Ice storm crisis: Additional psychosocial support services deployed

Shippagan, February 1, 2017 – Every day since the onset of the ice storm crisis, Vitalité Health Network has been mobilizing more and more resources to support the public, volunteers, first responders, and its staff through this crisis that is striking the Acadian Peninsula particularly hard.

Since last Saturday, professionals from Community Mental Health Services in Caraquet, Tracadie, and Shippagan/The Islands have been on duty in the warming centres and accommodation centres every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Professionals are available to take calls – at 726-2030 (Caraquet), 336-3367 (Shippagan), or 394-3760 (Tracadie) – every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including weekends. In addition, the offices are open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Informal sessions will take place in the Acadian Peninsula on Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3 giving community members the opportunity to speak with psychological health professionals.

General public
People can start consulting on Thursday, February 2 at the following locations and times:

• Caraquet:   Municipal Library, conference room
  10 du Colisée Street, Caraquet (entrance to City Hall)
  Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Tracadie: Marché Centre-Ville
  3416 Principale Street, Tracadie-Sheila
  Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Lamèque: Municipal Library, conference room
  46 du Pêcheur Nord Street, Lamèque
  Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Miscou:  Fire Station
  Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Volunteers in the warming and accommodation centres
Support and counselling services are available to the volunteers working in the warming and accommodation centres.