TEKANIKONRAHWA:KON PROGRAM UPDATE

The Tekanikonrahwa:kon Program (Bringing our minds together as one) was developed to assist individuals and/or families in the community to reach their highest level of wholistic health. The program assists the community in finding a source to help with medical, physical, spiritual and/or mental health issues.  The emphasis of the program is to take a cultural approach that also incorporates western healing methods. 

Individuals should contact the Tekanikonrahwa:kon Program if you:

  • Find yourself feeling overwhelmed by feelings of anger or despair and you cannot enjoy life anymore.
  • Cannot “get over” the loss of someone you loved very much. 
  • Have anxiety, are stressed, depression, trouble sleeping, nervousness, repetitive thoughts, impaired functions, trouble at work or home. 
  • Experiencing troublesome relations with family and friends.Family and/or friends have told you that your drinking/drug use is too much. 
  • You are feeling suicidal. 
  • You are feeling disconnected or empty. 
  • You are experiencing physical problems that doctors have no answers to. 

 

Although the Tekanikonrahwa:kon Program is now open, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited access to the public. The community’s patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated during these trying times, and we ask that everyone remains considerate and adheres to the MCA Respect in the Workplace Policy as well as guidelines from the E.O.C. The Tekanikonrahwa:kon Program wants to provide you with the utmost care by keeping community members and staff safe and healthy.

 

The Tekanikonrahwa:kon Program is offering appointments via telephone or virtually through video.  The telehealth platform our service providers are using is called Doxy.me. This platform is very user friendly. It is comparable to a Facetime call the difference is this is a secure platform.  Doxy.me meets the security and privacy requirements to ensure that sessions remain confidential.  If you have poor transmission, no access to wifi or are not able to ensure your privacy, tele-mental health may not be right for you. However, the Tekanikonrahwa:kon Program is also allowing in person appointments for clients who are properly triaged and assessed to be in an emergent need or special circumstance.  Please be advised that virtual visits are limited, and if you are experiencing distress, please contact a medical professional or attend the nearest emergency room. 

 

If you feel that Doxy.me is convenient for you please speak with your provider and here is helpful tips for making a virtual call:

  • Log in about 5-10 minutes earlier to ensure the call is connected.
  • Informed consent will be explained and verbal permission to continue with the understanding that therapy is voluntary. 
  • The usual exceptions to privacy apply. 
  • Risks and consequences associated with using video or telephone conferencing. 
  • No recording will be made of online sessions by either party. 
  • To ensure confidentiality, please find a private space with minimal distractions. 
  • Sessions will be 45 to 55 minutes in duration. 
  • Client understands the responsibility of providing the required and working technology.
  • Emergency contact person is named and a number is given.

 

 

MEET THE MENTAL HEALTH STAFF

 

MELISSA JACOBS-SWAMP, MS, RSW, NBCC

Melissa Jacobs-Swamp is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, as well as the Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des therapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Quebec.  She is in the process of applying for additional licensure within Quebec.  She is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, where she received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees.  She was a member of the 2011 graduating class for the Master of Science in Mental Health Community Counseling.  She has worked with MCA for over 16 years in various roles throughout the organization.  Starting in January 2018, she began working with the Wholistic Health and Wellness Mental Health Program.  Given her background working with elders at the MCA Home Care & Home Support, she has special Interests in geriatric counseling and legal matters, such as: capacity, ethics, and caregiver supports.  Since working with Wholistic Health and Wellness, she has expanded her work to include: trauma, grief recovery, anxiety, and depression.  She also works collaboratively with contract health providers for psychology, and psychiatry.  Another part of her professional duties include community outreach, which she enjoys and finds to be an important part of her work. 

Melissa is currently working out of the main office at the Kanonhkwa’tsheri:io Health Facility from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  She can be reached by phone at 613-575-2341 ext. 3115.

 

WENNIETANORON OAKES, M.Ed., R.P. ,C.C.P.A.

Wennietanoron Oakes is a registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and licensed with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association in Ontario. She has been practicing for 5 years and currently works at Wholistic Health and Wellness Mental Health Program since September 2019. She is in the process of applying for additional licensure within Quebec.  She is a graduate of University of Ottawa, where she received both her graduate degrees in education and Counselling psychology. She has worked for MCA more specifically the AMBE program for 19 years in various roles from teacher assistant, immersion teacher, specialist teacher and lastly a school counselor. She has contributed by teaching the Kanienkeha language in the Skahwatsira program for 11 of those years. Her background includes working with youth, teens and families and most recently, helping elders and adults with their mental health needs.  Another part of her professional duties include community outreach, which she enjoys and finds to be an important part of her work whether it be locally or in surrounding areas.  She is currently working with the “Embrace Project”, and the Youth Wellness Hub in Cornwall. Wennietanoron passion is working with youth and teens and she shared that approximately 1 in 5 children and youth in Ontario have a mental health challenge. It is also estimated that about 70% of mental health challenges have their onset in childhood. Children and youth show their problems in different areas of their lives and in a variety of ways. For example, a child or adolescent who functions well at home may face challenges in another setting, such as in the classroom or with peers that may negatively impact their mental health. Some young people may show signs of anxiety or depression, while others may exhibit aggression (www.cmha.ca). Other interests include grief, loss, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, schizophrenia are among the many areas she works with.

Wennietanoron is currently working from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  She can be reached by phone at 613-575-2341 ext. 3110.

 

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