City of Red Deer embraces new approach to mental health and addiction recovery
Red Deer AdvocateSep 27, 2022
In March, the Alberta government released its "Toward an
The council proposes that the province shift from a care model that emphasizes providing short-term treatment to one that focuses on long-term management of mental health and addictions issues and moves away from a "one-size-fits-all" treatment approach. It is also recommended that clients play a larger role in choosing treatment options in consultation with health professionals.
Clients would also be better served by improving communication between various health professionals and agencies providing help as well as doing more follow-up to see that they are attending programs or getting services. The new approach also calls for more assessment to see if treatment or counselling is working and if not to look at it is a systemic problem and not an individual failure.
The council recommends that a shared vision and collective commitment to treating mental health and addiction be established among, individuals and families to education, justice, health and social servies professionals and agencies to the philanthropic and private sectors. It is also recommended that foundational supports be improved and better systems of measuring outcomes be developed, as well as strengthening recovery-oriented care systems.
In a notice of motion read by Mayor
Council directs administration to:
• Integrate a recovery-focused approach into city operations where applicable
• Partner with community agencies around a recovery-focused approach
• Work with the Government of Alberta administration to advance recovery-focused initiatives for the community
• Work with the community to help Red Deerians embrace recovery across the health and wellness continuum of care, in the pursuit of individual and community health, safety, and well-being.
City council is set to discuss the notice of motion at its