Starting Tuesday, May 20, a new mental health option for people who need that service right away will open in the heart of downtown Lloydminster.
In the last year, over 2000 people have sought mental help support at the ER at Lloydminster Hospital, notes CEO of the LRHF, Stefanie Munro.
“That’s about six people a day.”
The new mental health option is free and available by walk-ins Monday to Friday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Integrated Therapies at 5009- 50 Street.
Falon Willis, who is completing her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology will administer the program in the office that’s headed by Christy Hunt. The pilot program will operate in partnership with the LRHF.
“Pathway to Wellness is a suicide prevention and crisis support program,” says Willis, who shares on the new mental health support.
“The hospital is primarily set up to deal with physical illnesses, and sometimes, when people are in distress, it’s for mental health needs. So, if they are in a position where they have not ingested a substance, they don’t have a bodily or physical wound, they can actually be seen by a therapist and won’t necessarily need to be at the hospital waiting for a really long time,” says Willis.
She adds when people are in ER waiting for a long time and they are not able to see someone, they get discouraged and they leave.
“This program is designed as an alternative for people who don’t need to be seen by a physician.”
This will take some pressure off the hospital, and more importantly, give people the support they need.
“This is available for Alberta and Saskatchewan residents. People do not need any documentation to walk in, and it’s free.”
Integrated Therapies is excited to be offering the service in partnership with the LRHF and other agencies.
More details can be found online and by using the QR code in the picture with this story.
