Skip to content

Mental health and addictions care integration on track

'People have said there were too many providers and that it was difficult to find the services they needed'
mental-health

Frontline staff and administration currently working at CMHA Nipissing Branch will be integrated into the Nipissing Mental Health Housing & Support Services (NMHHSS) next month.

NMHHSS Executive Director Mary Davis says the plan is on track and she has met with most of the CMHA staff one-on-one to talk about the integration.  

In July the Canadian Mental Health Association Nipissing Regional Branch was stripped of its Branch Charter by email by the CMHA Ontario Division Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors for Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division has made the difficult decision to revoke the charter of CMHA Nipissing Regional Branch, formally terminating our agreement effective six months following written notice to the branch," stated Tom Walters, Chair, Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, in a release.

See: Charter revoked from CMHA Nipissing Regional Branch

And: Nipissing CMHA branch responds to having charter revoked

"While this integration will officially happen on January 5, 2020, much work is underway to welcome the staff and ensure quality client care, confidentiality and services are maintained," according to a news release today.

“This is all about people – clients and staff. We are creating a more easy to navigate system of mental health and addiction care and we want to retain the professionals in our community, who are currently delivering this care,” said Davis. “By working together, we will learn from one another and be able to translate these learnings into the highest of quality services for people living in North Bay and area.”

Davis has also been meeting with staff at People for Equal Partnership in Mental Health and the North Bay Recovery Home who are also integrating with NMHHSS on April 1, 2020.   

"A few client engagements have been held and more are underway to ensure that there is no disruption to services and that clients feel supported and their voices heard, throughout the process," adds the release.

"The bringing together of mental health and addiction services has been talked about for many years in North Bay.  People have said there were too many providers and that it was difficult to find the services they needed.  These integrations are a positive step in the right direction for more client-focussed care."


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
Read more

Reader Feedback