Kelowna based charity receives additional supports for mental health programs

A new collaboration between Third Space Charity and Switch Research, will be offering “self-love” journals and a 90-day wellness program to all its student intern counsellors and their clients at no cost.

Third Space Charity has been serving the community since 2012 and works as a ‘third space’ outside of home, and provides free counselling to young adults from 18 to 29.

Last year, the charity provided more than 1,600 counselling sessions to 275 clients, and a total of 12 student interns participated in the practicum training program.

Switch Research works with a variety of mental health specialists to distribute different resources to help individuals struggling with mental health issues.

The self-love journal and program are designed to help people reframe insecurities, eliminate negative thought patterns, and start living a more compassionate, self-positive life.

“We’re so grateful Switch Research offered to donate this product and program as part of nurturing deeper mental wellness in counselling clients and the frontline workers who support them,” said Third Space Charity executive director Karen Mason.

“To work with a local company that shares our vision of a community where mental wellness is prioritized and quality, mental health care services are accessible to everyone is exciting, and we know this collaboration will make a difference in many lives,” said Mason.

Switch is committed to offering only evidence based tools, and their self-love program is currently being evaluated by researchers at Brock University.

According to statistics Canada between September and December of 2020, one in five Canadians over the age of 18 screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

If you or someone you know is struggling you can contact Third Space Society, or if you are in immediate need of care you can contact your local crisis support line.