PCHS Testimonials:

Addiction Program
“I gained very good knowledge about my relationship to my
children… I learned how to understand different cultures between
parents and kids. The program also helped me a lot in dealing with
my depression and I no longer take anti-depressants. I learned how
to deal with stress better in family and work life. I recommend the
program to others, especially those with children.”
– 41 year old Male

Family Enhancement Program
“We learned about stress management, boundaries. Forgiveness and
the effects of domestic violence on families. Through these sessions,
we learned about the cycles of violence and how to control anger.
We created safety plans and learned how to maintain a healthy
environment at home…. the concepts we learned helped us in our
daily life…we are starting to move forward in making our
relationships better.”
– 40 & 34 year old Couple

Mental Health Program
” Thank you for all your assistance through my hard time. Please
accept our sincere gratitude for your help during our family crisis, my
family and myself we all are very grateful for all your help and
support … thank you for understanding my situation and considering
my financial status…[it] gave me strength to stabilize my own
health…now I will be able to focus on my job and my family life.”
– 34 year old Female

Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) Calgary is a non-profit organization focused on providing culturally-specific and client-centred supportive programming to the South Asian community in areas of:Addiction, Mental Health and Family Enhancement/Violence Prevention. PCHS Calgary’s primary function is to provide one-on-one, group counselling and ongoing case management.  PCHS extends to providing community outreach/education/awareness and peer support initiatives. Bridging service gaps between the mainstream population to the marginalized South Asian population in providing services from a cultural lens and understanding. Our services are provided with cultural sensitivity and linguistic competency.

Our Vision: Thriving Communities

Our Mission: To empower individuals and families to nurture healthy communities

PCHS administers programming with a rooted understanding of the South Asian collective and community based ideology. The organization has been operational since 2015 and based on the model of PCHS Ontario which has been providing services for over 30 years.

The Sahara Family Support Program was created in response to the South Asian communities need for intervention and support in a variety of areas. This program recognises the unique needs of a collectivist culture in a Western context. Thus, all services within this program provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services that deeply understand the collective consciousness of South Asians.

The Model

SFSP is based on the Integrated Holistic Service Delivery Model (IHSDM). This model combines the interventions that are most applicable to the client to facilitate a wrap-around experience in services. PCHS Calgary currently provides supports in the areas of mental health, addiction and family enhancement. Where there are gaps in service, PCHS Calgary has cultivated collaborations and partnerships to bridge and facilitate continuity of care. The SFSP continues to have a robust outreach and partnership building component that helps facilitates this client care.

Competitive Edge

This program is based on meeting needs specific to the South Asian demographic. There are three ways in which the SFSP provides specialized support.

1.    Flexibility: care is provided to the client at a time and in a space that is most comfortable to them. The SFSP does not adopt one approach over another but rather takes a client-centered perspective, meeting the client where they are at.
2.    Cultural Competence: the SFSP encompasses a deep understanding of cultural nuances and consciousness that govern values, behaviours and outcomes.
3.    Circle of Care: the SFSP connects with the clients existing support networks including one member from the client’s family, through informed consent. This wrap-around understanding helps empower individuals and families to cultivate healthier relationships and community.

As an organization PCHS- Calgary provides the South Asian community a variety of supports in the areas of mental health, addictions and family enhancement in a culturally competent manner and with appropriate linguistic supports. The programs and services offered to the community are developed and administered from a holistic approach with a client-centered and strength-based focus. PCHS offers one-on-one counselling, group sessions, peer support and outreach to the larger community. The aim is to empower individuals and families to lead healthy enriched happy lives.  PCHS offers all counselling, group sessions and programs free of charge to the South Asian community.

One-on-One Counselling-PCHS provides case management to clients who require clinical and therapeutic counselling and specialized support with specific needs that are case-by-case based. The counselling can be for individual(s) directly affected by mental health issues, family violence or alcohol/drug addictions. Services are also extended to family members struggling in supporting an individual in these areas and requiring assistance in attaining practical tools to cope and support.

Group Sessions-An array of 14-16 week group sessions are offered with various focal points at off-site locations easily accessible to participants.

