Local 514 host Savanna Craig interviews Veronik Dupont-Chalaoui, Manager of the Front Line Mental Health Services at the West Island CLSC, about how the pandemic has drained mental health resources and the ability for Montrealers to access those resources in a timely manner.

Veronik discusses how her CLSC is not experiencing a waitlist, however, they are experiencing another issue, which is that they are experiencing a shortage in mental healthcare workers. Veronik said that many of the mental healthcare workers are dealing with similar experiences as their clients, which is difficulty with their mental health as a result of the pandemic, which they are struggling to support.

Free mental health services in Quebec:

Local Community Service Centres (CLSC) offer 12 free sessions with a private therapist.

AMI-Quebec offers free support groups for those suffering from mental illness, family caregivers supporting a loved one with a mental illness, and those experiencing both.

La Maison St. Jacques offers free group psychotherapy for adults 18-50 and group support for mothers.

If you are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please visit a crisis centre.

Intervention and short term housing is available @ Association Iris in Montreal North, Centre L’Autre Maison in Montreal South-West and Équipe Mobile de Crise Résolution in Montreal East. 24/7 hotline for over the phone intervention is available at Suicide Action Montreal (1-866-277-3553), Tracom (514-483-3033) and Le Transit (514-282-7753).

Part of this interview was used for episode 3 of Local 514, focused on the increase in need for mental health services in Montreal. To watch the full episode, click here.