Russell Robicheau
The Pantry Program
Nowadays more than ever, the work done by the Outpatient Community Mental Health & Addiction Program is vital for our community. Russell Robicheau (Manager of Southwest Outpatient Adult, Child & Adolescent Clinics) spoke with us to discuss some of the challenges in their work – and an interesting way that the foundation was able to help.
As Russell explains, “Dr Sara Bartel is one of our doctoral psychologists, and she works with folks with complex eating disorders. Sometimes part of that treatment means they need to eat a meal in front of her as part of their exposure work, and our patients are expected to bring in the food. But sometimes they’ll come in on the day and say, “I just didn’t really have money to afford that”.”
Seeing the need experienced by many of their patients is impactful for the team at the clinic. “People carry shame about being in a precarious financial situation,” says Russell. “And it’s impossible to provide effective mental health treatment for folks when their everyday life is so significantly impacted. So, we got a grant through the foundation to start our pantry program.”
The Yarmouth Hospital Foundation was happy to step in and help, all thanks to our generous donors. Two pantries were installed (one at the adult clinic, and one at the children’s clinic), enabling patients to access food when they need it – either for use during treatment at the clinic or just to bring home. “We keep the pantry fully stocked every week. If our patients are at an appointment with one of their clinical therapists or with a psychiatrist, they can open the cupboard and grab what they need on their way. Often, they’re malnourished, or they had to skip lunch to afford the drive over here, so they’re able to have a bit of sustenance and keep their body fully nourished. Then they’re able to focus on what needs to be done.”
One of the two pantries.
But even a pantry has its limits. Russell tells us more. “We also received a grant for $10,000 from the foundation to provide grocery gift cards for people who are unable to afford the food needed as part of their treatment (which happens a home, and includes three meals a day with high protein, etc.). Our goal is usually to get our patients to gain weight, especially when they’re significantly underweight and at risk of being hospitalized. But often, with the cost of groceries being what it is, they’re unable to do it. So, we will give an average of $800 per client in grocery gift cards for the full duration of treatment. It’s been a huge benefit.”
Russell is proud of the work done in his department. “I want people who really need mental health assessment and treatment to be able to access it and not have their financial situation hinder them. So, if we can help with the pantry or by providing the grocery cards for the people on the eating disorder treatment plan, we can just do that. And the foundation has been instrumental, we wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
