A peer navigator program: connecting refugees to care and community

Description:

In response to the multiple and persistent barriers that newcomer patients face in navigating the health and social service systems in Toronto, the Crossroads Refugee Health Clinic at Women’s College Hospital piloted a Peer Navigator role focused on increasing its newcomer patients’ access to health, social and community resources.

Join us to learn how this innovative program is making a positive on impact on the wellbeing of newcomer refugees. This webinar will provide an overview of the Peer Navigator program model, its conception and evolution, and results from an evaluation of the program impacts. Discussion and Q+A will include success and challenges faced in implementing a peer navigator program in a healthcare setting.

Presenters:

Ellen Tang, Social Worker, Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto

Ellen provides psychosocial assessment and mental health counselling services as part of the Crossroads Refugee Health Clinic team. She received her training as a clinician at the University of Toronto and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH). She has an interest in culturally responsive mental health services, the social determinants of health, and migrant justice. She is a member of the Health and Mental Health Working Group of the Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership.

Semhar Musael, Peer Navigator, Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital.

My name is Semhar Musael, I work as a Patient Peer Navigator at the Crossroads Clinic at Women’s College Hospital. This is a new role which was implemented one year ago to provide peer support to our newcomer patients. The role focuses on providing connection support to patients with external health care providers and also with social service providers/community resources. As a newcomer myself (I came to Canada 2 and half years ago) I saw how challenging it is to navigate the health care system here in Canada. I was wondering if Me, being educated with prior exposure to the western world is being challenged this much, how can a person with a language barrier and no prior experience survive. I love doing my job as we are making real changes in people’s lives and easing the hard road newcomers are passing through.