Cindy MacDougall
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 24/99) - A psychiatrist who works part time in the North says support for people with mental health problems has improved here.

Dr. William McCay of Edmonton treats patients two days a week in Yellowknife, at Stanton Regional Hospital's psychiatric unit and at the mental health clinic.

He was the key speaker at the annual general meeting of the Canadian Mental Health Association, NWT Division, held Wednesday.

He said the types of problems he treats in the North are more complicated.

"Although the overall types of problems in the North -- mostly major depressive disorders -- are no different than down south, I see more patients here whose problems are compounded with alcohol and drug abuse issues."

He said more of his Northern clients suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects, which occur when a woman drinks during pregnancy.

And many are still struggling with childhood sexual abuse.

These problems are further complicated for those who live in isolated communities, he said, where mental health services have traditionally been unavailable.

"But that has been changing over the past few years," he said.

"There are more consistently available alcohol and drug counselling in communities. I'm pleased to see that developing."

The mental health association's manager, Michael Mann, says government cutbacks haven't affected its services, including the toll-free help lines.

"What we've done is cut back on positions such as mine and on office space. I was full time, and now I'm part time," he said.

"We've also cut our office space twice."

He said the association would like the GNWT to give multi-year funding, instead of just funding things year to year.

"Now, by the time we figure out funding (for services), it's a few years into the new year by the time we can hire workers," he said.

He said the association's toll-free mental health and AIDS information lines, staffed by volunteers, now reaches 32 isolated communities. He also said new programs are on the way.

"Our new pet therapy program in partnership with St. John Ambulance will soon be starting too, and we're very proud of it."

The HELP and AIDS information line number is 920-2121 in Yellowknife and 1-800-661-0844 in the rest of the NWT.