Interviewer
Bethany Hannah Schofield
Files
Description
In this interview, Sarah Gittins talks about her work at the Winds of Change Mental Health Center in Missoula, Montana. Gittins discusses starting the substance use program at the facility to work with the already established mental health component. The facility did not close down during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Gittins mentions how the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected patients struggling to stay sober. The counselors at Winds of Change tried to have Zoom appointments with patients, but they were less successful than person-to-person appointments. Many patients did not have access to computers or the Internet but could talk with counselors via phone. Also, Winds of Change provided patients with computers and technology in their offices. Finally, Gittins discusses how hard the COVID-19 pandemic hit the homeless community in Missoula and how Winds of Change provided shelter, mental health treatment, and substance use treatment.
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Document Type
Oral History
Original Date
4-20-2021
Time Period
Twenty-first century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Wet Missoula: COVID-19 and Alcohol Oral History Project, OH 478, Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 478-021
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:44:08 minutes
Local Filename
OH_478_021_use_audio.mp3; OH_478_021_transcript.pdf
Citation
Gittins, Sarah Lee, "Sarah Lee Gittins Interview, April 20, 2021" (2021). Wet Missoula: COVID-19 and Alcohol Oral History Project. 7.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/wetmissoulacovid19_oralhistory/7