensure continuity of care for patients requiring more intensive interventions.
Three major purposes of social work are:
- To enhance the problem-solving, coping and developmental capacities of people
- To promote the effective and humane operation of the systems that provide people with resources and services
- To link people with systems that provide them with resources, services, and opportunities
Social/ Mental Health Workers are available to provide assistance with a variety of presenting concerns:
- Depression
- Stress/anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Marital/relationship problems
- Work or school related problems
- Parenting
- Chronic disease management
The Social or Mental health Worker works with patients in need of psychosocial help. An assessment is made of the patient's psychosocial functioning and interventions are suggested as needed.
Interventions may include connecting patients to appropriate resources and supports in the community, providing psychotherapy, supportive counseling, grief counseling, anxiety management, stress management, and chronic pain management.
Resources and Links
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers
The Ontario Association of Social Workers
Canadian Mental Health Association
Anxiety Resources
Cognitive Behavioral Skills