Dear Editor:
Re: Mental Health Week over but issue remains.
In response to your article Mental Health Week is over but issue remains, which appeared in the Tuesday, May 9 edition of the Barrhead Leader, it is important that residents know Alberta Health Services (AHS) offers comprehensive addiction and mental health care options, in addition to the community services listed in your article.
Services available for Barrhead and area residents includes outpatient addiction and mental health services, treatment and referral for adults, youth and children, along with referral to psychiatry and other specialized services. Information, education and prevention services are also available.
AHS addiction and mental health professionals in Barrhead include addiction counsellors, mental health therapists, an addiction and mental health recovery worker and a mental health promotion facilitator. Additional services are also available through teleconference or videoconference, connecting patients with addiction and mental health professionals in larger centres.
A majority of individuals needing mental health or addiction support reach out to their family doctor, and because of this we work with Primary Care Networks to improve access and coordination of care.
The emergency department is open 24/7 and is equipped and prepared to provide assessment, care and treatment for those experiencing medical emergencies, including a mental health crisis.
AHS also provides support through the Mental Health Helpline, which provides mental health support 24/7 at 1-877-303-2642 and Health Link, which connects people with appropriate local mental health supports, 24/7, at 811.
We are fortunate to have a talented care team in the community who work very hard and closely together, as well as with an interdisciplinary team of local and provincial colleagues and organizational partners, to ensure optimal addiction and mental health care.
Together with community partners, we will continue to work to raise awareness about addiction and mental health issues and ensure that local and area residents know their options for addiction and mental health services and supports available in their community.
More information about available AHS services and how to access them is available at www.ahs.ca. Local residents can call 780-674-8243 for more information about mental health services and for more information about addiction services they can call 780-674-8239.
Regards,
Edith Zuidhof-Knoop, MA, RSW, Manager, Addiction
and Mental Health
AHS North Zone Area 5:
Westlock, Barrhead and Onoway &Integration Facilitator
