Breastfeeding | Chestfeeding

Southern Health-Santé Sud believes breastfeeding and chestfeeding is good for the health of the population as a whole. We protect, support, and promote breastfeeding through our contact with parents and their infants, as well as with groups and communities. Many health authorities including, the World Health Organization, the Canadian Pediatric Society and Health Canada recommend that:

• Babies be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months
• Begin offering nutritious solid foods at 6 months of age
• Breastfeeding continues for 2 years or longer

For information and support, contact your local Public Health Nurse. Breastfeeding support is available 24 hours a day through the provincial hotline 204-788-8667 or toll free at Health Links-Info Santé 1-888-315-9257.

Here are some additional resources:

• Baby’s Best Chance
• Baby Friendly Manitoba
• Breastfeeding Your Baby
• Breastfeeding Videos
• 10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed
• 10 Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding
• Infant Formula
• Attend a breastfeeding support group in your area such as La Leche League

Healthy Baby

The Healthy Baby program encourages early regular prenatal care and promotes and supports healthy outcomes for moms, babies and families. If you’re pregnant or have a baby under the age of one, you are invited to a Healthy Baby community program where you can:

• ask questions about your baby’s development
• learn about nutrition and health for you and your family
• get parenting tips
• do activities with you baby
• meet other new parents
• receive milk coupons (44 weeks) during pregnancy and until baby is 6 months
• enjoy healthy food

The Healthy Baby program also offers the Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit for families with a household income of less than $32 000/year. It is a financial supplement for women in their second and third trimesters intended to improve access to healthy food during pregnancy. Healthy Baby Community Support Programs also help pregnant women and new parents connect with other parents, families and health professionals. For more information on dates, times and locations please contact the Health Baby Coordinator at 204-822-2632 or 204-346-6696.

Resources

• Manitoba Healthy Schools

Mental Health & Addictions

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call:

Southern Health-Santé Sud offers a range of mental health and addictions services in partnership with community services to provide a continuum of care to individuals experiencing challenges with mental health and addictions.

Mental Health & Addictions Contact Information

Mental Health Access – To access Mental Health services in our region, call 1-888-310-4593

If you are living with mental illness,is a disorder of the brain which can affect a person’s ability to think, accomplish your daily activities, relate to others and cope with life’s demands. It has many possible causes and presentations which are not well understood and can occur at any age. know that you can experience recovery and hope. Among other supports, Community Mental Health services will assess, provide counselling, education and referral services to:

adults
children & adolescents
seniors

To contact the Community Addictions Program please refer to Addictions Services.

24 Hour Crisis Line 1-888-617-7715
Manitoba Suicide Line 1-877-435-7170
Klinic Crisis Line 1-888-322-3019
Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services 1-866-367-3276
Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-292-7565
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Kids Help Phone Website
Problem Gambling Help Line 1-800-463-1554

Southern Health-Santé Sud Walk-in Counselling

If you’re struggling with your mental health or with a particularly difficult problem you just haven’t been able to overcome, are presently on a mental health waitlist, or need a refresher session, consider utilizing this service. Individuals 16+ are eligible for this service.

In a one-time walk-in session, you can discuss your struggles, explore coping, and get information about other resources that might help. Anything that is on your mind is a good reason to schedule a drop-in counselling session.

STEINBACH (450 Main St, Steinbach MB)
Thursdays 9 am – 3 pm

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE (Mental Health Access Services – 524 5^th SE, Portage la Prairie MB)
Wednesdays 9 am – 3 pm

WINKLER (Pathways – 351 Main St, Winkler MB)
Mondays 9 am – 3 pm

Sessions offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis – please access crisis services.

Resources

• Suicide Prevention
• Postpartum Depression
• Access & Crisis Guide
• Eden Health Care Services
• Provincial Crisis Organizations

Frequently Asked Questions

Harm Reduction Initiative

Harm reduction aims to keep people safer by helping to reduce the risk of harm to themselves, their families and the broader community. Harm reduction promotes health for the individual and advocates for policy level changes.

Harm reduction is a way of providing safe and inclusive care to people who use drugs, using a non-judgemental, evidence-informed approach. Harm reduction focuses on reducing the adverse health, social, and economic consequences of using drugs without the condition or expectation of reducing drug use to access support or services.

