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.