Released on February 13, 2019
A new Community Recovery Team in Moose Jaw is providing more intensive supports for people living with complex, persistent mental health challenges. The Government of Saskatchewan has dedicated $4.2 million in targeted funding to launch a Community Recovery Team in Moose Jaw and seven other communities.
“Community Recovery Teams support their clients in a way that is tailored to their individual needs, bringing care to them – out in the community,” Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence said on behalf of Health Minister Jim Reiter. “This is an important step forward in our government’s commitment to improving mental health services.”
Community Recovery Teams (CRTs) use a holistic, team-based approach to help clients manage symptoms, avoid hospitalization, achieve their individual goals, and thrive in the community. The 10-person Moose Jaw CRT includes an Assessor Coordinator, two Occupational Therapists, five Community Mental Health Nurses, and two Mental Health Therapists. There are also multidisciplinary activities with psychiatrists, an adult psychologist, adult services and counsellors who are part of Mental Health and Addictions Services in Moose Jaw.
“This new funding has enabled us to expand the team in Moose Jaw, which was already operating in this capacity. It also allowed us to make these specialized services available to more people in our community, and add services that were not previously available,” Director of Mental Health and Addictions (South West) for the Saskatchewan Health Authority Michael Seiferling said. “Our residents will benefit from this expanded access.”
CRTs support Saskatchewan’s Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and are also being launched in Regina, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Swift Current, Weyburn, Yorkton, and Saskatoon.
Funding comes from the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Funding Agreement announced in January 2017. The federal government is providing Saskatchewan with close to $350 million over 10 years for targeted incremental investments in home and community care and mental health and addiction services.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Shelley Svedahl
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: shelley.svedahl@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594
Amanda Purcell
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3476
Email: amanda.purcell@saskhealthauthority.ca