Thursday, June 14, 2012
South West Local Integration Network
Enhanced Crisis Mental Health Response System for London Residents
The South West Local Integration Network (LHIN), in partnership with mental health & addiction providers, has been working at remodelling mental health & addiction services to ensure people struggling with a mental health challenge and/or addiction are served effectively.
The recently released report “The Time is Now: A Plan for Enhancing Community-based Mental Health and Addiction Services in the South West LHIN” recommended that all areas in the LHIN, including London-Middlesex, have 24/7 mobile crisis response teams that can handle and urgently respond to crisis/emergency calls from police, criminal justice and hospital emergency departments, as well as urgent calls from the community including family caregivers. A working group was created in response to the report’s recommendations and the working group has recommended changes which will strengthen the Crisis Response System in the City of London.
The Canadian Mental Health Association London-Middlesex Branch (CMHA L-M) has been charged with leading all changes to the crisis mental health response system. The initial changes to the Mobile Outreach Team will begin on June 30, 2012 with full enhancement by October 31, 2012, where CMHA will have 10 staff dedicated to providing 24/7 crisis response in the City of London.
“Increasing the capacity through a dedicated Mobile Outreach Team to respond to calls around the clock every day of the year whenever and wherever they occur will significantly benefit our community, particularly those experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Elizabeth Abbott, chair of the CMHA L-M Board.
“This new enhancement to the Mobile Outreach Team will provide improved and timely response to ensure the person in crisis is supported appropriately, use resources more effectively and will be available to all residents in London,” explained Jeff Low, Board Chair of the South West LHIN.
"A full-time Mobile Outreach Team will provide our community with a collaborative care centered model, focused on timely assistance for those individuals experiencing acute mental health crisis, and effectively reducing the need for repeated police intervention,” stated Chief of London Police Services Brad Duncan.
Services to vulnerable populations will continue to be offered through dedicated resources or through shared protocols between service providers. Over time, as resources become available, safe beds for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis will be created.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis please call 519-433-2023/866-933-2023, if the Mobile Outreach Team is needed you will be connected to the Team.
Media contact:
Michael Petrenko
Executive Director
Canadian Mental Health Association London-Middlesex Branch
Contact through:
Aleena Needham
Executive Coordinator
Canadian Mental Health Association London-Middlesex Branch
519-434-9191 ext 228
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