Victoria Counsellors Launch Innovative Project to Enhance Mental Health Access

Victoria-based clinical counsellor Christa Martel has initiated a transformative project aimed at improving access to mental health care. Frustrated by the challenges her friend faced in navigating the mental health system, Martel, along with a group of fellow counsellors, launched Let’s Talk Access. This community-based initiative focuses on empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to seek appropriate mental health support.

The project emphasizes what Martel describes as “pre-therapy literacy.” It aims to equip people with the language and understanding necessary to make informed decisions about their mental health care. Central to this initiative is a three-part podcast mini-series created in Victoria, which received funding through a storytelling initiative. The series follows three individuals as they attempt to access therapy without prior guidance, documenting their experiences in real time.

Participants in the podcast quickly encountered challenges. Many reported feeling confused and lost amid unfamiliar terminology and extensive lists of therapeutic approaches. Issues of cost also emerged as a significant barrier. Martel pointed out that mental health care is often undervalued, influenced by societal stigma that suggests emotional labor should be less expensive. She argues that therapeutic work, particularly trauma-focused therapy, has inherent costs and should not be expected to be free.

According to Martel, government involvement is crucial in addressing these financial barriers. “People accessing mental health should have support similar to housing,” she stated, emphasizing the need for government subsidies in mental health treatments.

The podcast is structured to serve both as a narrative series and a practical guide. The first episode delves into understanding various therapeutic models and how life experiences, such as childhood trauma and family dynamics, shape mental health. The second episode is dedicated to guidance on finding therapists, including tips on searching for providers, critically reading profiles, and effective questioning during interviews. The final episode addresses what occurs once someone enters therapy, focusing on recognizing whether the therapy is effective and how to exit a therapeutic relationship that isn’t beneficial.

The series not only provides valuable information but also features participants’ journeys, allowing listeners to follow along closely. Each episode is paired with a written guide that includes summaries, reflective questions, and prompts for listeners to apply their learning.

In contrast to automated matching systems used by platforms like BetterHelp, Martel stressed the importance of retaining decision-making power with the individual. She noted that while these systems can be useful, they often require trust in an external process, which can lead to uncertainty if matches do not work out.

Let’s Talk Access draws from Indigenous and Celtic storytelling traditions, collaborating with local communities and knowledge keepers to create an engaging learning environment through narrative and art. This approach was highlighted at a community benefit night held in Fernwood in December 2023. Supported by the Fernwood Community Arts Association, the event featured performances, art donations, and contributions from local businesses, raising both funds and awareness for the project.

If ample funding is secured, each participant in the recorded group will receive $2,000 to apply towards mental health support of their choice. Martel notes that there is no recorded precedent in Canada for a program that provides participants with funds after equipping them to choose their own form of care. “We try to give power back to people,” she stated.

Recruitment for the first recorded group is open until February 12, 2024, with eight spots available. Recording is scheduled to begin in mid-February. Martel hopes to transform listeners into informed mental health advocates, ensuring that fewer individuals feel lost or overwhelmed in their search for effective care.

Through Let’s Talk Access, Martel and her team are paving the way for a more accessible and understanding approach to mental health care.