Pubdate: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 Source: Kitimat Northern Sentinel (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Kitimat Northern Sentinel Contact: http://www.northernsentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2136 COMMUNITY ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE INTEGRATED INTO ONE UNDER NHA Addictions and mental health services have been integrated together in Kitimat by the Northern Health Authority. Some of these services were previously handled by Northwest Addictions Services but will now be operated out of the hospital, explained NHA area manager, mental health and addictions services Rick Gremm. But the people will remain the same, he added. This includes the addictions counsellor Dan O'Neill. "Dan brings something special to us," Gremm explained. "I'm so glad to have Dan onboard." O'Neill brings a lot of expertise in addictions services in the community but he will also be cross-trained in mental health services as well, Gremm added. Conversely the mental health experts will be brought up to speed with the latest addictions services training developed by the NHA. And not just the team will be trained in this capacity but small-community service providers as well. "In the case of the Haisla we will be taking the training right to them," Gremm said. The reason for the combining of mental health and addictions services was because typically the two are related, he explained. Many addicts suffer from depression and other psychological troubles, he added. The new team will be expanding these services beyond what was previously available in the Northwest. "We've been reliant on key services outside of the Northwest and that hasn't been satisfactory," Gremm said. Specifically he cited medical detox services. The closest place where these comprehensive services exist is Prince George. Detox recovery beds, in particular, are something that Gremm wants in place in the Northwest. These beds allow trained staff to assess the patients situation and make recommendations on the type of assistance they need. "Home may not be the best solution for some," he explained. Instead some might need 24-hour care. "Recovery beds are a key component that we need to know if people need this type of care." The first community to receive these beds will be Terrace, which will have four new beds in place this year, Gremm said. But he added that he hopes recovery beds will also be placed in Kitimat in the future. Although the team is now based out of KGH, the beds would not be. It is important for the patients to rehabilitate in a normal, relaxed setting and not think of themselves as sick, Gremm pointed out. Addictions and mental health services have been integrated together in Kitimat by the Northern Health Authority. Some of these services were previously handled by Northwest Addictions Services but will now be operated out of the hospital, explained NHA area manager, mental health and addictions services Rick Gremm. But the people will remain the same, he added. This includes the addictions counsellor Dan O'Neill. "Dan brings something special to us," Gremm explained. "I'm so glad to have Dan onboard." O'Neill brings a lot of expertise in addictions services in the community but he will also be cross-trained in mental health services as well, Gremm added. Conversely the mental health experts will be brought up to speed with the latest addictions services training developed by the NHA. And not just the team will be trained in this capacity but small-community service providers as well. "In the case of the Haisla we will be taking the training right to them," Gremm said. The reason for the combining of mental health and addictions services was because typically the two are related, he explained. Many addicts suffer from depression and other psychological troubles, he added. The new team will be expanding these services beyond what was previously available in the Northwest. "We've been reliant on key services outside of the Northwest and that hasn't been satisfactory," Gremm said. Specifically he cited medical detox services. The closest place where these comprehensive services exist is Prince George. Detox recovery beds, in particular, are something that Gremm wants in place in the Northwest. These beds allow trained staff to assess the patients situation and make recommendations on the type of assistance they need. "Home may not be the best solution for some," he explained. Instead some might need 24-hour care. "Recovery beds are a key component that we need to know if people need this type of care." The first community to receive these beds will be Terrace, which will have four new beds in place this year, Gremm said. But he added that he hopes recovery beds will also be placed in Kitimat in the future. Although the team is now based out of KGH, the beds would not be. It is important for the patients to rehabilitate in a normal, relaxed setting and not think of themselves as sick, Gremm pointed out. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek