Sandra Chen

Background

About Sandra Chen

With over 23 years of experience in the nursing field, I am passionate about providing early intervention and care for children and adolescents with mental health and addiction problems. I have a Master in Nursing, with a focus on Community Health, and I am currently a Mental Health and Addictions Nurse at the Home and Community Care Support Services Central East. I value collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based practice, and I strive to promote the well-being and resilience of students, families, and school communities. I work with multidisciplinary teams of health professionals, educators, and community partners to deliver comprehensive and coordinated mental health and addictions services in schools and the community. I assess, support, and refer students with a range of mental health and substance use issues, using a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach. I also provide education, consultation, and support to school staff, parents, and caregivers on mental health promotion and prevention strategies. Some of the skills that I use and develop in this role include recovery-oriented care, clinical collaboration, a family-centred approach, quality and risk management, and crisis intervention.