Cowichan Valley – People in the Cowichan Valley will soon benefit from a new Wellness and Recovery Centre. The new Centre, which opens in fall 2020, will provide a range of services to support people living with addiction and mental health concerns. It will bring together primary care, harm reduction, case management, overdose prevention, and on-site treatment in one location, at 5878 York Road, Duncan.
“I’m thrilled to see this new place of healing coming to the Cowichan Valley,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This wellness and recovery centre will allow countless people to access the mental health and substance use services they need and deserve and help them on their pathway to healing and hope.”
“We are pleased to find a location that allows us to expand the mental health and substance use services so desperately needed in Cowichan,” said Leah Hollins, Board Chair, Island Health. “People will now have seamless access to a range of services that support health and wellness.”
Existing community mental health and substance use services will be moved to the Centre, including outreach teams. These complement new services, which include nursing, supports for people in their treatment and recovery, and improved access to treatment for opioid use disorder.
While Island Health prepares to open the Wellness and Recovery Centre, overdose prevention services will continue to be located at 221 Trunk Road and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan Valley, until the Centre opens. The service is open 7 days a week from 1-7 p.m.
“This project is another example of the incredible things the people of Cowichan can achieve by working together,” said Sonia Furstenau, MLA for the Cowichan Valley. “Having one, easily accessible place where people can come for mental health and substance use supports will contribute significantly to the health and wellness of our entire region.”
The Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan Valley Branch (CMHA) has operated the Overdose Prevention Service under contract and funding from Island Health since September 2017.
“We are grateful for the commitment and support CMHA is providing to vulnerable people in the Cowichan Valley through the overdose prevention service,” said Keva Glynn, Executive Director, Mental Health and Substance Use, Public Health, and Child Youth Strategy with Island Health. “Island Health has issued a request for proposal to identify a service provider that can support the Wellness and Recovery Centre.”
Island Health has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) for an overdose prevention and opioid treatment service provider in the Cowichan Valley. The RFP will be open until May 13 and can be viewed at BC Bid at http://www.bcbid.ca/.
Island Health will work with our partners and clients to ensure a smooth transition for individuals who use overdose prevention services. Island Health will continue to collaborate with our community partners on the broad social challenges linked with mental health and substance use. Island Health is also committed to continuing to work with neighbours to address concerns.
About Island Health:
Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 800,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 22,000 staff and over 2,000 physician partners, 6,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of foundations and auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and addictions services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge, geographically diverse region.
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Cowichan/South Island media inquiries:
Cheryl Bloxham
250-370-8878
Cheryl.Bloxham@islandhealth.ca