Accessing free mental health support in times of need

Stephanie* recently moved to uptown Saint John with her 13-year-old son to escape from an unhealthy domestic violence situation with her son’s father. He didn’t know where they lived, but she constantly lived in fear that he might find them. Then one day her worst nightmare came true.

“My son was waiting at the bus stop one morning on his way to school when his father found him and verbally and physically attacked him and publicly threatened to kill us both,” she recalls. “My son luckily made it back home okay, but we both slipped into a heavy-duty depression.”

Stephanie had recently started a new job in a public-facing role in Saint John and was terrified that her ex would find her. Her bags were constantly packed in case he showed up and they had to flee, and they had cameras installed in their home.

“I had heard that he was dealing weapons,” she says. “Living in constant fear was driving our depression.”

The incident led Stephanie to leave her job, resulting in financial difficulties, and she was at an all-time low mentally.

While visiting a local community organization in Saint John, she came across a postcard for three free counselling sessions with Just Us – a New Brunswick-based mental health charity offering free and low-cost counselling to those in need. The first three one-hour sessions are completely free, and after that they are just $20 each.

Since she wasn’t working at the time and couldn’t afford the hefty price tag that came along with therapy, she thought it was a great opportunity to speak to someone about her crisis to help guide her on the next steps.

Stephanie met with Raisa, a counselling intern with Just Us, and attended four sessions with her.

“Counselling was very impactful and such a positive experience,” recalls Stephanie. “Raisa very much encouraged movement safely. She always had my safety in mind and so we discussed safety plans together which was very beneficial and helped reduce some of my fear and anxiety. We also discussed ways to boost my confidence and how to deal with my insecurity.”

After working with Raisa for four sessions, Stephanie told herself she was going to live without fear. She had the confidence to leave the house, look for a new job and be more active in her community and social circles.

“I got a new job and about a month later, my son’s father attacked him on his way home from school. He went to the hospital and his father was charged with assault, but I got fired from my job because I was absent due to the incident.”

Stephanie explains that Victim Services set her up with domestic violence counselling and was stunned when she found out that her counsellor was Raisa, who had recently completed her internship with Just Us. Stephanie and her son are now working with Raisa with support from Victim Services.

Stephanie says she is grateful for free counselling services like Just Us because they are integral to positive mental health in the community.

“2024 is so expensive, and so having a free service like this is integral to our community. It gives us a place to land when we’re not feeling well. I cannot emphasize enough how important this service is.”

To access free mental health counselling, learn more about our services or book an appointment.

*name changed to protect identity