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Sooke Region’s mental health services critically insufficient
Kevin Laird, Sooke News Mirror • December 7, 2023
Sooke Region Communities Health Network calls for urgent government action
A recent report by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN) has shed light on the critical inadequacy of mental health and addiction services in the Sooke Region.
Despite the best efforts of local providers, the report highlights a critical need for significant improvements to essential services. This has a particularly negative impact on the youth and seniors within the community.
According to the report’s author, Hermione Jefferis, both young people and seniors are experiencing disproportionately higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to other age groups.
Jefferis emphasized the pressing need for services tailored specifically to address these demographics’ unique mental health needs during a presentation to Sooke council.
READ: Mental Health Substance Use and Addictions Report
Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information revealed that nearly one in five Canadians face mental health illness each year. However, many individuals encounter prolonged waiting periods to access the care they require, while others are left without any care or receive inadequate support.
The SRCHN report highlights significantly elevated occurrences of depression, mood disorders, and anxiety within the Sooke Region when compared to the rest of British Columbia.
The report provides recommendations encompassing a spectrum of services, including psychiatric emergency care, medical detoxification, in-patient treatment facilities, peer-to-peer support programs, and access to safe supplies, to address these concerning findings.
Christine Bossi, the executive director at SRCHN and an advisor on the report, emphasized the immediate need for increased funding and support from the provincial and federal governments.
Bossi added that despite the rising inflation and escalating needs, funding levels have stagnated since the pre-COVID era. Consequently, several non-profit organizations offering vital mental health and addiction services have been forced to shutter programs due to financial constraints.
Signs suggest the provincial government may consider an upsurge in mental health funding.
Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar referred to recent provincial government commitments, including a promise of $1 billion towards expanding treatment options and establishing specialized youth-focused “foundry centres.” These centers are intended to provide accessible walk-in counselling services, primary healthcare referrals, and specialized substance abuse services.
“I agree there is a need to provide those types of support for youth and people of all ages, as well as supply direct supports to people who are facing homlessness,” Parmar said during an interview.
Scheduled to meet with Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside in December, Parmar intends to address mental health concerns within the Sooke Region specifically.
Following the report’s release, SRCHN will advocate for the report’s recommendations to officials at all levels of government, raising awareness about the existing barriers and urging swift action. SRCHN is forming a regional mental health committee to address and discuss these critical issues.
Bossi highlighted the urgency for immediate solutions while suggesting interim options such as the Sooke Family Resources Society, Pacific Centre for Family Services, and private counsellors to cater to pressing needs.
“It’s a very big nut to crack,” she said. “Unfortunately, (the mental health problem) is just getting worse.”
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Update on the Sooke Region Community Health and Urgent and Primary Care Centre (CHC-UPCC) On April 29, 2024, the Government of BC announced the next phase of the BC Builds program. Lot A on Wadams Way in Sooke is one of the sites chosen and is the intended location for the Sooke Region CHC-UPCC. For the news release, see https://news.bchousing.org/bc-builds-adds-more-sites-to-fast-track-housing-for- people-with-middle-incomes/ As Maja Tait, mayor of Sooke, stated : "This marks another milestone in our journey toward realizing an integrated health centre for Sooke, where homes and essential services converge to meet the needs of our growing community. Together, we're forging a path toward a stronger, more inclusive future, ensuring vital services are within reach, right here at home." An information session will be held on May 9, 2024 at 10:30 am for interested developers. The BC Builds initial submissions are due July 25, 2024. Further information, including the property notice opportunity can be found at https://www.bcbuildshomes.ca/developers and then search the Sooke location. An important step towards the Sooke Region CHC-UPCC!
