(CHAT News photo courtesy Dr. Kent Comeau)

By Brendan Miller

More local demand for psychiatric help than clinics can handle

Jun 2, 2023 | 4:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Accessing mental health care in Medicine Hat can be difficult and the options to find local psychiatric care has been declining.

Every day, patients access treatment from the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for mental health issues. Some are able to see an in-house psychiatrist while others are referred to local practices.

However, clinics say they can’t keep up with the current demand.

CHAT News called the eight psychiatric practices that can be found in Medicine Hat while searching online for mental health support.

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The practices we spoke with told us they are simply not able to accept new referrals at this time due to the high volume of clients they already have.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta’s website states there are 11 active psychiatrists in Medicine Hat.

However some of those listed are no longer open, including a practice along Seventh Avenue SW that closed its doors in April. Two other practices we tried to contact don’t have an operating phone number.

Alberta Health Services provide CHAT News this statement:

“A single point of access for individuals of all ages with addiction and/or mental health concerns is available through Access Addiction & Mental {sic} at 1-888-594-0211, available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Callers requiring access to an AMH service will be screened, triaged, and provided with a first appointment booking or will be provided with information on appropriate community resources.”

AHS officials say AMH is the primary service to seek help with mental health issues.

However one doctor has identified the lack of options in our city and decided to move his practice from Victoria to Medicine Hat.

Dr. Kent Comeau opened his new clinic Reconnect Mental Health by offering virtual consults in May and plans to start seeing new patients in person this month.

Comeau says he has a special interest working with patients who have chronic and persistent mental illnesses and anxiety disorders.

“It reduces the wait times to have to then see a specialist again and we know with mental health we really want to treat things, get things moving because things do take time and so if we’re not getting on top of things it can really impact people’s lives, their relationships, financially,” said Comeau.

Under a shared care model, Comeau plans to work with local primary care providers to set up treatment plans and address patients within a timely-matter.

“And then I’ll create the treatment plan with recommendations and then that will then be sent to the primary care physician or nurse practitioner and then I will be available to that provider,” explains Comeau.

His practice will offer group therapy sessions as well as for patients resistant to prescription drug treatments.

You can also access 24/7 support by calling the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or the addiction line at 1-866-332-2322. Trained staff are available to help.