Southern Health-Santé Sud works to reduce harms associated with sexuality, and drug use, and strives to provide services without creating undue barriers by providing the following:

• Safer sex supplies – condoms, sex dams, gloves, water-based lubricant
• Safer injection supplies
• Safer smoking/inhalation supplies
• Education on overdose prevention & response, and free Take-Home Naloxone Kits
• Connection to other health and social services

To find where harm reduction supplies are available nearest you,

• Contact your local Public Health-Healthy Living office
• Visit Street Connections website at find a location – Street Connections
• Visit the Manitoba Government’s website at Naloxone Finder – Take Home Program

Resources

• Get Your Drugs Tested
• Harm Reduction Manitoba
• Manitoba Healthy Schools
• Man on Manitoba
• Nine Circles Community Health Centre
• Smoker’s Helpline
• Sunshine House – Drop-In and Resource Centre

Volunteer Palliative Support

Palliative Care 204-346-7034 Email

Southern Health-Santé Sud is grateful to the many community-based volunteer organizations that partner with us to provide volunteers for companionship and practical help in the palliative journey of those in our care. Volunteers provide emotional and practical support to the person who is dying and family as well as to friends and caregivers.

Patients and caregivers who are interested in learning more about volunteer services can either speak with a palliative care team member or contact a community group below.

Community Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinators

Altona
204-324-2358
204-324-2369
Email

Boundary Trails
204-331-8815
204-331-8902
BTHC Foundation

Carman
204-745-2021
204-745-2756
Email

Gladstone
204-872-3866
Email

Morris/Emerson
204-745-7356
204-746-2197
Email

Pembina Manitou
204-325-3594
Email

Portage la Prairie
204-857-3746
Sunset Palliative Care

Rock Lake
204-873-2490

Resources

• Palliative Care Volunteer Referral Form
• Palliative Manitoba

Resources & Information to Help You

On this page:
Treatment Options
Symptoms
Caregiving
MAiD
Resources

Palliative Care 204-346-7034 Email

Making decisions about health care can seem overwhelming at times. The issues are often complex and involve subjects that we’re not used to thinking about in our day-to-day lives. The intensity of decision-making is magnified when life-threatening illness is involved. The stakes feel very high for every choice that arises. If you are dealing with life-threatening illness, you’ll face many decisions, and not just about what type of care is desired. All of these decisions can feel complicated and difficult. Almost all decisions related to health care in palliative situations can be approached by using the following framework:

• be informed about the issues being considered
• determine the goals for whatever is being considered
• determine whether the hoped-for goals are possible to achieve and plan an approach accordingly

Treatment Options

Discussion about treatment options often includes concerns about withholding, or withdrawing treatment. It is normal to be concerned about stopping or changing medications or treatments. It is important to discuss the benefits and burdens of different medications and treatment options openly with your doctor and other health care providers.

Talk to your doctor about specific treatment options, CPR and life support and chances for recovery. A key part of this process is including your family in these conversations to discuss options together and clearly state end of life wishes and preferences.

Compassionate care leave/benefits gives employees the opportunity to take up to 28 weeks of unpaid leave to care for or support a critically ill family member who has a significant risk of death within the next 26 weeks. Visit the Province of Manitoba Employment Standards website to determine your eligibility.

Symptoms

As an illness progresses, you may not know what to expect and may have questions about:

• eating/appetite
• drinking/dehydration
• pain
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• when death is near

Caregiving

Being the caregiver in a palliative journey can be both a rewarding and difficult experience. When caregiving goes on for a long period of time or when there are specific challenges in providing care, you may feel taxed and stressed. A palliative care nurse can also support family and caregivers in sharing useful approaches and techniques to give care and make practical suggestions to address any concerns. Also, remember to take care of yourself to ensure you can continue taking care of your loved one. Access the caregiver resources below to assist you in this journey:

• For Caregivers
• LEAP™ Carers – Pallium Canada
• Caregiver Centered Care
• Compassionate Care Course
• Practical Caregiving Videos

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

We understand that while looking into palliative care services, some may be looking for information about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). MAID is not connected with the Southern Health-Santé Sud Palliative Care Program, but is a distinct service.

More information about MAID:

• Medical Assistance in Dying – Shared Health
• Southern Health-Santé Sud MAID Policy

Resources

• Advance Care Planning
• Canadian Virtual Hospice
• My Grief
• Kids Grief
• Youth Grief
• Caregivers Can
• Living My Culture
• Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+
• Palliative Manitoba
• Pallium Canada – Advancing Palliative Care

Palliative Care / End of Life

Palliative Care 204-346-7034 Email

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a philosophy of care. A Palliative approach to health care is used when a patient’s goals of care shift from treatments which are intended to cure to goals which are focused on quality of life and symptom management. The Palliative approach continues to be a very active level of care, guided by the patients goals of care, striving to ensure patient-centered care. The Palliative approach helps patients achieve the best possible quality of life right up until the end of life. A person does not need to be close to death to take a Palliative approach to health care. This approach can be taken in any hospital, personal care home or in the patient’s home. It is an approach to care for patients of any age diagnosed with a life limiting illness.

