Follow-up to the Hippocrates Awards
Since receiving a special mention at the last Hippocrates Awards Gala, the Enhanced Justice and Mental Health Support Program (PAJ-SM) has continued to enjoy success: awards and recognition from a rehabilitation organization, a headline in the regional newspaper[1], and media coverage planned by a major broadcaster during a day at the courthouse.
This visibility over the past few months has most likely generated greater enthusiasm for the program, as evidenced by the increase in the number of service requests:
- 134 requests received since April 2023, compared to an annual average of 84 requests;
- 34 ongoing assessments compared to 13 at the same time in 2023;
- 63 active cases, compared to 57 in 2023.
This sharp increase in requests has certainly created challenges related to the growing backlog of cases and the lengthening assessment time, which has risen from 2 to 8 weeks. However, following discussions with the Ministries of Justice and Health and Social Services, and given the enthusiasm for the enhanced PAJ-SM and its effectiveness, it was decided to add an additional professional resource to the team during the winter of 2024.
Impacts observed over the past few months
The enhanced PAJ-SM in the Outaouais region assists clients struggling with mental health (MH) issues, as well as those with a substance use disorder (SUD) or an intellectual disability (ID). In this regard, the project has successfully reached a broader vulnerable clientele to offer them support on their journey:
- Of the 63 active cases currently being monitored, 32 are related to TUS, 27 to SM, and 4 to DI.
- 34 users graduated this year, compared to 14 last year.
The project’s reach beyond the Outaouais
First, two of the tools developed by the enhanced PAJ-SM will be integrated into the new provincial PAJ-SM framework, and we are proud of this.
Furthermore, although the PAJ-SM is implemented in several regions across Quebec, the enhanced component in the Outaouais has generated significant interest since winning the Hippocrate Award. More than six organizations within the healthcare network have reached out to us to learn more about our version of the program and explore the possibility of implementing it in their regions. The feasibility of such a transfer to other regions is very realistic and would certainly allow us to be more inclusive and reach more people from vulnerable populations.
JEAN-PAUL MARSAN AWARD FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND INTEGRATION OF SERVICES – 2023
The team led by Mr. Terence Blais, Mental Health and Addiction Program, CIUSSS de L’Outaouais
Project: Justice and Mental Health Support Program (PAJ-SM+)
[1] https://www.ledroit.com/actualites/justice-et-faits-divers/2024/01/27/des-histoires-positives-au-palais-de-justice-de-gatineau-IINHGZJ34BGOLEOICUSWXWARKE/
Lire l’article paru dans le journal régional Le Droit
