The Southern Health-Sante Sud health region is providing one-time, walk-in counselling sessions. The focus will be to help people overcome a selection of issues that can lead to poor mental health.

Regional manager for the community mental health program Tracy Pulak-D'Aoust says these sessions will run on a first-come, first-served basis. She outlines what to expect with these new walk-ins.

"They are single, 60-minute sessions," says Pulak-D'Aoust. "They will be eligible for all residents of Southern Health, ages 16 and above."

In Steinbach, walk-ins are available at the Crisis Stabilization Unit at 450 Main Street on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

She adds there are many different reasons for people attending these sessions, whether they have a new challenge they want to overcome, or if they want to start on a healthier path. She goes into detail on how the walk-in format will work better for most people.

"In some of the areas in the province there are lengthy wait lists for mental health services and this is very much a systemic issue. So, a lot of organizations are looking towards offering more of a walk-in or brief type of service," explains Pulak D'Aoust. "This is to make services more accessible to people, so walk-ins really can be for anybody."