• Sahara Men’s Domestic Violence Group– is a psychoeducational program that educates and assists participants by addressing underlying attitudes and beliefs towards domestic violence. PCHS Counsellors provide skills to participants in adopting new ways of resolving conflict and managing anger. Facilitated group discussions provide ongoing support, educational and interactive activities. Topics addressed within this group include Identifying abuse, myths, power and control, equality, the cycle of violence and control, anger management, effects of violence on children, nurturing children, healthy sexuality, effective and non-abusive communication skills.

•  Sahara Alcohol/Drug Addiction Support Group– aids and supports individual and family members who are addressing problems associated with alcohol and drug addiction. Facilitated group discussions covered within this program include Identifying addiction, addictive disease, physical addiction, personality traits, defense mechanisms, progression and recovery, stages of change, drinking and driving, relapse prevention, and self-awareness

•  Sahara Opioids Addiction Support Group- offers facilitated group discussions providing ongoing support with a specific focus on the nuances of opioids use and the short term and   long-term effects, Identifying addiction, opioid use, brain and addiction, addiction and the body, maintenance therapies for opioid addiction, legal consequences, defense mechanisms, self-esteem and confidence, stages of change, relapse prevention and family life are some of the issues addressed in a group environment.

• Relapse Prevention Group- is for all three areas of alcohol, drug and opioid addiction. These groups focus on prevention strategies and recovery, understanding life after addiction, and learning to administer tools to maintain sobriety. Providing clients/families with knowledge on: resources, identifying triggers, coping with high-risk situations, managing stress, healthy alternatives and personal engagement in managing the recovery process are highlighted.

•  Women’s Mental Health and Wellness Group assists participants in coping with mental health issues and proactively minimizing negative effects by using different strategies and coping mechanisms. Focusing on de-stigmatization, networking, breaking through barriers of isolation, promoting self-worth, understanding mental illness and living to one’s full capacity despite mental health challenges

• Women’s Domestic Violence Group is focused on women who have experienced domestic violence and is a trauma-informed and safe space for women to share their experiences. Topics include understanding the cycle of violence, identifying different types of abuse, community resources available, safety plans, self-care and healthy reconciliation are explored. There is also a strong networking component for participants to connect and build supportive social circles

Peer Support Program– A shared mutual connection based on a shared lived experience by providing social emotional non-therapeutic support to PCHS clients in the areas of addiction, mental health and domestic
violence. Trained Peer Support Volunteers through one-on-one support/group facilitation will
assist clients feel empowered, connected and understood on their journey of recovery. Encouraging hope and healing empathetically as a positive role models and understanding
confidants.

Community Outreach-Outreach is an essential component to accessing clients in need of services as some are unaware of the agency and the important services it offers. Community Outreach has the main objectives of heightening awareness of mental health, addictions, family conflict and domestic violence. Also, increasing an understanding of how to access supports, creating partnerships and identifying the evolving needs within the community.

There are many ways to be involved at Punjabi Community Health Services Calgary.

1. Donate PCHS Calgary relies on charitable contributions to continue our mission to help families and individuals obtain support.  We appreciate support from individuals, families and business donations.

Help Fund PCHS Direct Services:

1 Counselling Session $150
1 Group Session (for 8 clients) $300
1 Peer Support Volunteer (recruit & train) $350
1 Family Counselling (1 cycle of 6 sessions) $900
1 Group Counselling Program (16 sessions) $480

Help Fund PCHS Program Support Costs:

Coffee and Snacks for One Group Session $35
Meal for 1 Opioid Group Session $45

Transportation/Bus Tickets for 1 Peer Support Volunteer per/month$30
PCHS Brochures Annually (Per Program) $100
Sponsor PCHS at a Community Event or Community Workshop $250

Help with PCHS Office Space/Technology: – Name Recognition (optional)

Sponsor a Board Room for 1 Year $10,000
Sponsor a Counselling Room for 1 Year $5,000
1 Laptop per Staff Member (x10) $10, 000
PCHS Office Rental (x12) $6000/month
Technology (phones, data, internet) $750/month
Printing $600/year
Case Management System – Penelope $10 500/year

2. Volunteer: PCHS is thrilled to have Volunteers as a part of our team. We have always prided ourselves on having dedicated, committed and passionate Volunteers. As an integral part of the PCHS framework we are grateful to our Volunteers who make it possible.

For more information on how you can help support our vision of fostering Thriving Communities, please visit our website. You support is greatly appreciated.