Building a Strong Mind: Richmond PCN Funded Mental Health Counselling was Ex-bodybuilder’s Power Move
With the support of her family doctor and the Richmond PCN, Wendy Kwok was able to access counselling services that helped her navigate a difficult period in her life. The Richmond Primary Care Network connects patients with a wide range of supports, ensuring care is accessible, personalized, and responsive to community needs.
Support from a Family Doctor and the Richmond Primary Care Network (PCN)
When Wendy Kwok returned to Richmond following a divorce, she found herself facing emotional challenges that affected her health and daily life. A former professional bodybuilder, she had always valued fitness and discipline, but this period brought new difficulties, including low mood, disrupted sleep, and changes to her usual routines.
Recognizing the need for additional care, Wendy’s family doctor referred her to the Richmond Primary Care Network (PCN), where she was able to access MSP-funded counselling sessions. “That has been really helpful,” she explains, noting that private counselling would have been difficult to afford.
Mental Health Support in the Language Your are Comfortable In
Working with her counsellor, Wendy gradually found ways to restore balance and confidence. She learned the importance of setting boundaries and giving herself permission to prioritize her own wellbeing. With support in place, she has returned to some of her routines, including exercise and healthy eating, and is exploring new opportunities for the future.
Wendy hopes her story encourages others to consider reaching out for help when they need it. “I used to think nobody could help me, but that’s not true,” she says. “Even if your English isn’t perfect, the PCN has language options. The counselling has been very supportive.”
Wendy’s journey highlights how the Richmond PCN works hand in hand with family doctors to provide patients with essential mental health and wellness services. By making resources like counselling available, the PCN ensures that individuals and families in Richmond can access the care they need, when they need it.
The Richmond Primary Care Network (PCN) offers patients access to a range of supports, including counselling and wellness services, made possible through collaboration with local family physicians. These resources ensure that care is not only accessible, but also responsive to the needs of individuals and families in Richmond.
If you are interested in learning more about services available through the Richmond PCN, speak with your family physician. They can help connect you to the supports that best fit your needs.
A version of this article was originally published in Richmond Division of Family Practice Annual Impact Report 2025-25
Richmond PCN: Volunteer Opportunities Bring Fulfillment for Stroke Survivor
The Richmond PCN (Primary Care Network) is dedicated to supporting family doctors and their patients through coordinated care, community resources, and personalized support. By connecting physicians with social workers, clinical counsellors, and community link workers, the Richmond PCN helps improve patient outcomes while making it easier for doctors to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
From Career Loss to Community Impact
Anthony Yip travelled the world for his management job in IT with the global inter-banking company Swift. That all changed in 2016 when a stroke cost him not only his ability to communicate, but also his whole career.
“I lost everything,” he says, able to speak again now after years of hard work. “I lost my work, lost all of my friends, lost everything.” Despite several attempts through WorkBC, Yip says nobody would hire him.
“I didn’t want to give up, and I didn’t want to do nothing. This is very important.”
Luckily, Yip’s family physician Dr. David Fung referred him to PCN Clinical Counsellor Shirley Lai and PCN Social Worker Athina Lai. Upon assessment, these PCN clinicians looped Community Link Worker Sean Canasa into Yip’s circle of care.
Finding Purpose Through the Richmond PCN and Volunteer Work
“Sean and Athina have helped me a lot. They are always calling me, reminding me to go someplace, helping me in so many ways to learn how to help myself.”
Yip still carries the original list of volunteer roles that Sean had printed for consideration. One of those jobs relied on Yip’s IT experience and seemed a perfect fit. For the past year, he has been visiting Connections Community Services weekly to teach seniors how to use various technology and devices in the Digital Literacy Program for Seniors.
“It is a way that I can still help people,” says Yip.
Yip’s skills and dedication have garnered attention. Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie presented him with the nomination-based U-Roc Award from the City of Richmond as an Asset Champion for Community Support, and he was interviewed by Chris Yuen on Radio AM1470.
Beyond connecting him to this role, Canasa supported Yip with the application process including a criminal record check, and aligned him with exercise programs and educational workshops at the Richmond Stroke Recovery Centre.
“I invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,” says Yip. “Without him, many people wouldn’t know how to find out these things.”
Family physicians interested in improving patient care through coordinated support are invited to learn more about joining Richmond Primary Care Networks.
Richmond PCN Physiotherapist Referral Becomes Light in the Tunnel
Referral to PCN Physiotherapist Services Becomes Light in the Tunnel for Multiple Crash Victim
Access to a Richmond PCN physiotherapist is transforming the lives of patients recovering from injuries, chronic pain, or mobility challenges. By connecting family physicians with funded, high-quality physiotherapy services, the Richmond PCN ensures patients receive the care they need to regain independence, improve mobility, and enhance overall well-being—without the financial burden of private treatment.
