RAPID ACCESS COUNSELLING CLINICS
Beginning in 2019, FSSask has been delivering Rapid Access Counselling clinics across the province in collaboration with Saskatchewan Health Authority. Rapid Access Counselling was developed as a part of the continuum of community based mental health care to decrease barriers to mental health service and increase accessibility for those requiring care in a timely manner. FSSask is committed to transparency and sharing the impact Rapid Access Counselling has across the province of Saskatchewan.
2022-2023 RAPID ACCESS COUNSELLING CLINIC DATA SNAPSHOT
CLINIC LOCATIONS
- FSSask determines clinic locations with feedback from member organizations to ensure clinics are broadly accessible across the province. In 2023, clinics were available in 23 communities across Saskatchewan. Virtual service are available to any Saskatchewan resident, no matter where they are in the province.
CLINIC UTILIZATION
- FSSask provided 9180 sessions with 9617 people being served through Clinics.
- This is an increase of 1876 sessions over 2021-2022
- The increased utilization is attributed to a high need for mental health services and as well as improvements in our ability to promote services and connect people with clinics through the online booking platform
FILLING THE GAP IN SERVICES
- FSSask asks people being served to report where they would have gone if not for Rapid Access Counselling
- Data shows that: 43% of participants had no other option. That means they might not have sought early intervention and may have presented in a setting for care only when the issue becomes acute
- 224 participants attended a Rapid Access Counselling session instead of their Emergency Department.
REFERRAL SOURCES
- FS Sask does not require individuals to be formally referred to the services
- Physicians are aware of FS Sask services and are referring to Rapid Access Counselling more than Community Organizations
- 458 individuals attended Rapid Access Clinics after being referred from Saskatchewan Health Authority
TOPICS DISCUSSED
The top five topics discussed during Rapid Access Counselling were Mental Health concerns such as anxiety and depression (26%), stress (12%), relationship issues (19%), trauma (8%), and grief and loss (7%).
CLIENT FEEDBACK
- In 2022-202, FS Sask incorporated a post-service survey that is sent to every person who books through the online platform
- 734 surveys were completed