We Are IH: MHSU clinician humbled by client transformations

Colette began her career in counselling in 2005 working in the non-profit sector at two different agencies supporting mental health and substance use clientele. One of these positions was at John Howard Society, providing support to individuals on probation, parole and those exiting the corrections system.

“I valued my time working at the community level and being a part of the non-profit sector, as these experiences have more than enriched my professional life,” she says. “Having exposure to the marginalized and less fortunate in our community has been a profound experience that I continue to carry with me throughout my career.”

In 2017, she joined IH, initially working at Kelowna General Hospital, then transferring to Outreach Urban Health where she covered a social work position supporting the street population. This led to an entirely new and unique role working from the safe consumption recreational vehicle.

“I spent two years working ‘on the bus’ and supported Kelowna’s most vulnerable from a trauma-informed and harm reduction lens,” recalls Colette.

Just before the pandemic, she joined the substance use team as an outreach clinician and worked full time in that role as she completed her Master of Social Work through the University of Waterloo.

Her current role in the Integrated Treatment Team involves meeting people in person either at her office, in a community setting or in private residences. She provides clients with counselling for substance use and mental health, helps them formulate personalized goals, and takes steps with them to meet these goals.

“Treatment referrals, accessing withdrawal management support, referrals to other resources, accessing our substance use groups and one-on-one support are some other duties that I perform daily with my clients," Colette says. "Linking with medical and other counselling supports such as addictions doctors, trauma, and grief counselling are also a large part of what happens in my day to day.”
 

Colette also holds a spot on the coordinated access meeting table with BC Housing, which houses individuals in the Kelowna area in the supportive housing units across the community. Being a part of this table is a vital role she values deeply.

Colette’s life outside of work is equally varied and busy. She prioritizes spending time with her husband, daughter Kensey, aged 13, son Kendal, aged 10, and dog, Scout. She is an avid hiker, and enjoys paddle boarding, camping and mountain biking in the summer. Wintertime means downhill skiing, and the family can often be found shredding the slopes at Big White. 

“It brings me joy and gratitude to be able to live and work in such a beautiful place.”

“Lauren is an occupational therapist with MHSU, primarily the substance use team, and has been with IH a long time. She is an amazing collaborator, is knowledgeable, and supportive of teams, and just an all-around lovely human.” – Colette Mayne 

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