LHIN Info Minute - Health Care Update
Central Local Health Integration Network
April 15, 2014
For some, rediscovering hope stems from a single conversation with one person who understands because they’ve been there. Or by being connected to the right mental health and addictions support, at the right time, in the right place. And that’s why Central LHIN is investing an additional $765,000 annually into mental health and addictions crisis services in Central LHIN – to inspire hope, and connect more people with the support they need to improve their lives.
“This annual investment will help our health care system be more responsive to people with mental illness and addictions through the creation of programs that enhance community services, improve access and reduce repeat emergency department visits,” explains Kim Baker, Chief Executive Officer at the Central LHIN.
“Putting in place the right programs and supports to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents is a priority for the Central LHIN and aligns with Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy,” she continues.
This new funding, which was approved through Central LHIN’s community sector funding allocation for 2013/14, is being invested in the following:
•The expansion of York Support Services Network’s crisis line – 310-COPE – serving York Region/South Simcoe so that clients experiencing a mental crisis have improved access to service.
•The establishment of a Mobile Crisis Team through a partnership with North York General and Toronto Police Service (32 and 33 Divisions) so that crisis situations are co-responded to by police officers and mental health workers in North York as of March 31, 2014. The mental health worker provides mental health/crisis assessment and can make a decision onsite about whether the individual needs to undergo a psychiatric assessment at a hospital, or be directed to community mental health services while police secure the scene, ensuring everyone’s safety.
•The implementation of Peer Navigators in the emergency departments of North York General and Southlake hospitals through the Krasman Centre. Drawing from lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges, the Peer Navigator will assist individuals who present at the hospital emergency department. The goal of the Peer Navigator is to enhance recovery and improve the quality of the patient experience both in the emergency department and with system navigation post emergency department visit. The Peer Navigators are anticipated to be onsite by late spring 2014.
•The expansion of the Warm Line at Krasman Centre (1-888-777-0979) to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as of February 1, 2014 (previously operated 12 hours per day). The Warm Line provides non-crisis and crisis telephone support from a recovery and peer informed perspective. The Line is answered by people with lived experience and callers receive immediate, confidential and anonymous peer support.
•The establishment of the Krasman Centre as a central access point for WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Sessions www.WRAPhub.com. Within a group setting, individuals explore self-help tools and resources for keeping themselves well and for helping themselves feel better in difficult times. The funding will allow the Krasman Centre to increase the number of WRAP group sessions delivered throughout Central LHIN and create a central access point to learn about sessions being held across the LHIN.
These investments also align with recommendations put forward by a 28-person Task Group established by the Central LHIN in the fall of 2013. The group included representation from emergency management services, police services, health service providers and consumers who partnered to identify potential opportunities to improve access to mental health and addictions crisis services.
Additional Quote:
“The overall goal of the Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams is to provide high quality, prompt, and relevant assistance and support to people in crisis. It is also a means by which the Toronto Police Service can ensure it is providing inclusive and respectful policing services to all members of the communities we serve and in particular to persons in crisis or suffering from a mental health issue.” – Scott Gilbert, Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) Project Lead and also Superintendent and Unit Commander of 53 Division.
Learn More:
•York Support Services Network offers the 310-COPE Community Crisis Response Service for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis, and their family or friends. By calling 310-COPE (2673), or from a cell phone 905-953-5412, individuals are connected with a crisis worker, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The crisis worker will provide an immediate telephone response in a variety of situations, such as if you are feeling depressed, distressed, lonely, anxious, scared, angry or are worried that you have nowhere to go.
•Mobile Crisis Teams consist of both police officers and mental health workers (a nurse, social worker or other mental health professional) that co-respond to crisis situations. Other Mobile Crisis Teams operating in the Central LHIN region include: the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) through Humber River Hospital and a Mental Health Support Team through York Support Services Network.
•The Krasman Centre is a community mental health agency with offices in Richmond Hill and Alliston. They are a consumer/survivor initiative, which means that their support services are provided by peers with direct lived mental health and/or addictions experience. Visit www.krasmancentre.com for more information or call 905-780-0491 (Toll-free 1-888-780-0724).
Contacts:
Crystal Moss
Manager, Communications
Central LHIN
Tel. 905-948-1872 ext. 214
Crystal.Moss@lhins.on.ca
Andrea Szakolcai
Communication Specialist
Central LHIN
Tel. 905-948-1872 ext. 257
Andrea.Szakolcai@lhins.on.ca