We believe in taking an integrated approach to Palliative care. This means that we have a specialist team available for referrals. Our team works to support health care providers who are already working with a patient. It is not our intent or goal to take over care, but rather to educate other providers and augment the work they are already doing with patients. We want all providers to have confidence and competence to provide high quality palliative care.

We do this by:

Palliative care is applicable early in the course of illness and will enhance quality of life and may also positively influence the course of illness.

How to Access Services

You can ask for our Palliative Care services by completing a referral, or by calling our administrative support at 204-346-7034.

We are changing the conversation about death and dying. Southern Health-Santé Sud is focused on helping individuals live as fully as possible until the end of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Partnerships & Successes

Indigenous Health 204-595-8064 Email

We believe that effective, harmonious working relationships with Indigenous peoples are the foundation for achieving our shared goals and visions and in implementing health plans and health agreements together. We commit to fostering effective and harmonious working relationships that are guided by truth, courage, understanding, teamwork, mutual support, and humility.

Meaningful, healthy, and respectful relationships are built upon the recognition that we all have something to contribute as individuals and participants in the interest of Indigenous health. Accordingly, we commit to working with partners with dignity and kindness, being responsive to one another and acknowledging that each entity has its own respective strengths and limitations. We are also committed to respectful engagement and interactions with tripartite partners and other contributors and collaborators.

Blurring the lines… a success story in the making

A historical formalized Indigenous Health Partnership Agreement, the first of its kind in Manitoba, was signed in 2016 between Southern Health-Santé Sud, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Dakota Tipi First Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Swan Lake First Nation, and First Nations Inuit Health Branch. Partners in this agreement recognize that “together we’re stronger than any one of us alone”, and that we:

• recognize, and will work to reduce, the negative health impacts of jurisdictional lines
• recognize each partner has a legitimate role in improving First Nations health and health services coordination
• recognize that by engaging partners, we can enhance what needs to be done by working collaboratively, collectively, and taking a people-centred approach

Southern Health-Santé Sud is committed to…

• building meaningful, respectful and inclusive relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and their communities
• placing emphasis and focus on increased Indigenous participation in regards to collaboration, planning, problem-solving, and increased awareness of individual health issues and supports
• working together towards building a culturally safe health care system, knowing that this will positively impact health outcomes of Indigenous peoples and help to pave the way for a more welcoming and safe environment that accepts, respects, and values culturally diverse peoples

Indigenous Communities

Southern Health-Santé Sud continues to build relationships with Indigenous communities with a focus on increased Indigenous participation in collaboration, planning and problem-solving, increased awareness of individual health issues and ongoing support and flexibility.

Partnering Indigenous communities include:

Indigenous Organizations

Cultural Awareness, Services & Resources

Indigenous Health 204-595-8064 Email

Southern Health-Santé Sud recognizes and respects that Indigenous peoples bring unique cultural norms and traditions as well as distinctive values and beliefs about health, illness and treatment. In doing so, we are inclusive and reflective of Indigenous cultural traditions, values and beliefs throughout our programs and services.

As part of its commitment to achieving cultural competency, our region continuously provides education and cultural workshops to increase staff knowledge and understanding. We believe that cultural competency is achieved through learning about different cultures and different world views.

We also provide education and workshops in community settings to assist in building relationships and providing a safe environment where everyone can learn and understand together. As well, sharing circles are provided to foster a holistic approach towards learning about and understanding Indigenous traditional beliefs and practices.

A holistic and spiritual approach

Recognizing that an Indigenous approach to medicine and healing is holistic and encompasses body, mind and spirit, Southern Health-Santé Sud understands and respects that combining traditional healing practices with western medical approaches helps to build connectedness. All faiths are recognized to assist Indigenous peoples through the various stages of their healing journey. Our services facilitate:

• smudging ceremonies
• sharing circles
• Métis services
• liaison with clergy or an elder
• support in difficult times of grief and loss

Cultural Resources

Our holistic and spiritual approach includes access to culturally-based tools and health resources that are inclusive and reflective of Indigenous peoples’ needs and preferences. These include:

• cultural resource toolkits (recognized by Accreditation Canada as a Leading Practice)
• health brochures available in Indigenous languages
• First Nation specific health materials and information
• Métis specific health materials and information
• Inuit specific health materials and information

Language Interpretation Services

Recognizing the importance of one’s ability to communicate without language barriers in order to ensure accurate communication and understanding between health providers and clients, Language Interpretation Services provided through the Indigenous Support Worker Programis one part of an overall strategy that was developed to modify the current health care system to better meet the needs of Indigenous peoples living in Southern Health-Santé Sud support to improve patient safety and quality of care – this with an emphasis on communicating in your Indigenous language for matters such as, relaying health information, informed decisions and informed consent.

To access any of the above-noted services and resources or for more information, please talk to your Indigenous Support Worker.