Access 24/7 Mental Health and Addiction Services

Royal Alexandra Hospital • 2019

Addiction
Mental Health

To date, Access 24/7 has proudly handled:

259,592 calls received
197, 082 appointments
101,465 unique clients

The Challenge

Expanding Horizons to Accommodate Growing Demands

Every year, one out of five Canadians experiences issues with their mental health. Unfortunately, accessing mental health support is out of reach for many, often due to a lack of knowledge about available services, financial restraints, or a perception that the system is overly complex.

Further, the triage process used for physical injuries is not always applicable to mental health concerns, so the program needed to find a solution to meet the growing demand for care. Consequently, finding a resolution became imperative, as Access 24/7 sought a larger, more intuitive space to cater to the community's needs effectively.

The Solution

A New State of the Art Location, Designed with Community in Mind

With an increased demand for services, the program quickly outgrew the Royal Alexandra Hospital campus, moving to a brand-new, purpose-designed facility. The upgrades in the new location have been significant. Access 24/7 now has a Primary Care Network (PCN), Continuing Care, Indigenous Health, Hope and Wellness team, and improved access with more parking, bus and LRT access. The waiting room now has 18 seats, with client computers and an additional 20 seats for call centre staff. Clinicians have access to a drop-down space, and private exits have been added for client privacy. The new location can now accommodate 300 employees per day and 400 client visits per day.

The Impact

Family Peer Support Workers Empowering Families

The move to a new site allowed Access 24/7 to introduce a new level of support to their addiction and mental health services. The presence of a Family Peer Support Worker provides much-needed context and guidance for those who may be struggling to navigate the complexities of the treatment process. They help family members understand what to expect, provide coping strategies, and offer emotional support during a challenging time. The family peer support worker is instrumental in providing the necessary resources for families to manage their well-being while also supporting their loved ones in need. Donors' support has allowed the program to grow and expand, providing vital mental health and addiction services to the people of Edmonton. Thanks to the team of Family Peer Support Workers at Access 24/7, new beginnings are possible.

Thanks To You

Access 24/7 exists because of the support of our donors and amazing community partners. A special thank you to Alberta Blue Cross, John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation, the RBC Foundation, the Rohit Group of Companies, The Stollery Charitable Foundation, the Edmonton Public Teachers’ Charity Trust Fund, the Edmonton TELUS Community Board, Canada Life, The Butler Family Foundation, Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc., everyone who donated to the #onedooryeg campaign, and of course our partners at the Mental Health Foundation.

Click here for the full list of our donors.

Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation