by Gloria Welton
Building a community-first system of care is the aim of the PEI government’s Mental Health & Addictions strategy. The goal is for Islanders to receive the care they need, when they need it, in the most appropriate setting as close to home as possible.
Thane MacEwen is the Director of Mental Health & Addictions Transitions with Health PEI.
“We all have our own story, and our aim is to provide the best care that elevates the dignity of our clients and facilitates greater levels of hope, purpose, and belonging. It is crucial that our clients are listened to, assessed thoroughly, and directed to the appropriate service(s).
“We really must meet clients where they are today, and remove any stigma related to mental health and substance use. People can take medication and participate in programs to support their physical health, but if they take medication or attend programs for their mental health or substance use, there can be a stigma related to this, and that needs to change.”
Thane also says having the right compliment of staff is key to accomplishing their goals.
About the staff
About 600 staff members work within Mental Health & Addictions across PEI. Thane’s team of about 155 includes, but is not limited to, the following careers:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Nursing (Nurse Practitioners, Mental Health Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses)
- Allied Health (Social Workers who are Mental Health Therapists, Social Service Workers, Behavioural Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants)
- Patient/Resident Support Services (Resident Care Workers, Cooks, Service Workers)
- Administrative Support (Clerks)
- Management
- Addictions Workers
- Addictions Counsellors
“Career opportunities are vast for anyone interested in the delivery of mental health and substance use care on PEI,” says Thane. “We need many people to fill positions.”
For more information about current and upcoming career opportunities, click here
Volunteer opportunities
“Our volunteer opportunities in mental health and addictions are a terrific way to explore various areas of work.
“The Volunteer Coordinator coordinates volunteers throughout the division.” For more about volunteer opportunities, click here
The following programs fall under Mental Health & Addictions Transitions
The Transition Unit, located at the Provincial Addiction Treatment Facility, is a 21-day program that helps Islanders in the early stages of substance use recovery to continue their recovery in the community in a safe and supported way. The program consists of both a residential (live-in) program for up to 12 people and an outpatient (daytime) program for up to four people.
Participants focus on their life and recovery goals and are connected to community-based services that can support them upon discharge.
The Strength Program offers up to 16 weeks (residential and day treatment) of programming for youth 15 to 21 years of age who require more intensive support for substance use and mental health issues. This program includes one-to-one, group counselling, family and parental support, life skills development, educational curriculum, and recreational activities.
Addictions Extended Care Support Programs
PEI has three extended care residences. Each facility is listed as gender-specific (gender-identifying) but acknowledges and respects diverse gender identities and experiences.
- Talbot House: male-identifying clients
- St. Eleanor’s House: male-identifying clients
- Women’s Addictions Extended Care: female-identifying clients
These residences provide a supervised, therapeutic, safe, and home-like environment to assist individuals in maintaining a substance-free lifestyle. This supports and equips clients with the life skills needed to achieve sustainable recovery and overall well-being in the community. The length of stay is up to 90 days.
Community outreach support is also available for clients not residing at the facility who may benefit from the day program, the after-care program, and the supportive environment. For more information, click here
Women’s Addictions Extended Care Residence (formally known as Lacey House) opened in June 2022.
Structured Programming
Structured Programming offers two separate programs that operate out of the same facility in Charlottetown (Residential and Day Treatment Programs). These programs are designed for adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health/or substance use issues not requiring psychiatric support or medication management. Balanced focus on life skill management and psychoeducational programming.
Brackley Stables Transition Home
This residence supports individuals with complex presentation in their mental health recovery. Staff collaborate with clients to improve their quality of life while assisting in the development of emotional regulation, interpersonal, life and job skills. The intent is to transition the clients from an acute psychiatric setting back into the community.
Brackley Small Options Home
This residence supports individuals with complex presentation in their mental health recovery. Staff collaborate with clients to improve their quality of life while assisting in the development of emotional regulation, interpersonal, life and job skills. Clients typically require a high level of monitoring and supervision.
Mental Health & Addictions Wellness & Transition Centre
This new facility will be an opportunity to better support clients who transition from in-patient, hospital-based mental health and substance use care and still need intensive, longer-term care or supported living care as part of their journey. Construction on this facility is expected to be completed in 2027 or 2028.
The Addictions Intensive Day Program (IDP) is a three-week program which supports participants in obtaining, understanding, and processing pertinent information about their substance use. Participants learn about skills and tools of the recovery process and develop a personal recovery plan and a relapse prevention plan.
Research and awareness needed
“Our mental health and substance use model, programs, and services are entrenched in evidence-based research,” says Thane. “In addition, we are adapting our programming and services to include input from those individuals with lived experience who have personally struggled with mental illness and/or substance use.
“Stigma and lack of public awareness are our challenges. If someone says they are struggling with their mental health or substance abuse, what are the options? What can I do to help my friend, family, or myself? Listening to them is most important, while encouraging them to reach out for support when they are ready.
“Every Islander may not know what to do when dealing with mental health or substance use issues. We continue to educate and communicate information to Islanders about Mental Health & Substance Use services and programs.”
Thane says it is not unusual for the clients they serve to need to come back for treatment repeatedly. “The client sometimes feels so much shame that they are back again for treatment. I always say to staff that it’s a journey, so we always need to support as best we can.
“Even if we see people come back time and time again, we treat each individual with respect and dignity, and seek out services, programs, and treatment that offer hope.”
Thane MacEwen’s career journey
Helping people was Thane’s motivation to enter this career path and advance within it.
“When I was young, I volunteered using pet therapy at Hillsborough Hospital. I took an animal from the Humane Society to the hospital, walked around the units, and everybody loved to see the animals (dogs, cats, rabbits). Pet therapy is still happening today within our area of work and is a wonderful way to help people.
“Volunteering got my foot in the door and led to the opportunity for conversations that encouraged me to become more aware of mental health and addictions.
“I started at Hillsborough Hospital and QEH as a Psychiatric Attendant and worked in that area for five years. I went on to Wilfrid Laurier University and obtained my Master of Social Work in 2001. Then I worked in Ontario at Stonehenge Therapeutic Community in Guelph.
“You learn about yourself when you work in a therapeutic community setting. I learned about the importance of talking to each other and learning from each other. As a group facilitator, I learned so much from watching people debate, process, discuss, and problem solve together.
“After leaving Ontario, I came back to PEI and started a clinical internship position with Clinical Services, Community & Correctional Services. In addition, I held other roles as a Clinical Services Manager, Mental Health Therapist, and Probation Officer during my time with Community & Correctional Services.
“When I left Community & Correctional Services, I used my experience in the forensic field to move into the Provincial Forensic Coordinator role within Mental Health and Addictions, Health PEI. The role primarily focused on the supervision and monitoring of individuals who had been found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder or unfit to stand trial by the Provincial Court. The additional experience led me to my role today.”