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Plans for the new integrated health-care centre in Sooke are gathering momentum, says Sooke Mayor Maja Tait. Sooke council directed staff to hire a consultant last week to assist with the competitive solicitation process for the design, build and financing of the project, which will have all medical services under one roof. “We need to pull it out of the ground,” Tait said. “We felt it was important to make that decision to get it out there in the public to keep the ball rolling and build momentum.” While the provincial health ministry has committed to covering the lease and implementation of staff, it is not funding the construction cost. “The aim is to find a developer who can work with us to make the building cost neutral, so cost recovery can come from other floors,” Tait explained. That may include commercial office space and affordable housing. The integrated health centre, which has been talked about for more than a decade, took a major step forward with the appointment of a steering committee by the District of Sooke last November that consists of representatives from Sooke council and three members of the Sooke Region Community Health Network (SRCHN). Their mandate is to research and develop options for a community health centre on land near the Sooke library on Wadams Way as lot A. SRCHN will be the community’s governing body for the new facility, which will include a community health centre and urgent care centre. “This centre is really needed in Sooke,” said Annemieke Holthuis, who took over as president of SRCHN last June. “SRCHN has recognized that need for a decade.” The steering committee meets monthly with the Ministry of Health and Island Health, and also weekly with Island Health. The current plan is based on one drafted in 2022 that involves the transfer of existing personnel and resources from West Coast Family Medical in Evergreen Centre to the new facility. Holthuis said a number of important steps are progressing, including work on the service delivery plan and preparing the request for proposal for development. Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar stressed that getting the centre up and running is a top priority, as underlined by former MLA John Horgan’s announcement last year to provide $6 million to equip the facility. ”We need to get builders in the community involved and find a solution,” Parmar said. “My focus is to get this up and running, and the ministry and I will help to move this along as quickly as possible. I’d like to see something by 2025. I don’t want to be talking about this in five years.” Holthuis said the committee aims to have the service delivery model finalized in the next few months. “That’s a key element of the RFP, which we hope will go out by late spring,” she said. The Ministry and Island Health have been “very” supportive, said Holthuis, who has an extensive background with non-profit organizations, and managed a similar integrated health care facility in Ontario. Part of the discussions with the ministry is about establishing staffing numbers based on Stats Canada data, which Holthuis noted is always a couple of years behind. “We want to ensure that what’s built has sufficient staff and space to deal with the community’s growing population,” Holthuis explained. “Once those stages are completed, we’ll be in a much better position to speak to the cost. “We’ve also asked for additional personnel to meet with the growing mental health needs in Sooke and for more family doctors and and nurse practitioners with a focus on team-based care,” she said. “We want to ensure that what’s built has sufficient staff and space to deal with the community’s growing population anticipated between 2025 and 2030.” Holthuis said discussion with potential partners about locating other services such as diagnostic imaging and laboratory services are ongoing. There is currently only one other similar integrated care centre in the province. Two more are planned, including the one in Sooke.
Sooke Rotary president John Topolniski, left, Rotary president-elect Deena Fiddler, Sooke Rotary secretary Jeanette Wilford, SRCHN board member Carol Pinalski, Roger Temple, chair of Sooke Rotary community service committee, SRCHN board vice-president Annemieke Holthuis, and SRCHN board president Mary Dunn with the $8,000 donation from Rotary for The Gathering Place. (File -Sooke News Mirror)
NEW WAYS TO HELP BUILD SOOKE GATHERING PLACE
Above: Melanie Cunningham, left, Carol Pinalski, Myrtle Acton, Bev Lewis and June Williams will compete for the Sooke Region Spectacular Senior Award, a fundraiser for The Gathering Place. The winner of the competition will be announed at the All Sooke Day Community Picnic on Aug. 19. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)
PLEDGE YOUR PROMISE TO HELP LATER Pledging means you commit to donate funds once a build date has been set. It's a promise to help later that we can take to the bank now. Please note that your pledge will be restricted to this purpose only and that you will be contacted when a date has been determined and your pledge becomes due.
To all who live here, Sooke Region is widely known to be the unofficial Volunteer Capital of Canada. Ask anyone who wants to get stuff done - we are pretty good at rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. Helping each other is the hallmark of our community brand.
People living in Sooke and the surrounding area will benefit from a new integrated health-care centre offering team-based services in the heart of Sooke village.
Seeking New Board Members and Advisors! Sooke Region Communities Health Network is working on two larger projects: Sooke Gathering Place, a seniors’ drop-in centre, under the Elders Complex; and the Sooke Region Community Health Centre to open in 2025. (link to project pages). We are looking for people who are passionate about Sooke and have previous experience as a Board member or experience in overseeing development projects, finance and accounting backgrounds. If you want to help SRCHN realize its mission to inn ovate, collaborate and improve services for all Sooke’s residents, please consider becoming a member of our Board or an advisor. For more information or to send an expression of interest (cover letter, resumé and references), please contact SRCHN’s President, Mary Dunn.
Update on the Sooke Region Community Health and Urgent and Primary Care Centre (CHC-UPCC) On April 29, 2024, the Government of BC announced the next phase of the BC Builds program. Lot A on Wadams Way in Sooke is one of the sites chosen and is the intended location for the Sooke Region CHC-UPCC. For the news release, see https://news.bchousing.org/bc-builds-adds-more-sites-to-fast-track-housing-for- people-with-middle-incomes/ As Maja Tait, mayor of Sooke, stated : "This marks another milestone in our journey toward realizing an integrated health centre for Sooke, where homes and essential services converge to meet the needs of our growing community. Together, we're forging a path toward a stronger, more inclusive future, ensuring vital services are within reach, right here at home." An information session will be held on May 9, 2024 at 10:30 am for interested developers. The BC Builds initial submissions are due July 25, 2024. Further information, including the property notice opportunity can be found at https://www.bcbuildshomes.ca/developers and then search the Sooke location. An important step towards the Sooke Region CHC-UPCC!
