Starting on September 4, Westshore residents will have improved access to mental health and substance use support services with the opening of the new Westshore Mental Health and Substance Use Hub.
"The toxic drugs crisis is taking too many lives and hurting families and communities across our country, and the Westshore is no exception,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister for Mental Health and Addictions. “As our communities grow, the need for care that people can count on close to home also grows. This hub will make it easier for people to get the care they need without travelling all the way into Victoria."
Located at 681 Allandale Rd. in Colwood, the Westshore Mental Health and Substance Use Hub will be open five days a week, offering community-based care, same-day walk-in or call-in counselling and assessments, care planning, integrated services, and referrals to higher levels of care when needed. The purpose-built site includes meeting space, clinical consult and exam spaces, as well as a dedicated gathering space.
"With the opening of this hub, we're taking a significant step in addressing the growing need for mental-health and substance use services in our communities," said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. "By providing local, integrated care for a range of needs, we're creating a more responsive and effective system that can truly support individuals throughout their recovery journey."
The Hub will serve people with moderate to less severe conditions, including depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions as well as addictions. The Hub team includes professionals from various fields such as psychiatry, addictions medicine, nursing, counselling, occupational therapy and peer support. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a seamless care experience for clients, whether they are seeking help for mental-health issues, substance use concerns or both. Clients requiring ongoing support will get help from a Care Coordinator who will be their main point of contact during their care journey. The Care Coordinator will tailor services to that person's unique needs, helping them to navigate supports on their unique pathway to wellness and recovery.
Dr. Nelson Collins, South Island Medical Director and South Island Psychiatry Division Head, emphasizes the importance of this integrated approach. "The hub model is the best way to provide community mental-health and substance use services," said Collins. "By bringing together a diverse team of experts under one roof, we can provide more cohesive, personalized care that adapts to each individual's journey towards recovery."
The Hub's services were developed in consultation with local Indigenous communities to ensure they are culturally informed and relevant. This collaborative approach aims to make care accessible and appropriate for all community members.
Quotes
Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin
"It takes courage and strength for someone take the step of asking for help, and when they do, they need quality integrated services close to home. We are taking action to make sure that people in our community have access to the care and supports they need to get well and stay well, knowing help is there when they need it."
Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca
"As our Westshore community grows, so does the need for accessible services close to home. The Westshore Hub will make it easier for residents to get the help they need without the burden of long travel, ensuring more people receive timely support."
Janine Theobald, Executive Director, Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island
"Meeting people where they are is often the first step on their recovery journey. The MHSU Western Communities Hub model expands services to where they are needed, close to home,” said. “We look forward exploring the opportunity to bring our peer and caregiver supports in this new and innovative space!"
Tracy Taylor, Peer Support Team Lead, Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island
"As a person with lived experience of mental illness I know the value of having accessible services in one’s own community. My recovery journey was only possible because mental health supports were within walking distance of my home. These services change and save lives."
Rob Sam, Indigenous Liaison, Pacific Family Centre Being Indigenous
"Connections to community and relationships with family are absolutely critical for building strong, kind and caring people. Being Indigenous, these aspects are key to our existence. Part of addressing the wrongs that have been done to our people means ensuring access to culturally safe mental health, social and emotional supports for our people. These aspects and supports must all be embedded also within language, culture and traditions, no matter what Nation the person/family is from. Upon living in a healthy environment with supports, relationships can flourish to help the healing of these connections. The new Western Communities Hub offers more opportunity for indigenous community members to access supports and services closer to home and in collaboration with health services in local indigenous communities that offer connection to cultural traditions. I look forward to seeing the opening of this new service."