The Well program operates out of our Medicine Hat office and serves vulnerable women in the community.
These women might be experiencing pregnancy, might need support accessing birth control or might need support in working with Child and Family Services.
The Well program launched in 2019 and so it is fairly new to SafeLink. In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, SafeLink completed a study which had 112 female identifying clients participate. Of those clients 19%, which is 21 individuals, disclosed pregnancy.
- 88% of participants identified needing help with health concerns
- 97% identified needing help with access to STBBI testing
- 81% identified needing help with accessing various substance use services
The study also saw over-representation of:
- Individuals who are using substances
- Indigenous people
- Individuals with mental health concerns
- Individuals experiencing barriers to service
Substance users face a lot of stigma, and pregnant women who are using substances are especially stigmatized. The Well team has witnessed first-hand the stigma involved with health care professionals. None of the clients wish to attend appoints alone because they fear how they will be treated. Several times health providers only address the Well support staff rather than the client. The Well team can support clients to ensure that they receive appropriate medical care – this is especially important for our pregnant clients.
The Well program is able to provide a number of services to individuals experiencing barriers:
- Basic needs – we can provide clients with limited healthy snacks, transportation to appointments, as well as parenting and prenatal supplies such as diapers and prenatal vitamins.
- Attending medical appointments – Many of our clients fear being stigmatized by health care professionals and receive poor treatment. Many of them have had bad experiences with doctors in the past. Having support at their appointments allow us to advocate for them and ensure they receive good medical care. We will also attend other appointments such as housing, court and meetings with Child and Family Services.
- Nursing assessments and case management – Well has a part time nurse who can answer medical questions and provide assessments. Well also has a full-time case manager who will follow all aspects of the client’s case.
- Education with a harm reduction approach – we will provide education on reproductive health, sexual health, harm reduction and prenatal care for our clients.
- Referrals, connections and warm hand offs – When our clients require a service that we cannot provide, we will find the right program to fit their needs and provide a warm hand off whenever possible.
- And of course emotional support – Pregnancy can be an emotional time for any woman, but it can be especially emotional when it’s unplanned and you are not in a position to parent.