Wait times for mental health referrals longest in central N.B.

If you're suffering from a mental illness and need help, Fredericton and the St. John River Valley appear to be worst places to live in New Brunswick.

The New Brunswick Health Council released a report on Tuesday, comparing services across the province.

In zone three, which takes in Fredericton and the St. John River Valley, the results for mental health referrals were the slowest in the province.

According to the report, access within 48 hours to initial screening for mental health services is at only eight per cent. 

That … is unfortunate and unacceptable for the people who require more speedy support.- Christa Baldwin, Canadian Mental Health Association, NB

Compare that to zone six, Bathurst and the Acadian Peninsula, where mental health referrals within 48 hours are at 70 per cent.

The numbers are from a health department survey from 2013 to 2014.

NB Health Council chief executive officer Stéphane Robichaud said this points to the need for standardized health care services in the province.

Speaking to Information Morning Fredericton, Robichaud said the numbers tell a story.

"What the number has told us is that there's a great discrepancy in the number of people that we're able to screen in that period of time, which means that if it takes longer, that can be an issue for citizens."

Family doctors, for those who have one, are often the first point of contact for someone who is mentally ill.

People can also self-refer to their local mental health clinic, which is part of a system of community health centres across the province.

The health council says the standard of care is to be seen by a professional within 48 hours of that referral. 

Horizon Network studying the figures

CBC News contacted the Horizon Health Network to find out why that target is met only eight per cent of the time in this region, and only 23 per cent of the time in the Saint John / Fundy area. 

I know the mental health clinic has a huge waiting list.- Anne Marie Hartford, Family Enrichment and Counselling, Fredericton

Brent Roy, Director of Public Affairs, said in a statement, "Horizon is currently taking the time to thoroughly review the report and can comment on it once we have a better understanding of the data and the findings."

Christa Baldwin is the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in New Brunswick. She said she was "surprised and concerned with that data." 

"That report data is unfortunate and unacceptable for the people who require more speedy support," she stated in an email to CBC News.

"As the stigma reduces around mental illness, more people will reach out for treatment, so important work needs to happen at this time when you consider that data. I know that work is happening to address such issues by Mental Health and Addictions."

Addictions and Mental Health services are under the aegis of the hospital networks. The website on the Horizon Network page states, "Initial appointments are offered within three business days."

Robichaud says he believes that information is relatively new, in response to the numbers in the health council's report.

"My gut feeling is that it's a reflection of a recent push."

Still, referral times across the province tell only part of the story.

Wait times 'huge'

Anne Marie Hartford runs Family Enrichment and Counselling in Fredericton, a non-profit service that's been around since 1974.

She says even once you do get a referral, there is a long wait time for treatment if you're not deemed suicidal.

"I know the mental health clinic has a huge waiting list. I would say six to nine months."

Hardtford would like to see some of the services offered at Family Enrichment covered by the government. She says her organization has social workers and psychologists, just like at the mental health clinic.

"It's frustrating because they're going to get the same care here or there, and yet we struggle to raise money to support that service."

However, she also says she tries not to turn anyone away, even if they can't afford to pay.

"We can't see you for nothing [but] we will if you're in a crisis, because that's why we fundraise and we get some support from the United Way, so we can provide services."

Baldwin says the CMHA offers programs which may help some people while they are waiting for treatment.

"One example is "Living Life to the Full," which is an eight week program that can help with coping skills and improve mental health. We also offer Changing Minds, which helps alleviate the stigma attached to mental illness and offers understanding of mental illness."