Mental Health & Addictions Services

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine program is operated at the health centre by the WPSHC Rural Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (NPLC). It provides an accessible and culturally sensitive clinic for individuals aged 16 and above who wish to address their substance or alcohol use. Patients have the option to self-refer, and referrals may also be made by healthcare providers.
Our team possesses expertise in assisting individuals facing challenges related to alcohol and substance use, understanding the difficulties involved in seeking help. They acknowledge the importance of integrating counseling services with treatment and collaborate closely with the NPLC Social Worker, Mental Health and Addictions Worker, and local counselors.
Individuals are welcome to visit the clinic regardless of whether they are unsure about their addiction status or if they are already aware of the issue and seeking support.

What to Bring

• OHIP card (if you have one)
• List of medications, including prescribed and non-prescribed.
• If you are experiencing anxiety or uncertainty about visiting the RAAM Clinic, consider bringing a support person along to help alleviate feelings of being overwhelmed and isolated.

Services Provided

Care that is culturally competent.

• Assess substance and/or alcohol use concerns (includes multi-substance use) and concurrent mental health concerns.
• Initiate pharmacotherapy if indicated: Alcohol Use Disorders, Opioid Use Disorders.
• Anti-craving medication for alcohol.
• Suboxone/Sublocade induction and stabilization. Provide harm reduction interventions and advice.
• Provide solution-focused counselling.
• Provide trauma-informed care.
• Make appropriate links to community partners for addiction, psychosocial and social support services.
• Transition clients back to their primary care provider when stable help in connecting clients to a Primary Care provider if needed.
• Provide Harm Reduction Supplies and naloxone (Narcan), during business hours.

Services Not Provided

• Clients experiencing acute or severe withdrawal should contact emergency services by calling 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department.
• Replacement of primary care services.
• Long-term psychotherapy.
• Management of acute psychiatric illness.
• Diagnosis, treatment, or opioid prescriptions for chronic pain.
• Prescribe or manage methadone.
• Safe injection site services.

Developed in 2022, WPSHC’s Safe Bed Program aims to provide wrap around services that are focused on the needs and overall well-being on individuals who are justice-involved or at-risk of justice system involvement. It provides short-term (up to 30 days) in-patient stays and connection to programs and services that can help patients get/stay on track. The intention of the Safe Bed Program is to:

• Support Crisis Resolution / Provide Crisis Mitigation.
• Divert People in Mental Health Crisis Away from Emergency Departments and the Criminal Justice System/ Detention.
• Direct and Connect People to the Care and Supports They Need.
• Help Connect People with the Support They Need Moving Forward.

Who can we help?

People in frequent and/or immediate contact with police Patients in the Safe Beds are:

• In mental health and/or addiction crises AND
• Medically stable and not a safety risk to themselves or others.

Therefore, these patients are:

• Deemed unsuitable for hospital admission by medical professionals.
• Inappropriate for arrest and detention by police.
• In need of supportive, short-term mental health residential placement.

The patient is/has:

• Valid OHIP coverage.
• A member of the Parry Sound or surrounding community.
• 18+ years of age (16+ years of age: considered in special circumstances).
• Affected by a mental illness/mental health problems AND/OR substance use/addictions issue (diagnosis not required).
• With or at risk for justice involvement.
• Likely to benefit from increased levels of mental health care and supports.
• Able to be safely supported in the community upon discharge.
• Consenting to referral to the Safe Beds Initiative.

A nurse navigator is a registered health care professional who is a specialized personal advocate and can help you navigate a treatment process. They assess emotional, clinical, financial, psychological, spiritual and other patient needs. They work with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive services to their patients while reporting and monitoring things like treatment response and other types of progress.

In collaboration with the DSSAB, the Mental Health and Addictions Worker provides support to clients engaged with their financial aid, housing and emergency shelter programs. The Mental Health and Addictions Worker also plays an active role in the SJB program and the RAAM clinic. The Mental Health and Addictions Worker alternates days between the DSSAB, (East and West Parry Sound) and the WPSHC. The role provides critical system navigation support and links hard-to-reach clients with community programs.

A WPSHC In-Patient Social Worker supports the Alternate Level of Care “Home First Program” and also sees any WPSHC In-patients as requested by the Attending Physician. The Social Worker plays an active role in family communication and provides short-term therapy as needed during their stay as in-patients.

A WPSHC In-Patient Social Worker works collaboratively with Hospice West Parry Sound by providing grief counselling to clients. Contact Hospice West Parry Sound for more information.