Expanding Rural Access to Urgent Mental Health, Addictions Care
The Province is expanding access to urgent mental health and addictions care in rural communities.
The Rural Access to Urgent Care initiative provides people attending rural emergency departments for urgent mental healthcare the option to receive a virtual mental health and addictions urgent care assessment.
“There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mental health and addictions concerns,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health. “Having a variety of supports and services makes it possible to improve access and ensure people receive care that best meets their needs. Initiatives like this also help the health system by alleviating pressures on access and flow and reliance on emergency health services.”
Previously, a person seeking urgent mental healthcare had to present to a rural emergency department and then be transferred to a regional site to receive services. The Rural Access to Urgent Care initiative allows assessments to be conducted virtually, which reduces wait times, improves access and eliminates travel to other regions.
During the assessments, a healthcare professional works with a person and their family or loved ones to understand their needs and then, if required, helps stabilize them while making a plan of care involving their clinician or a mental health treatment program.
The initiative is a partnership between Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program, Virtual Care-IMIT – Nova Scotia Health’s information technology management team – and emergency departments.
It was piloted in September 2021 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish in March 2022. Work is underway to expand the program to the western area of the province, including the Annapolis Valley and South Shore, this fall.
Quotes:
“We continue to focus on creative and innovative ways to improve access for people seeking mental health and addictions care. This service will help Nova Scotians receive urgent mental health and addictions care closer to home.”
– Chris Bourque, Manager, Intake and Urgent Care Services, Mental Health and Addictions Program, Nova Scotia Health
Quick Facts:
- the Cape Breton Regional Hospital team provides support to hospitals in Baddeck, Cheticamp, Inverness and Neils Harbour, while St. Martha’s Regional Hospital provides service to Canso, Guysborough, Sherbrooke and Strait Richmond hospitals
- people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis can call the provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line, which is available 24/7 to individuals or people concerned about them; the toll-free number is 1-888-429-8167
Additional Resources:
Mandate letter for the Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-CNS-AMH-Youth.pdf
Action for Health, the government’s strategic plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/
Nova Scotia Health mental health and addictions services: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en
IWK Health Centre mental health and addictions services: https://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/mental-health