Cape Breton needs mental health mobile crisis team, advocate says

A womaninCape Breton Regional Municipality is petitioning the provincial government for a mental health mobile crisis team.

This would give those suffering a mental health crisis an option other than going to the emergency room, advocate Donna Sheppard said.

Sheppard is urging the province to create a mobile teammodelled after one in Halifax. The teamresponds to people'shome in the event of a mental crisis orassist by phone.

A person knows when they are entering a psychotic episode, Sheppard said, and having help come to them is easier than going to a hospital.

"When you become overwhelmed with thoughts, emotions, you know that you need help,"Sheppard said.

"I had a situation one time where I needed to get to the hospital.I needed someone to take me there. I was very fortunateI had someone to take me there and sat and waited with me."

Long waits don't help, advocate says

While there, she said she met with a clinician who helped her with the wait, speaking calmly and asking the right questions.

The doctor gave her a prescription and left her feeling like she needed something more, she said.

Her friend wasn't as fortunate. Sheppard saidshe accompanied a friend ina mental health crisis to the emergency room and saidit was difficult to wait for hours to get help.

"As we got to the hospital and the wait began," Sheppard said. "By the time eight hours came around, the person said they have to leave."

Health minister listening

Sheppard said she has spoken with Nova Scotia Health Minister Leo Glavine and has plans to meet with him again next month.

"He listened to us and we spoke for quite awhile with a phone conference and explained our situation," she said.

The petition currently has 1124 signatures.