Walk-in mental health services expanded

A mental health walk-in clinic is now available in Charlottetown, and other clinics are expanding in Prince County in an effort to strengthen mental health services for Islanders.

Similar to existing clinics in Prince County, the new Charlottetown walk-in clinic helps Islanders dealing with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

It is located at Richmond Centre (1 Rochford St.) and will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No appointment or referral is needed.

Mental health walk-in clinics in Prince County are also being expanded to include a new clinic at the Lennox Island Health Centre on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and an additional clinic on Thursdays in Summerside at Prince County Hospital, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those visiting the walk-in clinics can see a registered community mental health therapist for up to one hour. Sessions focus on the individual’s needs,

wants and strengths. At the end of the session, the individual will receive a brief written summary of what was discussed and suggestions or recommendations, including referrals to services offered by community mental health.

“We have seen the positive impact mental health walkin clinics elsewhere in the province are having on Islanders and their families, and we want to build on that in the Charlottetown area so that we can help even more Islanders access mental health supports,” said community mental health manager Shirley Cole.

“The walk-in counselling service provides much-needed, timely access to professional mental health support for individuals with non-crisis issues. For many, the walk-in clinic session can have a tremendous impact as individuals often just need to talk with someone.”

More than 230 Islanders have accessed mental health support at weekly walk-in clinics in Summerside and O’Leary at Westisle Composite High School since they were first established.