Mental health and wellness resources for the holidays

FORT McMURRAY – The holiday season can be a time of peak stress for people, particularly for those still recovering from this year’s wildfire.

As part of its post-wildfire Community Wellness and Recovery Plan, Alberta Health Services (AHS) wants to ensure people know that mental health and wellness supports are available.

Holidays can be hard. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Available resources include:

Mental health and addiction walk-in counselling services, 10217 Queen St.: Counselling services are offered for anyone looking for support. No appointment is required. Weekdays from
9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Call 780-743-7187 for more information.

Health Link: You can reach Health Link 24/7 by calling 811. This free service provides health information and advice from registered nurses.

Mental Health Help Line: This service provides crisis intervention, information about mental health programs and services, and referrals to other agencies if needed. The service is available 24/7 by calling 877-303-2642.

SOS Crisis Line: This line provides phone support 24/7 for people in crisis. Call 780-743-HELP (4357).

Mental health services at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, 7 Hospital St.: Assessment, consultation and treatment for mental illness are offered for both adults and children. Service providers include mental health therapists and psychiatrists. Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Call 780-791-6194 for more information or to book an appointment.

Assertive outreach services, 10217 Queen St.: This program is for people with severe and ongoing mental illness, or people with complex needs (including an addiction) requiring intensive community-based mental health supports. Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Call 780-743-7187 for more information.

Addiction services, 10217 Queen St.: Addiction counsellors provide prevention services for individuals, groups, schools, communities and workplaces. Community counselling services are available to individuals, family members and others (adults or youth) seeking help in overcoming problems associated with alcohol, other drugs or gambling. Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Call 780-743-7187 for more information or to book an appointment.

Fort McMurray Recovery Centre, 451 Sakitawaw Tr.: The facility has 16 residential treatment beds. It offers a 28-day residential program and a two-week day program for individuals living with alcohol, drug or gambling addictions. Call 780-793-8300 for more information.

Pastew Place Detox Centre, 505 Sakitawaw Tr.: A 24/7 service that helps people detoxifying from alcohol and other drugs in a safe, controlled setting. Admission is voluntary, confidential and must be initiated by the client. Services include withdrawal support, assessment, information sessions, introduction to self-help groups, addiction treatment planning and discharge planning. Call 780-791-2525 for more information.

Note: Take Home Naloxone (THN) is a safe and effective harm-reduction strategy that aims to reduce morbidity and mortality related to overdoses of opioids, including fentanyl. THN can be found at the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre and is also available at some pharmacies and walk-in clinics in Fort McMurray. See StopODs.ca for more information.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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