Regina’s Mental Health and Addictions Services teams successfully vaccinate clients
More than 600 – that’s the number of people who have been vaccinated by the Adult Mental Health Services and Addiction Treatment Centre teams in Regina. At first glance this number may not seem like a lot, but it’s approximately 600 people who would not have been vaccinated otherwise. That’s because these individuals are unlikely to attend COVID-19 vaccination drive-thrus, walk-in clinics or booked appointments due to limited access to transportation, technology and other personal supports.
“Some patients who live with a severe and persistent mental illness would find a mass immunization clinic stressful,” said Kathy Willerth, Director of Mental Health and Addictions Services in Regina. “As these patients already have regular contact with our staff, who has worked hard to establish a trusting relationship with them, we are able to vaccinate them during existing appointments, as well as address any vaccine hesitancy they may have.
“In the area of addictions,” Willerth continued, “we are able to assist a unique population that has experienced the negative effects of long-term drug and alcohol consumption, colonization, residential schools and adverse childhood experiences, to get vaccinated.”
In addition, the mental health and addictions teams have realized their vaccine roll out plan is an opportunity to put into practice their commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
“Some of the research coming out indicates that we need to understand both the historical experience of vaccines and health services, and the influence of a traditional Indigenous worldview on the motivations for getting vaccinated. This has been a key component to addressing vaccine hesitancy in our population,” explained Willerth.
By identifying this niche population, teams in Mental Health and Addictions Services have been successful in providing first doses to individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses when they come to the clinic to receive their medication, to individuals who use substances when accessing the detox programs, and to clients living in mental health approved private homes and the operators who run the homes.
“We continue to find people who don’t yet have their first vaccine, so our efforts continue,” Willerth said, adding that it may take more than one conversation before a client agrees to accept the vaccine. “It really is a conversation, not a question. Having an Elder on the team to assist with some of the conversations has been invaluable.”