Social Paediatrics in Saskatoon in Association with St. Mary's

In order to improve accessibility of services for clients who have not typically had
adequate access to mental health services, Dr. Willick has adopted an outreach/schoolbased
mental health model. Whenever necessary, clients are seen at their schools for
regular visits, including meeting parents within the school environment when family
involvement is possible. Home visits are also necessary at times and welcomed by those
families who would otherwise have to transport small children by bus or by walking
several blocks. For many of the families, getting to regular (weekly) visits is a hardship
on parents who are employed, have responsibilities to younger children or who are taking
post-secondary education themselves. An outreach model is logistically difficult, and it
necessarily means seeing fewer clients per day than could be seen in a clinic office.
However, the success of this model is apparent when considering that many of these
clients would not receive treatment at all if they were not seen within their schools.
Although it is challenging to include parents in regular follow-up visits in this model,
attempts are always made to maintain contact with parents by telephone and follow-up
visits whenever possible.
Challenges:
The most significant limitation of relying on private billing sources is the
restrictions this places on who can and cannot be seen for psychological services.
Ideally, any and all disadvantaged children and youth who are in need of psychological
counselling or therapy should be able to access these services. For example, the
paediatricians frequently see immigrant, Métis, or majority culture children and youth
who cannot access Dr. Willick's services via her current billing sources. As well, private
billing sometimes places restrictions on the number of sessions available and the type of
services that can be provided (e.g., no funding for cognitive assessments, group therapy,
psychoeducation groups, or general consultation to teachers that is not related to a
specific child). Alternative funding and partnerships are being sought to remedy these
restrictions and disparities.
The need for clinical psychology services for disadvantaged children and youth is
immense, and the gaps within the existing system are clear to anyone working with this
population. Dr. Willick’s referrals and wait times have been increasing steadily. There is
a clear need for additional psychologists and other mental health professionals working
within a school-based model that encompasses both of the school systems as well as
partnerships with the Ministry of Social Services, Addiction Services, and the Justice
System. Only when each of these crucial elements come together will it be possible to
say that we are fully addressing the mental health disparity that exists for disadvantaged
populations.
© Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division 2011 30