Camrose... Alberta Health & Wellness has approved $3.2 million in funding for three new projects that will improve and expand mental health services in East Central Health.

The three East Central Health projects are the latest approved under the Mental Health Innovation Fund which will provide $75 million over three years to support implementation of regional mental health plans developed by all nine regional health authorities. 

"Mental health deserves the same care and attention as other health issues," said Iris Evans, Minister of Health and Wellness. "With one in five people developing a mental illness at some point in their life, these three new East Central Health projects will make a substantial difference in the lives of Albertans by providing necessary mental health services to the people who need them."

 Highlights of the three projects include:

 Crisis Response Community Integration Teams - $1,407, 842

• Two mobile multi-disciplinary teams based in Lloydminster and Camrose will respond to immediate mental health crises, working with the individual clients, their support systems and community agencies to stabilize the client, minimize the risk of harm to self and others, and ensure follow through treatment to the point where an emergency level of care is no longer required. 

Shared Mental Health Care For Family Physicians - $820,432

• This program is aimed at increasing the regional response to mental health needs by increasing the opportunities for family physicians and other health professionals (for example, nurses) to link with mental health services in the community, and with mental health specialists within and outside the region. This will increase the capacity of the region�s primary health care system to provide mental health services.

Seniors Community Mental Health Outreach Services - $933,359

• Expanding community mental health services for seniors will ensure a consistent level of service and respond to the growth in the elderly population across the region. Working with partner organizations in the area of geriatric care, Seniors Community Mental Health Outreach Services staff will build on the existing geriatric assessment team to provide non-emergency mental health assessment and consultation, short-term care management, therapeutic interventions and appropriate referral to other services for mentally ill seniors and their caregivers.

The three projects are in keeping with Alberta's Third Way plan for health renewal, which calls for improving access to mental health services and setting mental health goals and targets. 

Projects funded by the Mental Health Innovation Fund are planned to be fully operational in 2006.