Weyburn is one-of-eight Saskatchewan communities launching a Community Recovery Team (CRT) to help support people living with complex, persistent mental health challenges.
The province has committed $4.2 million in funding to the new program.
Community Recovery Teams use a team-based approach to help people manage symptoms, achieve their goals, avoid hospitalization and thrive in the community.
“Community Recovery Teams do incredible work helping people stay safe, healthy and in the community,” said Dustin Duncan, the environment minister, in a statement on Monday.
“Team members are on the front lines to help people better manage symptoms and achieve their individual goals. Through their work, we will create a better, more efficient and more caring health system for people with mental health issues.”
CRT’s have also been launched in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, and Regina.
The Weyburn CRT includes a team lead, six community health nurses, two mental health therapists, an addiction counsellor, and an occupational therapist.
“The Community Recovery Team in Weyburn will allow us to be flexible and responsive to our clients and provide the specific services they need, when and where they need them,” said Robert Stephenson, Saskatchewan Health Authority’s director of mental health and addictions (South East).
“It’s all about providing patient-centred care and this new model really allows us to do that.”
The funding is part of the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Funding Agreement announced in January 2017 where the federal government is providing the province with nearly $350 million over 10 years for mental health investments.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hurts and Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 all offer ways of getting help if you, or someone you know, may be suffering from mental health issues.