Integration of Mental Health Services Announced

News Releases

February 10, 2011 - Mental health services and programs delivered through the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (YHSSA) and the Stanton Territorial Health Authority (STHA) have now been integrated. The integration will improve visibility, access and care coordination for clients from across the Northwest Territories (NWT).

“Our goal as a government is to find ways of improving care for our residents,” said Minister of Health and Social Services, Sandy Lee. “Integrating staff from the YHSSA social programs and the STHA mental health clinic into one community-based mental health team will improve care and ensure that our system runs efficiently and affordably.”

Community-based adult services, case management, psychological services and psychiatric nursing have been relocated to the former Gibson Medical Clinic space, and renamed “Community Mental Health and Adult Services.” Earlier this month, YHSSA began delivering services from this site and the Stanton Mental Health Clinic formally closed.

Community-based psychiatric services will be co-located with other counselling services currently located at the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre. Counselling services will also continue to be provided at the Frame Lake Community Health Clinic.

The integration is a priority in the Department of Health and Social Services’ A Foundation for Change, and the Government of the Northwest Territories’ efforts to realize the 16th Legislative Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated Northerners.

For more information, contact:

Damien Healy
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Tel: (867) 920-8927