LAKELAND – Weekly mental health and addiction walk-in clinics are being opened in St. Paul, Bonnyville and Cold Lake, following announcements by Alberta Health Services (AHS) on Nov. 16.
The walk-in clinics are in addition to already existing appointment-based daily services available in the communities, according to AHS.
The mental health services walk-in clinics in Bonnyville, Cold Lake and St. Paul will be available from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., every Tuesday.
Mental Health Walk-in Clinics
In Bonnyville, individuals seeking support for various mental health concerns can visit New Park Place in 5201 44 St. For more information, call 780-826-2404.
In St. Paul, individuals can visit St. Therese – St. Paul Healthcare Centre in 4713 48 Ave. Call 780-645-1850 for more information.
In Cold Lake, patients can access a mental health services walk-in clinic every Tuesday at the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre, second floor, 314 25 St. Call 780-639-4922 for more information.
“The walk-in clinic is a first point of contact for people seeking support for a variety of mental health concerns,” according to AHS.
Lakeland This Week reached out to the mayors of the Town of Bonnyville and the Town of St. Paul for comment on the announcement.
Town of Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau stated she had not heard about the announcement and would require more time to better understand the new initiative.
While Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller stated the AHS announcement was news to her as well. She noted the new walk-in clinics will be a “fabulous opportunity for the community to address needs that do not require full resources of the emergency department.”
“Having residents utilize a family physician for continuing care and have access to a walk-in centre is best option of care,” she stated.
Addiction Walk-in Clinics
Clinics providing counselling services for individuals with addiction, or family members or friends who know someone struggling with addiction, are also available.
In Bonnyville, the walk-in clinic is available at the AHS Addictions Services Bonnyville office at 4902 50 Ave. Call 780-826-8054 for more information.
In St. Paul, the walk-in clinic is available at the AHS Addictions Services St. Paul office in 5025 49 Ave.
In Cold Lake, an addiction walk-in clinic is also open every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays from 8:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the AHS Addiction Services office, 5013 51 Street. Call 780-594-7556 for more information on the addiction services walk-in clinic.
“The walk-in clinic provides counselling services for individuals with addiction, as well as for family members or friends with a loved one with an addiction,” according to AHS.
New options for quick access
When asked if AHS plans to extend beyond the two-hour timeframe for the weekly walk-in clinics in St. Paul, the provincial health authority responded by saying, “There are currently no plans to expand the hours of the new addiction and mental health walk-in clinics in St. Paul.”
The statement further adds the walk-in clinics were opened to “make it as easy as possible for people to get help.”
“Clients now have the option of scheduling an appointment or visiting us during our walk-in times and speaking with a counsellor right away,” stated the AHS.
According to Nicholas Milliken, Minister of Health and Addiction, the provincial government is building a “comprehensive recovery-oriented system of care." And “any Albertan” struggling with mental health or challenges with addiction “will benefit from increases access to services that support their pursuit of recovery.”
Lois Ryan-Ottley, Director for Addiction and Mental Health in AHS North Zone, also stated in the provincial announcement the new weekly clinics will provide quicker access to mental health therapists or addiction counsellors, “particularly for those who may find scheduling appointments challenging.”
