West Shore centre to offer mental health and addictions services

West Shore centre to offer mental health and addictions services
BC Gov Flickr/handout image
(L-R) Leah Hollins with Island Health, Ravi Parmar the MLA for Langford- Juan de Fuca, Mary Morrison with Island Health and Mitzi Dean the MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin visit the under-construction centre.

The provincial government says a centre will soon open to offer mental health and addictions services in the West Shore.

The centre will offer same-day walk-in or call-in counselling and assessments five days a week.

“Mental health and addiction challenges can affect anyone, and as our communities grow, so does the need for dependable care close by,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions.

“With this hub, we are bringing together mental-health and addiction services, and supporting individuals and families right where they live. This makes it easier for people to get all the care they need, where and when they need it.”

The centre will be staffed by experts from a variety of fields like psychiatry, addiction medicine, nursing, counselling, occupational therapy and peer support.

“By providing local services for low to moderate mental-health and addiction needs and connecting those with higher needs to specialized care, we are creating a co-ordinated and effective care system,” said Leah Hollins, board chair of Island Health.

The centre will open later this year, though the province did not set a specific timeline, at 681 Allandale Rd. in Colwood.

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