Walk-in mental health care added in Charlottetown, expands in Prince County
Strengthening mental health services
A mental health walk-in clinic is now available in Charlottetown – and other clinics are expanding in Prince County – to strengthen mental-health services for Islanders.
Similar to existing clinics in Prince County, the new Charlottetown walk-in clinic helps Islanders dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It is located at Richmond Centre (1 Rochford Street) and will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment or referral is needed.
“Mental health, like other medical conditions, can require immediate support and professional care,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson. “As a government we know that it is critical to provide timely access to mental health services for individuals in need. By expanding our mental health walk-in clinics, we are eliminating barriers associated with waiting lists and access to care, and we are providing a safe, accessible space to improve the mental health outcomes and overall well-being of Islanders.”
Mental health walk-in clinics in Prince County are also being expanded to include a new clinic at the Lennox Island Health Centre on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and an additional clinic on Thursdays in Summerside (Prince County Hospital) from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Those visiting the walk-in clinics can see a registered community mental health therapist for up to one hour. Sessions focus on the individual’s needs, wants, and strengths. At the end of the session, the individual will receive a brief written summary of what was discussed and suggestions or recommendations, including referrals to services offered by Community Mental Health.
“We have seen the positive impact mental health walk-in clinics elsewhere in the province are having on Islanders and their families, and we want to build on that in the Charlottetown area so that we can help even more Islanders access mental health supports,” said community mental health manager Shirley Cole. “The walk-in counseling service provides much-needed, timely access to professional mental health support for individuals with non-crisis issues. For many, the walk-in clinic session can have a tremendous impact, as individuals often just need to talk with someone.”
More than 230 Islanders have accessed mental health support at weekly mental health walk-in clinics in Prince County (both in Summerside and in O’Leary at Westisle High School) since they were first established.
More information about mental health services, including clinic schedules, is available at www.healthpei.ca/mentalhealth or by contacting a local community mental health office. However, Islanders who need immediate mental health crisis intervention can visit their local hospital emergency department or call the Island Helpline toll-free at 1-800-218-2885.
Phone: (902) 368-6135