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A mental health crisis centre in Gatineau, Que., is set to close indefinitely later this week.
In a social media post on the weekend, Centre d’aide 24/7 announced that it would stop accepting new clients on Monday and will shut down at 4 p.m. on Friday.
The non-profit blamed a lack of money, saying its funding agreement expired at the end of September.
“We can no longer keep the ship afloat with the money we have,” director Benoit Leblanc told Radio-Canada in French earlier this week.
The centre’s phone lines will be transferred to the province’s 811 health consultation line.
The centre said in its original post that people experiencing a health crisis, including those still staying at the centre, will be told to go to the Hull Hospital.
On Wednesday, western Quebec’s health authority CISSSO said in a French news release it will temporarily provide crisis and shelter services once people are referred through 811. It said it will also work to find a permanent solution.
Running since 1987
Centre d’aide 24/7 opened in 1987. It offers free shelter and mental health monitoring, mostly for shorter periods of time, plus referrals to other services.
Michèle Mathieu said she has turned to Centre d’aide for help, and said its services are needed in the region.
“I had attempted suicide. I was in a state of severe psychological distress, I needed help, I didn’t know where to turn,” she said in French. “It really provided me with resources that helped me.”
On Tuesday, before the update from CISSSO, Mathieu Trépanier, a union counsellor for workers at the centre, said the health authority asked Centre d’aide to find $100,000 in savings, but the centre couldn’t cut any more resources.
“We want to stress the importance of the impact on the population … because it’s the only dedicated crisis centre for suicide in the Outaouais,” he said.
Hull CAQ MNA Suzanne Tremblay told Radio-Canada she’s concerned about the situation and is in talks with Sonia Bélanger, Quebec’s social services minister.
Santé Québec, the province’s health and social services agency, said Tuesday it wouldn’t comment while discussions about the centre’s future are happening.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to look for help:
If you’re worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them about it, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. Here are some warning signs:
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Substance use.
- Purposelessness.
- Anxiety.
- Feeling trapped.
- Hopelessness and helplessness.
- Withdrawal.
- Anger.
- Recklessness.
- Mood changes.
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