Prince County clinics offer walk-in mental health supports

Prince County clinics offer walk-in mental health supports
Three new walk-in clinics offer Prince County residents better access to mental health services.

Clinics in Summerside and in O’Leary will support residents of all ages, while a third at Westisle High School is designed to support West Prince teens age 16 and older. All three will help Islanders dealing with anxiety, depression, and other more complex and high-risk issues.

“These new clinics offer immediate mental health supports for Islanders, with no fees and no appointment requirements,” Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson said. “They provide an opportunity to talk with a professional when they’re in crisis, when help is needed right away.”

No appointment or referral is needed, and individuals can see a registered mental health therapist for 45 to 60 minutes. Mental health walk-in clinic hours and locations are:

• Summerside (at Prince County Hospital) – Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; for more information, call (902) 888-8180;

• West Prince (at the O’Leary Health Centre) Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; for more information, call (902) 853-8670; and

• West Prince mental health clinic for teens aged 16 years and older (at Westisle High School) Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where appropriate, the walk-in clinic therapist may also refer patients to more help offered by Community Mental Health or to specific programs such as the Strongest Families Program or Behavioural Support Team.

“We are pleased to learn of the opening of these walk-in clinics,” said Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division Executive Director Reid Burke. “Any move made to reduce wait times and improve access to mental health services is definitely a step in the right direction.”

“Our mental health walk-in clinics in Prince County are the first of their kind for our province,” said Dr. Heather Keizer, psychiatrist and chief of Mental Health and Addictions. “The positive feedback we have received from those accessing the clinics has reinforced our belief that this is an important service for Islanders.”

In addition to piloting mental health walk-in clinics in Prince County, Health PEI and mental health clinicians have expanded access to community psychiatry services for children, adults and seniors by 93 hours per week at the Richmond and McGill Centres in Charlottetown, with a plan to further increase access this summer.

Islanders interested in more information can visit, Mental Health Services (link is external) or contact their local community mental health office.

However, those in need of immediate mental health crisis intervention can visit their local emergency department or call The Island Helpline (link is external) toll-free at 1-800-218-2885.
Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
Senior Communications Officer
Health PEI
(902) 368-6135
[email protected]