May 2026

Guides Through the Maze

There is often a lot of paperwork, and it can be confusing. This is how many people feel when they try to find the right help in health, community, and social services. So how does Univi Health Centre help patients find their way? They do this by adding System Navigators to their health care team.

 

Good health is not just about eating well, staying active, and seeing your primary care provider. Health is also shaped by social factors such as access to education, transportation, stable housing, and reliable income. These factors can strongly affect both mental and physical health. If a patient has trouble in any of these areas, they may be sent to a System Navigator at Univi.

 

“Our role is to identify the needs of our patients and help them overcome barriers to accessing services,” explains Joanne Lemieux, System Navigator at Univi Health Centre. But this is only part of what they do.

 

Amy Restoule, also a System Navigator at Univi Health Centre, adds that “patients sometimes just need help understanding and completing forms for Ontario Works, CPPD, or ODSP. We help them navigate the paperwork and make sure it’s completed correctly and on time.”

 

Our two System Navigators are currently supporting about 300 clients, and this number is growing. They help patients find stable housing, speak up for their needs, get transportation to medical visits, get financial help, plan future care, and apply for the Trillium Drug Program. For many patients, this support has been very important for their health and well-being.

 

If you are a patient at Univi Health Centre and think a System Navigator could help you, contact the centre to book an appointment. They are good at helping people find their way through a complex system.

 

A Healthy Kitchen

Lemon-Herb Chickpea Salad

Serves 4 | Ready in 10 minutes

 

Fresh, simple, and bright, this Lemon-Herb Chickpea Salad is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your “easy and healthy” rotation. It comes together in minutes, travels well, and works just as nicely as a light lunch as it does as a side dish.

The chickpeas provide plant-based protein and fibre to support heart and gut health, while lemon and fresh herbs deliver big flavour without relying on excess sodium. It’s also wonderfully adaptable: add chicken, feta, whole grains, or whatever vegetables you have on hand and make it your own. A small bowl, a squeeze of lemon, and suddenly healthy eating feels refreshingly uncomplicated.

 

Ingredients

2 cans (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped cucumber

½ cup chopped radishes

¼ cup finely chopped red onion

¼ cup fresh parsley or dill (or both)

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, radishes, and red onion.
2. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss gently and fold in fresh herbs just before serving.

The Community Paramedicine Program

Partner Profile – Paola Oke, Commander Community Paramedicine Program

 

Community Paramedics have been working out of the paramedic station in Noëlville for almost one year, and they have built strong partnerships. They have worked closely with Univi Health Centre to support people in the community, and they often take part in education sessions at local Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board buildings in the Sudbury-East area. 

 

Community Paramedics are part of the health care team and visit people in their homes to better understand their needs and help them follow their care plans. They look at each person’s situation to find problems that may stop them from following their care plan, and they share this information with their health care providers. This team approach helps people with long-term health conditions stay at home longer with the support they need. 

 

Right now, one Community Paramedic works in the area for about 14 days each month, and the team in Espanola helps with urgent visits on other days. 

 

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Mental health is about how we think, feel, and act. It affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Everyone has a mental health state, and it can change over time. Feeling stressed, sad, or overwhelmed once in a while is normal, but ongoing struggles can make daily life harder.

 

Mental Health Week takes place from May 4th to 10th. It is a good time to learn more and talk openly about mental health. These conversations help reduce stigma and remind us that support is available. Simple actions like talking to someone you trust, taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and staying active can support your well-being.

 

One important skill to improve mental health is called emotional regulation. This means noticing your feelings and finding healthy ways to respond. It does not mean ignoring emotions. It means taking a moment to pause, name what you feel, and choose what to do next. Breathing slowly, stepping away from a stressful situation, or asking for help are all examples.

 

To build these skills, join our Circle of Growth Learning Series on May 28, 2026, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. This session will focus on emotional regulation and offer simple tools you can use in everyday life.

 

As Madeleine Sauvé, one of our Counsellors, shares, “Circle of Growth is a space where everyone is welcome. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Just come as you are.”

 

Taking small steps each day can make a big difference. Paying attention to your mental health now can help you stay well and support a healthier community.