Community Recovery Team (CRT) established to expand mental health support in Moose Jaw
A new Community Recovery Team (CRT) in Moose Jaw has received government funding, enabling them to facilitate more intensive supports for people living with complex, persistent mental health challenges.
The announcement was made in Moose Jaw on Wednesday, February 13, as the Government of Saskatchewan has dedicated $4.2 million in targeted funding to launch a team in Moose Jaw and seven other communities.
“Community Recovery Teams support their clients in a way that is tailored to their individual needs, bringing care to them – out in the community,” said Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence. “This is an important step forward in our government’s commitment to improving mental health services.” Community Recovery Teams (CRTs) use a holistic, team-based approach to help clients manage symptoms, avoid hospitalization, achieve their individual goals, and thrive in the community. The 10-person Moose Jaw CRT includes an Assessor Coordinator, two Occupational Therapists, five Community Mental Health Nurses and two Mental Health Therapists.
There are also multidisciplinary activities with psychiatrists, an adult psychologist, adult services and counsellors who are part of Mental Health and Addictions Services in Moose Jaw. “This new funding has enabled us to expand the team in Moose Jaw, which was already operating in this capacity. It also allowed us to make these specialized services available to more people in our com- munity, and add services that were not previously available,” said Director of Mental Health and Addictions (South West) for the Saskatchewan Health Authority Michael Seiferling. “Our residents will benefit from this expanded access.”
Natasha Gilbert, Team Leader of the Moose Jaw Recovery Team says that the funding will expand their services to help those who require greater assistance in their recovery process. “We are pleased with the announcement that enhances appropriate and accessible support for individuals who experience severe and persistent mental illness and co-existing substance abuse difficulties,” Gilbert said following the announcement. “The increased and sustainable funding allows us to expand our multidisciplinary team, to include relevant disciplines to aid those who are in greatest need in moving forward in their recovery. It also provides community supports that assist clients in managing their recovery in community settings. The Community Recovery Team project will ensure that no matter where in the province, the individuals that are in greatest need will receive similar care,” Gilbert emphasized.
CRTs support Saskatchewan’s Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and are also being launched in Regina, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Swift Current, Weyburn, Yorkton, and Saskatoon. Funding for this comes from the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Funding Agreement announced in January 2017. The federal government is providing Saskatchewan with close to $350 million over 10 years for targeted incremental investments in home and community care, and mental health and addiction services.