The minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health Brian Comer made a special announcement about access to rural mental health and addictions care at St Martha’s regional hospital in Antigonish today.

The rural access to urgent care initiative will provide people living in rural areas the option to receive a virtual mental health and addictions urgent care assessment. The goal of providing virtual assessments is to reduce wait times and eliminate the need to travel so people can access the services closer to home. Previously, A person seeking mental health and addictions care had to present to a rural emergency department and then be transferred to a regional site to receive services.

When assessments are conducted a healthcare worker assists a person and their friends and family to understand their needs and help stabilize them if needed while making a plan of care involving their clinician or mental health treatment program.

“There is no one size fits all when it comes to mental health and addictions concerns.” Says Minister Comer. “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.”

The initiative was piloted in September of last year at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and at St Martha’s Regional Hospital in March of this year and work is underway to expand the program in Western Nova Scotia.

The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Team provides supports to hospitals in Inverness, Cheticamp, and Neil’s Harbour, while St Martha’s Hospital provides services to Canso, Guysborough, Sherbrooke, and Strait Richmond hospitals.

Anyone dealing with mental health issues and additions is encouraged to call the provincial Mental Health and Addiction’s Crisis Line 1-888-429-8167 and the line is open 24/7.