VICTORIA — The British Columbia government says inmates struggling with mental health and substance use will be supported after they leave jail by transition teams connected to all 10 of the province's correctional centres.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson says that's an increase from inmates at five facilities getting help with services like housing, health care, transportation and treatment when they are released.
The length of time those services are offered will triple to 90 days, and Malcolmson says communities would benefit from less crime by former inmates who are supported after leaving a correctional facility. Malcolmson says more staff are being hired for transition teams, which include social workers, nurses, peer support workers and so-called patient navigators who are Indigenous.
She says incarcerated people who have substance use challenges have often lost their homes, jobs and connections with family, and are 12 times more likely to die of overdose following release. The services are being bolstered based on recommendations in a recent report by a former Vancouver deputy police chief and an expert on mental health and the criminal justice system.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
B.C. bolsters mental health and substance use services for inmates leaving jailProvincial government says inmates struggling with mental health and substance use will be supported after they leave jail by transition teams connected to B.C.’s correctional centres
Read more »
B.C. boosts substance use and mental health supports for inmates leaving jailThe British Columbia government says inmates struggling with mental health and substance use will be supported after they leave jail by transition teams connected to all 10 of the province's correctional centres. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson says that's an increase from inmates at five facilities getting help with services like housing, health care, transportation and treatment when they are released.
Read more »
Road to Recovery: Supporting mental health in the workplaceIn this week’s segment of Road to Recovery Hannah Lepine chats with Jonny Morris, the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC.
Read more »
Mental health supports expanded for those being released from jailThe program is being expanded to all 10 provincial facilities, including the Vancouver Island Correctional Centre in Saanich.
Read more »
Refilling some prescriptions at pharmacy doesn't solve B.C.'s health care problems: pharmacistThe changes are part of a five\u002Dyear plan to deal with B.C.\u0027s overburdened health care system, which is suffering from a shortage of doctors, nurses and paramedics.
Read more »