FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government has launched the New Brunswick Addiction and Mental Health Helpline, a free, confidential, bilingual, 24-hour service for those looking to speak to someone about concerns related to mental health and addictions.

A team of trained clinicians called care coaches are now available to offer information, support and guidance to people who dial 1-866-355-5550. The care coaches include licensed clinical therapists, social workers, registered nurses and other professionals who have education and experience in social services, mental health and/or addictions.

“We are pleased to offer this new service, where care coaches will assess each caller and offer guidance and help with finding the right service for them,” said Sherry Wilson, minister responsible for addictions and mental health services. “They can also provide crisis support when necessary, offer guidance to family members, friends, and people from community agencies who are trying to support someone in need, and can offer follow-up calls when appropriate.”

If someone requires urgent assistance, they can be referred to Addiction and Mental Health Mobile Crisis Services, to the local emergency room, or they can request aid from emergency services via 911.

The project is expected to cost about $1.3 million a year.

One pillar of the Provincial Health Plan, entitled Stabilizing Health Care: An Urgent Call To Action, is focused on Access to Addiction and Mental Health Services. Launching the helpline was one of the goals in that plan. However, the department has also introduced several other resources to improve access including:

  • Open access to one-at-a-time therapy, which is now available at all community addiction and mental health clinics.
  • Additional treatment beds at Campbellton’s Addiction and Mental Health Live-In Rehabilitation Centre to support people needing a high-intensity recovery program.
  • A pilot project with Planet Youth that has helped to decrease drug and alcohol usage among young people in other countries.

While the 1-866-355-5550 helpline was only officially launched today, existing support services have been referring patients to the care coaches for several months.

They received a total of 1,120 calls in April and May. About 20 per cent of those calls were crisis related.

About 90 per cent of the crisis-related calls were de-escalated by the care coaches and diverted away from local emergency departments and 911. About 400 patients were successfully referred to community or government services.

More information about the helpline is available online.

11-07-23