Olga Barrows gets emotional when she talks about people suffering from depression, who are unable to get help.
The Maple Ridge counsellor is hoping her new weekly by-donation group counselling sessions can help more people improve their mental health.
Barrows is a certified counsellor with a practice in Port Coquitlam but lives in Maple Ridge, and wanted to give back. She has found an inviting space at the CEED Centre in Maple Ridge, where people suffering from anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health issues can meet with the group, and hopefully leave feeling better.
She said there are often barriers to people getting counselling for such common troubles as anxiety or depression. The cost for an hour of counselling can range from $120 to $175 per hour, and some people have no coverage, or limits on their coverage. Furthermore, those seeking help often find they will need to wait to get time with a counsellor.
"I'm coming from a place where I feel bothered with how difficult it is to get support," she said, noting people who can't access mental health resources can "fall through the cracks."
"It sucks to suffer with mental health challenges, and to have no support."
In the past, Barrows has volunteered to help people on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. She believes in being of service.
"I didn't go into this profession just because I want employment."
"I feel it's my duty to do more for people," she said. "I have skills – why don't I volunteer in a way that I can use my skills."
She likens her approach to a physician volunteering for Doctors Without Borders.
Her group setting is different than one-on-one counselling. She said people can talk, or choose to listen only, and there's value in it.
"It's validating by proxy, to hear someone describing something you're experiencing," she said.
Speakers also get feedback.
Barrows brings little pom-poms and a jar. The participants get the pom-poms, and when someone says something they agree with, or that resonates with them, they toss a pom-pom into the jar, showing quiet appreciation and support.
"By the end of the meeting, we have a jar full of pom-poms," she said. "They can see the universality of the human experience, and that 'I'm not alone in my struggles.' We normalize and harmonize very private mental health experiences."
Barrows notes the group is not suitable for people who are in an acute mental health crisis, or those who need psychiatric treatment.
She allows that a group setting requires people to be vulnerable, and there can be a level of apprehension.
"It won't work for everybody, but my hope is that it works for some people," said Barrows.
She had a first meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in a "safe and comfortable" setting at the heritage building. The group will meet Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the facility at 11739 223rd St. For information contact olga@feelgoodcounselling.com or text 778-788-4159.