New mental health, substance-use services in Cranbrook

October 13, 2022

People in Cranbrook and surrounding areas will have access to new treatment and recovery options, as well as expanded mental health and substance use services, as the Province continues to build a comprehensive system of care throughout British Columbia.

Through Interior Health, the Province is adding 10 beds at the Recovery Ranch by Edgewood Health Network in the Cranbrook area, including five young adult substance-use treatment beds and five adult withdrawal management beds. First Nations, Métis and Inuit people within the Interior Health region will be given priority for these beds.

“When people in the Cranbrook region make the courageous decision to reach out for help, we want services close to home,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “These 10 treatment beds, plus expanded mental health services, will help people get on their pathway to recovery. In addition to the hundreds of treatment beds we’ve already opened, they’re a vital part of the system of care we’re working urgently to build.”

In addition, the Province is expanding existing mental health and substance-use supports for youth and adults in the region. This includes adding health-care workers to the intensive case management team, which provides support to people experiencing severe mental-health and/or substance-use concerns, and the integrated treatment team, which provides flexible substance-use treatment.

New early psychosis intervention services are also being added to support people in the early years of living with psychosis. In total, 12 additional staff positions will support these expanded services, which are now offered out of the new office location at 2 - 926 Baker St.

“The care provided at the Recovery Ranch will help people be successful in the early days of their recovery by providing well-supported withdrawal management,” said Diane Shendruk, vice-president, clinical operations (North), Interior Health. “In addition, the facility will strive to offer culturally safe care in a stable setting for young adults to focus on their longer-term wellness goals.”

Enhancing supports for people living with mental-health and substance-use needs, as well as treatment and recovery options, is an integral part of A Pathway to Hope, B.C.’s roadmap for building the comprehensive system of mental-health and addictions care for British Columbians.

Quotes:

Carlee Campbell, director of operations, Western Canada, Edgewood Health Network –

“We are excited about the opportunity to dive into this work, in collaboration with partners in the community and Interior Health, and continue developing the landscape for a recovery-oriented system of care in the Interior. We hope to provide excellent, short- and long-term, person-centered and self-directed services, that are evidence-based, and will strengthen all patient's recovery capital and will honour both the individual needs of patients, while also relying on the strength of best practice.”

Christina Basedow, vice-president Western Canada, Edgewood Health Network –

“Edgewood Health Network (EHN Canada) is honoured to have this opportunity for collaboration and connection with Interior Health, and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in British Columbia. Our purpose is to provide all Canadians with accessible, affordable and excellent care for the treatment of substance-use disorder and concurrent mental health. This collaboration will allow many residents of Interior Health to access life-saving and life-changing treatment, and we are truly grateful to be a part of this partnership.”

Russell Purdy, executive director, Recovery Ranch –

“As a person in long-term recovery and now fortunate to work in the field, it brings me hope for people struggling with the disease of addiction to have the opportunity to access detox and treatment in a time that it is desperately needed. The partnership between Interior Health and Edgewood Health Network is a great step in bridging the gap for those who want to get help.”

Anonymous client –

“It means a lot to me. I can access detox, while being close to family. I really did not want to leave home to get help and now I don’t have to.”

Anonymous client –

“Being able to come here could change my life. I don’t know what treatment will be like for me but having the option to go is something really special because I couldn’t afford it.”

Learn More:

Learn about A Pathway to Hope, our government’s vision for mental health and addictions care in B.C.: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MMHA0049-001787

Read original release from BC Gov News

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