Health professionals hope a new provincial initiative will follow up with and improve the lives of mental health patients.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced last week at Battlefords Union Hospital the introduction of a Community Recovery Team. The Community Recovery Team is designed to provide intensive supports in the community for people living with complex, persistent mental health challenges, according to a press release.
The 10-person North Battleford team includes six mental health nurses, one social worker and one addictions counsellor.
MLA Herb Cox said the team can help “clients manage their symptoms, and hopefully help them achieve their individual goals.” Cox added people could avoid hospitalization in some cases.
Saskatchewan Health Authority Regional Manager for Mental Health Johann Engelke said since the team’s recent launch, they’ve been automatically following up on individuals after they’ve left a mental health unit. Engelke also said the team allows for “enhanced follow-up,” and could follow up on people after they’ve attempted suicide and made a suicide safety plan.
Saskatchewan Health Authority Executive Director Vikki Smart said delivery services to people in their homes is “very effective.”
The Government of Saskatchewan provided $4.2 million in targeted funding for community recovery teams in North Battleford and in seven other communities, including Saskatoon and Regina. Funding comes from a provincial/federal bilateral agreement, in which the federal government is providing Saskatchewan with close to $350 million over 10 years for targeted spending relating to mental health, a press release states.
According to Kathy Willerth, Director of Mental Health and Addictions funding for community recovery teams started in the 2018/19 budget and will continue into the new budget year. The initiative, according to Willerth, is reflected in the total spend for mental health and addictions.
NDP MLA Danielle Chartier said she would have liked to see “more robust” community recovery teams with more workers, and argued mental health issues in the province need more funding.
“Every time we spend money on mental health and addictions, it makes me happy because those dollars are desperately, desperately needed,” Chartier said.
Clarification: A previous version of this article attributed a quote to Media Relations Consultant Shelley Svedahl. The quote has since been attributed to Kathy Willerth, Director of Mental Health and Addictions.
