New 24-Hour Support for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Kelowna

Kelowna is one of three areas that will be getting targeted support for people with mental health and substance use disorders.

Health Minister Terry Lake announced the new support on Friday. These new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and crisis response team will be sent to Kelowna, Kamloops, and the Cariboo-Chilcotin, and will act as the first of their kind in the Interior. Unlike traditional programs, the ACT team will be reaching out to clients, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They'll make client contact as often as two to three times each day, depending on the individual's needs.

“While we have a strong base of services for people with mental health and substance use issues, there are some clients who require more intensive intervention and support to live a healthier life,” said Lake. “This will be possible with these new ACT and crisis response teams, and is just one example of work going on throughout the province to support those in need of additional support.”

The ACT teams will have mental health and substance use professionals who are from different backgrounds. The members of these teams will work together to give treatment, rehabilitation, and support to people with severe substance use and mental health challenges.

The funding for these teams is jointly provided for, with Interior Health giving $2 million to the project and the Ministry of Health matching that amount. Interior Health is currently working on hiring staff for these teams, and would like to see the teams ready by February. They hope to start the clinical programs in the late spring and early summer.

In the Cariboo-Chilcotin area, a crisis response team will be sent to Williams Lake, with two nurses giving coverage seven days a week and supporting clients who need more intensive treatment and follow-up.

The Thursday announcement is partially funded by the $20.25 million put aside for health authorities to give to more local programs and supports so that care can be improved for the severely addicted and mentally ill.