By Erica Colovic, Communications Coordinator, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

Individuals who need urgent mental health and addictions care now have a new option. As of April, they can be referred, phone or walk into the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA WECB) for a brief short-term intervention by a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Psychiatrists from both Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) and Windsor Regional Hospital roster with the service, while the team also includes nurse practitioner, addiction worker and social workers.

A joint initiative between the partner organizations began as a three-month pilot project in response to urgently supporting those struggling with mental health and addictions issues as well as to lessen burdens within local emergency departments at the onset of COVID-19.  It has now been extended until October with the hope of offering services permanently.

The Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Care Center (MHAUCC) services those age 16 and older who cannot safely wait for community supports and are at high risk of an emergency department visit or hospitalization. THE MHAUCC is co-located with the CMHA Health Centre and if needed, individuals are also able to seek primary care. In July, this innovative program was the recipient of a $81,200 grant from the Foundation of Advancing Family Medicine and Canadian Medical Association Foundation that will support the work done through the CMHA Health Centre with funding for a Registered Nurse as well as continued evaluation of the program.

"Pandemics never affect all populations equally. As two organizations leading in mental health care service delivery in Windsor-Essex, our shared vision to a more seamless care experience for our citizens living with mental health and addictions led to the timely and efficient launch of the MHAUCC," said CMHA WECB CEO Claudia den Boer who also acts as HDGH's Executive Lead for Community Mental Health. "We are all in a unique situation that has required unique solutions – the MHAUCC is one of those longstanding solutions."

As of August 31, the MHAUCC has had 96 days of service provision The multidisciplinary team has seen 343 visits, in which over 130 individuals reported they would have gone to the Emergency Department had the service not been available. Appointments lasted an average of one hour and a half.  

More information on the MHAUCC is available at www.hdgh.org/mhaucc.