The toxic-drug crisis, substance use and mental-health issues will be the key concerns addressed at a new facility opening in Colwood next week.
The Westshore Mental Health and Substance Use Hub starts operation Sept. 4 at 681 Allandale Rd., making it easier for people in the surrounding community to find the services they need.
“As a person with lived experience of mental illness, I know the value of having accessible services in one’s own community,” said Tracy Taylor, peer-support team lead for Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island. “My recovery journey was only possible because mental-health supports were within walking distance of my home. These services change and save lives.”
The hub model is the best way to deliver community substance-use and mental-health services, said Dr. Nelson Collins, South Island medical director and psychiatry division head.
“By bringing together a diverse team of experts under one roof, we can provide more cohesive, personalized care that adapts to each individual’s journey towards recovery.”
The hub will be open five days a week with same-day counselling for people who call or walk in, and features consulting and examination space and meeting areas.
It will focus on conditions such as depression and anxiety, as well as addictions, and offer referrals to higher levels of care as needed.
Services were developed in consultation with Indigenous communities to ensure they are culturally relevant.
The connections to the community and family relationships the hub will support are critical to Indigenous people, said Rob Sam, Indigenous liaison at the Pacific Centre Family Services Association.
“Part of addressing the wrongs that have been done to our people means ensuring access to culturally safe mental-health, social and emotional supports for our people,” he said. “The new Western Communities Hub offers more opportunity for Indigenous community members to access supports and services closer to home, and in collaboration with health services in local Indigenous communities that offer connection to cultural traditions.”
Staff will include professionals in areas such as psychiatry, addictions medicine, nursing, counselling, occupational therapy and peer support.
Clients needing ongoing support will work with a care co-ordinator, who will be their main point of contact and will tailor services to their needs.
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