This is a subtitle for your new post
Plans for the new integrated health-care centre in Sooke are gathering momentum, says Sooke Mayor Maja Tait. Sooke council directed staff to hire a consultant last week to assist with the competitive solicitation process for the design, build and financing of the project, which will have all medical services under one roof. “We need to pull it out of the ground,” Tait said. “We felt it was important to make that decision to get it out there in the public to keep the ball rolling and build momentum.” While the provincial health ministry has committed to covering the lease and implementation of staff, it is not funding the construction cost. “The aim is to find a developer who can work with us to make the building cost neutral, so cost recovery can come from other floors,” Tait explained. That may include commercial office space and affordable housing. The integrated health centre, which has been talked about for more than a decade, took a major step forward with the appointment of a steering committee by the District of Sooke last November that consists of representatives from Sooke council and three members of the Sooke Region Community Health Network (SRCHN). Their mandate is to research and develop options for a community health centre on land near the Sooke library on Wadams Way as lot A. SRCHN will be the community’s governing body for the new facility, which will include a community health centre and urgent care centre. “This centre is really needed in Sooke,” said Annemieke Holthuis, who took over as president of SRCHN last June. “SRCHN has recognized that need for a decade.” The steering committee meets monthly with the Ministry of Health and Island Health, and also weekly with Island Health. The current plan is based on one drafted in 2022 that involves the transfer of existing personnel and resources from West Coast Family Medical in Evergreen Centre to the new facility. Holthuis said a number of important steps are progressing, including work on the service delivery plan and preparing the request for proposal for development. Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar stressed that getting the centre up and running is a top priority, as underlined by former MLA John Horgan’s announcement last year to provide $6 million to equip the facility. ”We need to get builders in the community involved and find a solution,” Parmar said. “My focus is to get this up and running, and the ministry and I will help to move this along as quickly as possible. I’d like to see something by 2025. I don’t want to be talking about this in five years.” Holthuis said the committee aims to have the service delivery model finalized in the next few months. “That’s a key element of the RFP, which we hope will go out by late spring,” she said. The Ministry and Island Health have been “very” supportive, said Holthuis, who has an extensive background with non-profit organizations, and managed a similar integrated health care facility in Ontario. Part of the discussions with the ministry is about establishing staffing numbers based on Stats Canada data, which Holthuis noted is always a couple of years behind. “We want to ensure that what’s built has sufficient staff and space to deal with the community’s growing population,” Holthuis explained. “Once those stages are completed, we’ll be in a much better position to speak to the cost. “We’ve also asked for additional personnel to meet with the growing mental health needs in Sooke and for more family doctors and and nurse practitioners with a focus on team-based care,” she said. “We want to ensure that what’s built has sufficient staff and space to deal with the community’s growing population anticipated between 2025 and 2030.” Holthuis said discussion with potential partners about locating other services such as diagnostic imaging and laboratory services are ongoing. There is currently only one other similar integrated care centre in the province. Two more are planned, including the one in Sooke.
Sooke Rotary president John Topolniski, left, Rotary president-elect Deena Fiddler, Sooke Rotary secretary Jeanette Wilford, SRCHN board member Carol Pinalski, Roger Temple, chair of Sooke Rotary community service committee, SRCHN board vice-president Annemieke Holthuis, and SRCHN board president Mary Dunn with the $8,000 donation from Rotary for The Gathering Place. (File -Sooke News Mirror)
NEW WAYS TO HELP BUILD SOOKE GATHERING PLACE
Above: Melanie Cunningham, left, Carol Pinalski, Myrtle Acton, Bev Lewis and June Williams will compete for the Sooke Region Spectacular Senior Award, a fundraiser for The Gathering Place. The winner of the competition will be announed at the All Sooke Day Community Picnic on Aug. 19. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)
PLEDGE YOUR PROMISE TO HELP LATER Pledging means you commit to donate funds once a build date has been set. It's a promise to help later that we can take to the bank now. Please note that your pledge will be restricted to this purpose only and that you will be contacted when a date has been determined and your pledge becomes due.
To all who live here, Sooke Region is widely known to be the unofficial Volunteer Capital of Canada. Ask anyone who wants to get stuff done - we are pretty good at rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. Helping each other is the hallmark of our community brand.
People living in Sooke and the surrounding area will benefit from a new integrated health-care centre offering team-based services in the heart of Sooke village.
Seeking New Board Members and Advisors! Sooke Region Communities Health Network is working on two larger projects: Sooke Gathering Place, a seniors’ drop-in centre, under the Elders Complex; and the Sooke Region Community Health Centre to open in 2025. (link to project pages). We are looking for people who are passionate about Sooke and have previous experience as a Board member or experience in overseeing development projects, finance and accounting backgrounds. If you want to help SRCHN realize its mission to inn ovate, collaborate and improve services for all Sooke’s residents, please consider becoming a member of our Board or an advisor. For more information or to send an expression of interest (cover letter, resumé and references), please contact SRCHN’s President, Mary Dunn.
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CONTACT
Office : 204-2120 Church Rd,
Sooke BC, V9Z 0W7
Mail: PO Box 642 Sooke BC, V9Z 1H6
Office Tel: 778-365-1878
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