I was thrilled to announce that the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) received an additional $3.5 million in funding for mental health and addictions services across our region. 

This new funding will assist in supporting residents facing mental health and addictions challenges. The funding is going towards :

• Further advancing crisis response services across the LHIN

• Supporting transitional case management through Western Ontario Therapeutic Community Hostel (WOTCH) Community Mental Health Services, Mission Services London and Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)

• Enhancing addictions treatment through Choices for Change, Addictions Services Thames Valley and HopeGreyBruce Mental Health & Addictions Services for community opioid addiction programs

This announcement is part of an overall increase in support by our government of $14.3 million.

I was also excited to hear the great success of the mobile crisis launch team!
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) London-Middlesex Branch launched an enhanced mobile crisis response team in late October, 2012. A team of 10 is now able to respond to clients in crisis any time of day, 365 days a year.
In addition to these increased investments in mental health and addictions services, the enhanced mobile crisis response team will enable local residents to have their crisis situation responded to more quickly and in a more appropriate care setting. It will also help reduce avoidable and costly emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

Increased support for home care and community services helps provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

Quotes:

"Today, addiction and mental illness affects one in five Ontarians. Almost every family has been touched by this in some way. That’s why our government is committed to making investments in community mental health and addiction services, to ensure that those who need it will have access to high quality care close to home, when they need it." – Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

"The Mobile Crisis Response Team will help to ensure that local residents have access to mental health care services the moment they need it." – Chris Bentley, MPP London West

"The South West LHIN Board of Directors recognizes the significant impact these mental health and addictions agencies have on the local health system. By providing them with additional funds, we are ensuring residents with mental health and addictions challenges in the South West LHIN are receiving the right care at the right time in the right place." - Jeff Low, Board Chair, South West LHIN

"Opiate addiction is on the rise in Huron and Perth Counties. The funding Choices for Change received will allow us to partner with the Methadone clinic in our area to provide addiction counselling on site, a necessary component for someone engaged in Methadone Maintenance to be successful." – Catherine Hardman, Executive Director, Choices for Change

"HopeGreyBruce is delighted to receive this funding enhancement. It will enable us to expand the range of addiction services we provide for residents of Grey-Bruce and will foster closer partnerships between our organization and other human services." – Sandy Stockman, Executive Director, HopeGreyBruce Mental Health and Addictions Services