Effectiveness of Addcition and Mental Health Services and System

Albertans should expect a seamless, accessible system that provides optimal care. Gaps still exist between what research has shown to be optimally effective treatments and what many people receive in actual practice. These problems may be exacerbated in children, who are unable to describe their symptoms, and in those individuals who have greater difficulty accessing the mental health system, either due to jurisdictional issues (e.g., the Aboriginal population) or logistical barriers (e.g., the homeless).

Various research activities (i.e., evaluations, outcome research, and surveillance) are needed to ensure the delivery of high quality addiction and mental health services in Alberta. Furthermore, the integration of health informatics systems is needed to allow population level research that informs mental health policy and system level reform.

• 1.9% of Canadians (aged 20 years or older) indicated they had ever seen a psychologist. Almost one third (30%) of these individuals were required to pay entirely out-of-pocket (i.e., no insurance coverage) for the service. The cost of psychological services may be a barrier to some individuals who are seeking help from service providers.
• Among the western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British-Columbia), Alberta has the lowest number of psychiatric nurses per 100,000 population. With nursing shortages across the country, it is likely that this situation will only get worse, potentially affecting the quality of addiction and mental health services. Significant attention is needed to explore reasons for the low numbers of psychiatric nurses in the province, as well as ways to attract and retain these specialized nurses.
• Among the ten provinces, Alberta has the second highest provincial government mental health expenditures per capita at $207 per person, following British Columbia, where the provincial government spends $230 per person. Research may help to uncover ways of reducing this amount without compromising quality of care.
• In Alberta, the median wait time to see a psychiatrist (after referral from a general practitioner) is eight weeks for elective visits and two weeks for urgent visits.
• 68% of Albertans reported being satisfied with the mental health services they most recently received, while 14% were dissatisfied.
• The Canadian Psychiatric Association recommends a ratio of 50 psychiatric beds per 100,000 population; In Alberta, there are 48 beds per 100,000.

 Source: Mental Health Economic Statistics: In your pocket (2007, revised)