YT Government: First Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services hub officially opened

March 23, 2018

The Watson Lake hub for Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services officially opened today. The new hub will provide a variety of services to Watson Lake residents, as well as specialist services to the neighbouring communities of Teslin, Carcross and Tagish.

With the opening of the new hub, community members have one-door access to a wide range of services. These include mental wellness support for individuals who have experienced trauma, individual counselling, outreach services, community support and pre and post-care related to substance use.

Our government is committed to helping Yukoners thrive in all areas of their lives and a key aspect of that is mental wellness. In order to achieve this goal, we are focused on providing the right supports at the right time in each community. I am pleased to say that opening this hub in Watson Lake will allow Yukoners better access to comprehensive, coordinated services in their home communities.

Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost

Quick Facts

• Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services has integrated the formerly separate programs of Alcohol and Drug Services, Child and Adolescent Therapeutic Services and Mental Health Services. This change was made to improve access to mental wellness and substance use services for Yukoners.
• There will be four community hubs across Yukon in Watson Lake, Carmacks, Dawson City and Haines Junction.
• The Watson Lake hub will have five resident staff: two Mental Wellness and Substance Use Counsellors, one Clinical Counsellor, one Mental Health Nurse and one Child and Youth Counsellor. The Child and Youth Counsellor in Watson Lake will be able to work directly within the community’s schools.
• Carcross, Tagish and Teslin will have an additional two resident staff: one Mental Wellness and Substance Use Counsellor and one Child and Youth Counsellor. They will receive visiting specialist services from the Watson Lake hub.

Contact

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Clarissa Wall
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3010
clarissa.wall@gov.yk.ca

NT5