Clinical social work and psychology are beyond doubt, of indispensable benefit to the
health of our communities. However, to most clinical workers there’s always a way to
improve upon practice. The impact of discrimination on mental health has been garnering
growing interest in Canada over the past few years. Understanding how issues around
race, culture, poverty, gender and other social factors impact the emotional, mental,
spiritual and psychological well-being of diverse communities is particularly important
for clinicians working with vulnerable communities who face barriers accessing
education, employment, health and other social institutions. This week’s North End
Matters brings together two clinicians who will discuss these issues.
Lana MacLean has been a practicing clinical social worker for the past 20 years. Holding
a BA in Community Studies from University of Cape Breton and a Bachelor and Master
Degree in Social Work from Dalhousie University, Lana has used her skills to advocate
for the clinical needs of African Nova Scotian youth, seniors and families. For the past 13
years, she has been working in the areas of mental health and addictions with the Capital
District Health Authority. She also works with the IWK’s Children and Youth
Emergency Mental Health Crisis Team. In 2010, the Minister of Health and Wellness
appointed Lana to the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Committee.
Dr. Jason Chatman completed his undergraduate training at the University of Western
Ontario before completing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of California,
Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2006. He then completed his pre-doctoral internship and post-
doctoral fellowship at Sharp Mesa Vista, a psychiatric hospital servicing the city of San
Diego. In 2008, Dr. Chatman moved to Halifax to begin working at the IWK Health
Centre with youth and their families, providing both assessment and therapy for a wide
variety of concerns.
Both Lana and Jason are members of Cultural Clinical Consultants, where they strive to
address the needs of an increasingly diverse Canadian client/patient population in a
culturally competent manner. Their unique experiences, outlooks and methods are a
wonderful addition to North End Matters’ discussion on the social determinants of health
in the North End.
North End Matters is a live-streamed, online talk show that brings in policy makers and
service providers to discuss upcoming changes in the North End. We stream live at
haligonia.ca and anyone can join our live discussion by using the chat service built into
the stream’s page.
For more information: Aaron Johnson at: aj.pinkdog@gmail.com or 429-3647