The Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH) has received a significant amount of funding to assist with mental health services in the community. The $1.1-million in funding supports three areas in mental health programming including enhanced collaboration with police, improved access to short term counselling, and increased access to temporary housing.
PRH President and CEO, Pierre Noel, says this will have a significant impact on the $8-million budget for the Mental Health Services of Renfrew County program offered by the hospital. Noel says the $1.1-million in provincial and federal funding is the largest investment to support mental health in many years. Over the last five years, the Pembroke Regional Hospital has seen a 28% increase in the number of police related calls involving front line responders for mental health and addictions services.
The new funding will support crisis beds in the community providing short term accommodation to those at risk of homelessness until longer term housing plans can be put in place. Going forward, Mobile Crisis Team staff members will be located within OPP detachments in Pembroke and Renfrew to allow for a coordinated and proactive response to calls. A new transition support team will also be established for crisis clients. That team will be made up of a social worker, housing support worker, addictions counsellor, case manager and court diversion worker.
The announcement comes with high praise from the Renfrew OPP detachment commander, Inspector Colin Slight, and Crown Attorney, Jeffery Patterson, who says this will ensure those who run into conflicts with the law and have mental illnesses are dealt with in a manner that takes their illness into account, holds them accountable for their offenses and protects the public by offering ongoing support and supervision.
(Photo: Members of the Renfrew County Mobile Crisis Team. Front row, from left: Molly Fulton, Cheryl Summers, Adrienne Jacyno and Nancy Lounsbury. Back row, from left: Devon Recoskie, Tamara Brand, Kelsey Michaud, Rachel Lawrence and Chrissy Payne. Missing from photo: Peter Emon, Jean Smith and Josee Trudel)