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CLARK’S HARBOUR, N.S. Its been just over a year since Nova Scotia Healths Mental Health and Addictions Program began offering services at the Clark’s Harbour medical clinic.
To better accommodate the demand, the clinic is being renovated with the addition of an office and a new layout in the waiting area.
The service has been well utilized in Clarks Harbour since clinics first started being offered locally, says Fraser Mooney, of Nova Scotia Health communications. The success of the program is why we needed to look at how to better organize the space, especially with the addition of primary care clinics.
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Mooney says Mayor Rex Stoddard and Clarks Harbour town council have been a driving force and accommodating partners in ensuring the wellness of their community is a priority.
Thanks to their support, an empty physicians office was made available for free to Mental Health and Addictions last year. The space included two small offices and a clerical area, where therapeutic support for children, youth, and adults could be offered,” says Mooney. “The office space was used by a nurse practitioner and an RN with Primary Health Care every Monday. Mental Health and Addictions provided appointments Tuesday through Thursday.
While renovations are underway, the nurse practitioner and family practice nurse are seeing patients at the clinic space in Barrington. As well, Mental Health and Addictions clients are offered virtual appointments or in-person sessions in Barrington until the renovations are completed.
The addition of a third office will allow primary care and Mental Health and Addictions Services providers to work better together, says Mooney.
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The renovations are expected to be completed by late August.
The Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society has been a driving force in the community to improve mental health resources over the past two years. Co-founder Louann Link is seeing a difference.
A lot of people are reaching out for help. They wouldnt talk about it before, but now people are talking about it,” she says. “People message me all the time. They are struggling, have addictions and they want help.”
Over the past year, the Jevon Link Society has partnered with Bereaved Families of Nova Scotia to improve mental health resources in the area, including facilitator training for grief groups and traumatic loss. The society also frequently delivers SafeTALK four-hour workshops that encourage people to talk about suicide and their mental health.
Link would like to see an Addictions Anonymous (AA) group start up in the Barrington as an additional support to help people stay on track.
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