A Life Changed by Multiple Accidents
It’s a tale nearly impossible to imagine, but Richmond resident Judy Graham’s life had to take a 180-degree turn since suffering not one, but six car accidents since 2017.
“In every accident, my vehicle was at a complete stop,” says the former oil and gas industry project manager who was forced into early retirement due to severe neck and leg pain.
“I travelled a lot for the job, and was on job sites wearing steel-toed boots and hard hats and climbing on rocks, but it became tough,” says Graham. “Because retirement was forced on me, I wasn’t ready for it and was really quite sad, but I knew I had to stop.”
Family Physician Referral to PCN Care: Transformative Results Through Physiotherapy
Graham’s family physician, Dr. Lisa Nakajima, felt physiotherapy could help and referred her to a series of MSP-funded PCN sessions at Garratt Wellness Centre.
“Doctor Nakajima is an absolute Godsend to me, says Graham. “I am so blessed to have her as my doctor. I always try and listen because she is always right.”
Determined to heal, Graham took her physiotherapy program seriously and worked hard to master the weight and balancing exercises outlined for her. “The difference was phenomenal. It did remarkable things for me,” she says.
“Access to this treatment has been life-saving. I couldn’t afford physio otherwise. The program is incredible, and a huge necessity for elderly people.” Judy Graham, Richmond Resident
Graham has exhausted her initial allocation of funded sessions but has re-applied, and hopes to see her favourite therapist again.
“He is the most amazing person ever,” she says, with a tear in her eye about Richmond PCN physiotherapist Paulo Macapagal. “He is so kind and compassionate, and really encouraged me. He gave me a whole lot of hope that I will get better. I can’t say enough about him.”
Always excited for the visits, Graham was inspired to demonstrate how hard she was working at home.
“I always looked forward to it, loved seeing him, and left feeling so great and wondering how I got this lucky,” she says, “I miss him terribly and can’t wait to go back, because I know he is going to help with this pain.”
“Having access to this treatment has been life-saving,” she says. “And it being offered at no cost? That’s huge. I couldn’t afford physio otherwise. This program is incredible, and such a necessity for elderly people. I am ever so grateful.”
Encouraging Family Physicians to Refer to Richmond PCN Physiotherapists
Since experiencing the benefits first-hand, Graham hopes that all Richmond family physicians adopt referrals to PCN services for their patients and understand what an important impact they are having on real lives like hers.
Richmond PCN physiotherapy offers life-changing care for patients recovering from injuries, chronic pain, or mobility challenges. Funded sessions make these services accessible to those who might not afford physiotherapy otherwise, while skilled PCN therapists provide guidance and support to help patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Family physicians and patients in Richmond are encouraged to explore the benefits of PCN services. Refer your patients to the Richmond PCN today or learn more about how these programs can support recovery, mobility, and overall well-being.
PCN Community Link Worker Connects Patient to Life-changing Support
Social Prescribing in Richmond connects patients to meaningful community resources that improve their health, well-being, and social connections. Through Richmond’s PCN Community Link program, family doctors can link patients to tailored services, whether it’s volunteer opportunities, fresh food delivery, or support navigating essential systems, helping them thrive
How the Program Transforms Lives
Sometimes, it’s a few new walking buddies, delivery of fresh veggies, a volunteer opportunity, or someone to help with taxes that turns a life around.
Richmond’s PCN Community Link Worker connects your patients to special services throughout our community, and it’s having a profound impact on their ability to thrive. Patients are reporting improved physical and emotional well-being, social connections, and ease of navigating essential systems. This program, sometimes known as social prescribing, has received more than 200 referrals since the program started in October 2022.
In the year they have been working together, Community Link Worker Sean Canasa has formed a strong bond with Anthony Yip. Read Anthony’s story.
“I invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,” says Yip. “Without him, many people wouldn’t know how to find out these things.”
Through the Community Link Worker, the Richmond Division and Richmond Primary Care Networks have had the opportunity to develop strong relationships with key community partners throughout Richmond.
PCN Community Link Highlights from 2023–24:
- Beyond providing direct client care, the program has become a respected platform for collaboration, outreach, advocacy, and engagement with other many community organizations throughout Richmond.
- 100+ client outreach appointments have been completed in the community, many of them with life-changing results.
- The program is scheduled to deliver several community workshops about the PCN, accessing care, finding a family doctor, and accessing community exercise programs. Workshops are booked with SUCCESS Richmond, the South Arm Community Centre Seniors Program, and the Richmond Community Respiratory Program.
Richmond’s Social Prescribing program demonstrates how connecting patients to community resources can transform lives. By partnering with the PCN Community Link Worker, family doctors can enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and foster stronger community ties.
Learn more about Richmond Primary Care Networks.
