Labrador-Grenfell Health has eliminated the wait list for mental health and addictions counselling services at the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This comes one year into the implementation of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. This also follows on the Towards Recovery update provided this summer which highlighted that there has been a 35 per cent reduction in the number of people waiting for counselling services province-wide. In partnership with the Community Coalition for Mental Health and Addictions, Labrador-Grenfell Health was able to transition from an appointment-based counselling service to a walk-in service. An open house was held today at the Labrador Health Centre to give people the opportunity to meet some of the regional staff, ask questions and learn more about the services available through Labrador-Grenfell Health. Doorways, a single-session walk-in mental health and addictions service that provides counselling services to those who feel they need to speak to someone immediately, continues to be available through all four regional health authorities. To find a location, people can call 811. A list of locations in the Labrador-Grenfell Health authority area can also be found in the backgrounder below. Along with Doorways and 811, the department wishes to remind people that if you or someone you know is in need of help, other supports are available including:

• The Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-737-4668
• CHANNAL’s Peer Support Warm Line at 1-855-753-2560
• Bridge the gApp at www.bridgethegapp.ca.

A key priority of Towards Recovery is to reduce wait lists and wait times for mental health and addictions services. This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca. Quotes “Our government is committed to changing the mental health and addictions system in Newfoundland and Labrador, so people can readily access the services and supports they need when and where they need them. One year into the implementation of Towards Recovery, we have seen a 35 per cent reduction in the number of people waiting for counselling services. I am pleased to see the impact of our approach in Happy Valley-Goose Bay where the wait time has been eliminated completely. We are making great progress, but we still have more work to do. Towards Recovery is a solid foundation from which we are building.” Honourable Dwight Ball Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador “Partnership between individuals and families with lived experience, grassroots community groups, all levels of government, municipalities, and health care providers are key to changing how mental health and addictions care is delivered in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are seeing the success of partnerships here in Happy Valley-Goose Bay where the barrier of wait times has been removed. It is our goal to ensure barriers to service continue to be removed so that more people can access the right care, at the right time, right in their very own communities.” Honourable John Haggie Minister of Health and Community Services “This initiative is part of Labrador-Grenfell Health’s ongoing journey to further improve the health of our population. To have a substantial impact, we must take a primary health care approach; not only supporting our region during times of crisis but also ensuring access on a day-to-day basis. This is an opportunity to shape the mental health and addictions system to meet the needs of the population we serve, and we will continue to implement strategies with that in mind.” Heather Brown President and CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health “Through a collaborative approach, we are working to ensure our clients receive counselling when they need it rather than waiting. This will certainly have a positive impact on our clients, their families and loved ones, as well as our mental health and addictions staff.” Sandy Penney Regional Director of Mental Health & Addictions, Labrador-Grenfell Health “As a member of the Community Coalition for Mental Health and Addictions and an advocate for timely access to mental health services, this initiative is a positive progression for the entire community and region. Others in the community who are struggling, but have not sought help, will have a place to go to avail of services in times of need. This, in turn, will hopefully bring relief to the individual, their family and loved ones, as well as the mental health and addictions division at Labrador-Grenfell Health.  This initiative is a wonderful example of adopting an innovative approach and finding solutions. Thank you to all who advocated and had the wisdom to assist in this change. No sweeter words have been heard today than ‘doors are open’!” Pat Loder Community Coalition for Mental Health and Addictions

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Learn more Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador Thirty-Five Per Cent Reduction in People Waiting for Services After One Year Into the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL Media contacts Michelle Cannizzaro Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca Tina Newhook Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca Amanda MacNeil Labrador-Grenfell Health 709-897-3102, 899-1074 amanda.macneil@lghealth.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Location and Times for Doorways in Labrador-Grenfell Health Region Labrador West Health Centre Labrador City Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Labrador Health Centre Happy Valley-Goose Bay Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital St. Anthony Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Labrador South Health Centre Forteau Mondays 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre Flower’s Cove Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. White Bay Central Health Centre Roddickton Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Nain Clinic Nain Thursdays 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hopedale Clinic Hopedale Thursdays 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Port Hope Simpson Clinic Port Hope Simpson Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Charlottetown Community Clinic Charlottetown by calling 709-960-0234 Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. St. Lewis Community Clinic St. Lewis by calling 709-960-0234 Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mary’s Harbour Community Clinic Mary’s Harbour by calling 709-960-0234 Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.