RESEARCH
PTSD RESEARARCH
PROJECT
Working with a local Doctor and Medicine Hat College, Global Village has established a Research project into the incidence and treatment resources available for persons (particularly newcomers) suffering with PTSD
THERAPY
ART THERAPY
PROJECT
The Art Therapy project, with 20 students, ranging in ages from 13 – 18 years, and representing newcomer students from more than 8 countries, was a successful model that can be replicated.
With the cooperation of two local school districts, a local art studio, a private counsellor, and local NGO settlement workers, Global Village implemented this action oriented project.
WELLNESS
HEALING PATH WELLNESS CENTRE
The healing path wellness for newcomers is to increase access and participation for culturally proficient mental health services focusing on those who are marginalized disadvantaged and invisible communities so they can seek help from the trauma they experienced.
HELPING THE COMMUNITY BY CREATING A SAFE AND FRIENDLY SPACE FOR NEWCOMERS
Doors will open on Thursday April 9, 2019 And help the community by creating a safe and friendly space for the newcomers.
PTSD RESEARCH PROJECT
GETTING STARTED – THE COLLABORATION
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Dr. Kadima arrives at the South Shore Clinic in Brooks
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Noted seemingly high number of immigrant individuals potentially with PTSD
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Ahmed Kassem from Global Village and Dr. Kadima approached the college for interest in collaborative research
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Dr. Nicole Burnett, Donna Wood and Dr. Elizabeth Pennefather-O’Brien from Medicine Hat College Main Campus worked with Dr. Kadima and Ahmed Kassem on a proposal for research
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Newcomer mental health training opportunity at the Medicine Hat College as well as further research and education. This important initiative will help reduce family conflict, help those who are suffering in silence, empower newcomers so they can seek help when needed with regards to their health and health of their families. Global Village Centre and Medicine Hat College as well as our partners are committed to breakdown what we consider taboo in the community and to delete the mental health stigma through cultural education and awareness.
HEALING PATH WELLNESS CENTRE
BRIDGING THE GAP
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Promoting mental health literacy.
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Group information sessions on a variety of healthy living topics delivered in small groups with similar ethnic and language groupings.
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Offers up to three individual one-hour counselling sessions, with a certified psychologist accompanied by a cultural mediator. A professional assessment is completed after 1, 2 or 3 sessions and a referral is made to the public mental health services provided by Alberta Health Services or to other private professionals who can coordinate a wrap around care plan for the individual, for further ongoing treatment and support services.
INITIAL SUCCESS STORY
The initial assessment is fee based, because of this, clients seeking out the services offered have been referrals from businesses with an employee assistance benefit plan or with direct financial support from the employer. In one case, a local business reached out for help for one of their employees. The employer became aware of symptoms of anxiety and depression, with consent from the employee, the business asked the Healing Path Wellness Centre to meet with the employee. After developing the trust of the employee, through culturally appropriate language, the initial session turned into three sessions. At that time, an assessment of the employee’s condition was prepared, and a referral was made to Alberta Health Services for further support. Unfortunately, the employee did not continue with that referral because there was not continued cultural mediation support. However, the employer reported back that the initial sessions with the Healing Path Wellness Centre appeared to be successful with a noticeable change in the employee’s behavior.
Committed to breakdown the mental health stigma in the community through cultural education and awareness.
ART THERAPY PROJECT
Traumatic stories can be troubling to overcome. Youth arriving into a new school where they do not speak the language often feel isolated and alone.
Art therapy can be used to increase coping skills. An advantage of art therapy is the ability for a person to express his/her feelings without having to verbalize.
Art therapy uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The creative process helps people resolve issues, manage feelings, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem.
![art therapy poster latest[4513]-1-01.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a5c5a_230349da1a84496899bb3ec9bc2b99c8~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_1258,w_3300,h_2394/fill/w_485,h_352,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/art%20therapy%20poster%20latest%5B4513%5D-1-01.png)
The project was designed to have a healing effect on the artist participants by helping them overcome trauma related to relocating to a new country.
It helped me find a connection to words, art and my past
The thing I found most valuable was that everyone is different because of our backgrounds
... able to express how I experienced the life of entering a new country