New supports and services were announced by minister for mental health and addictions Sheila Malcolmson during an event on Thursday, Aug. 25. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

social services

New supports coming to Nanaimo for people with mental health & substance use challenges

Aug 25, 2022 | 1:43 PM

NANAIMO — New supports and services are preparing to come online over the next three years to prevent people slipping into homelessness.

The provincial government announced plans for up to 30 home support spaces in Nanaimo, targeted to people who are at risk of becoming homeless due to mental health and addictions challenges, trauma or acquired brain injury.

Nanaimo MLA and minister for mental health and addictions Sheila Malcolmson said at an event on Thursday, Aug. 25, once the positions are in place they’ll help stop a spiral before it starts.

“When someone’s been discharged from hospital and they need extra primary care supports, it’s more efficient to bring those extra practitioners into a person’s home, stabilize them and get them well.”

Malcolmson said 10 spaces will be online by spring 2023 with the remainder to come in two phases in 2024 and 2025.

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The operation will be run by Island Health in conjunction with the province, BC Housing and local service providers, with the number of spaces coming online being dictated by staffing capacity.

Malcolmson added once in place, team members will be able to intervene when housing operators say they are potentially needing to evict a person who is a threat to the building or other residents, but who will be more destructive on the streets.

“In some cases, that’s what complex care housing services will look like, piling on those extra supports so the person can stabilize and get well.”

Services offered will include access to addiction treatments, overdose prevention and education, mental health services, occupational therapy and more.

“Everybody deserves a home, a place where they can live with care and in dignity. This of course includes…people that have been living with serious and untreated mental health, substance use challenges often with acquired brain injury. They’ve historically fallen through the cracks.”

Malcolmson said their needs have lead to a cycle of eviction and homelessness, which frequently sees trips to jail or hospital emergency rooms.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, who has long advocated for enhanced supports and services to address the growing challenges in the city, said while it’s not everything he’s asked for in the past, such as involuntary care, it’s a major step forward.

“Any complex care beds are welcome, whether they’re voluntary or involuntary. I will still advocate for security, involuntary care for some severe cases, but I welcome…these beds as well.”

He added these services in the city will be available when a person realizes they need the support.

“We know there are people who come to a moment in their lives when they’re prepared to engage in treatment and this is what’s needed. Right now, these things don’t exist, so this is a step forward. It’s progress and it’s real progress.”

No specific dollar value was mentioned for the Nanaimo aspect of the complex care services, however the program is part of a $164 million funding model from the provincial government for similar setups for up to 500 people across the province.

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