Halifax’s Innovative Mental Health Program Cuts Wait Times,Sparks Calls for Expansion
Halifax,Nova Scotia,is pioneering a mental health initiative that’s drawing attention across Canada. The rapid access and stabilization program (RASP), a “neo-Scottish program” as it has been called, is designed to provide patients with rapid psychiatric diagnostics, significantly reducing the agonizing wait times often associated with mental health care. This program, currently exclusive to the Halifax region and its immediate surroundings, is showing promising results, prompting calls for its expansion throughout Nova Scotia.
Rapid Access: A Game Changer
Dr. Vincent Agyapong, head of the Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry, highlighted the program’s impact. He noted that the median wait time between a referral and an appointment with a psychiatrist has remained around four to six weeks for the past two years. This is a stark contrast to the months-long delays many patients typically face.
Did you know? Untreated mental health conditions can lead to significant personal and societal costs, including decreased productivity, increased healthcare expenses, and higher rates of suicide.
The speed of service is making a tangible difference. According to Dr. Agyapong, it helps hundreds of peopel from the Halifax region who, otherwise, would suffer in silence.
He emphasized the critical barrier that processing time represents for patients who often endure months of waiting before seeing a mental health professional. He presented these findings to a gathering of mental health experts from across Canada and provincial health officials.
Program Details and Patient Outcomes
Launched with provincial funding, the RASP program has served over 2,100 adult patients since April 2023. Four psychiatrists dedicate a portion of their week to the program, collectively amounting to two full-time positions.The focus is on patients with “light to moderate” mental health problems requiring a single consultation. dr. agyapong explained that in approximately 70% of cases, patients are referred back to their family doctor or nurse practitioner with a tailored care plan.
- Target patients: Individuals with mild to moderate mental health concerns.
- Treatment Approach: Emphasis on single consultations and comprehensive care plans.
- Referral System: Streamlined process for directing patients to appropriate levels of care.
for patients with more complex and persistent conditions, the program facilitates referrals to external specialists. Around 12% of patients are directed to psychotherapy through community mental health programs, while 7% recieve ongoing psychiatric care.
A Patient’s Perspective
Emily Kiley, a 40-year-old patient, shared her experience with the quick access service. Before learning about the program, she was informed that the wait time to see a psychiatrist could be as long as two years. Though, after her new family doctor referred her to the RASP program last December, she completed a preliminary questionnaire and attended an in-person clinic on January 31. She received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and ADHD.
It’s been three months since I started taking this medication. I feel so much better (…) thanks to this diagnosis, I feel that I can move forward in my life.
Emily Kiley, RASP Patient
psychiatrist’s Viewpoint
Dr. Jason Morrison, a participating psychiatrist, finds it refreshing to be part of a system where general psychiatric care can be provided without long waiting times.
He added, Often, you have to consult several people to obtain a consultation with the psychiatrist, which has never been logical for me.
Calls for Provincial Expansion
Dr. Satyanarayana ketaraju, a family doctor in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, expressed his satisfaction with the program, stating, I have the impression that this has filled a gap in the mental health system.
He emphasized that a conventional referral to New Scarlet Health could result in an endless expectation before a crisis occurred, and (at that time) it might very well be too late for the patient.
Dr.Ketaraju passionately advocated for the program’s expansion to encompass all of Nova Scotia.
Pro Tip: Early intervention in mental health can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Programs like RASP are crucial for providing timely access to care.
Dr.Agyapong estimates that an additional $1 million per year would enable his team to extend the program province-wide,rather than limiting it to the Central Zone (Halifax region). This funding would facilitate the addition of two full-time psychiatrists, other clinicians, and essential support staff. Currently, the program operates with approximately $800,000 in funding for its psychiatric staff.
Government Response and Past context
Health Nova scotia is evaluating the feasibility of expanding access to the program throughout the province, according to Bethany McCormick, vice president of mental health and new health outbuildings. However, she indicated that the government has no immediate plans to increase the project’s scope.
The expansion of the quick access program aligns with recommendations from the Lionel Desmond inquiry, published over a year ago. This inquiry investigated the tragic circumstances surrounding Mr. Desmond, an Afghanistan war veteran suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, who committed suicide on January 3, 2017, after fatally shooting his wife, daughter, and mother. The inquiry concluded that delays in intensifying Mr. Desmond’s care contributed to the tragedy and specifically recommended that the province expand Dr. Agyapong’s program.
