One of the biggest challenges for people seeking mental health, substance use, and/or addictions services is knowing where to turn for help.
To answer that challenge, Partners for Regional Coordinated Access for Mental Health and Addictions (RCA), which includes people with lived and living expertise, healthcare organizations, and community service providers, have created AccessMHA, a new single point of entry into eastern Ontario’s system of care for mental health, substance use and addictions.
How it works
Anyone who is 16 years of age or older can fill out a form at AccessMHA.ca and book a time for a confidential conversation with a mental health and addictions professional. That professional will work with the client to assess their needs and goals, then connect them to the service that is the best fit for them from a network of partner organizations across the community. Services might include individual and group counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatric consultation, substance treatment programs, or peer support.
AccessMHA seeks to provide simple, equitable access to all people and their supporters who need mental health and/or substance use/addiction services across the region. It matches individuals with the right services based on their needs.
People can get the help they need, when they need it
Mireille Delorme, director of Mental Health Services of Renfrew County – a program administered by the Pembroke Regional Hospital – says, “With so many organizations offering various mental health and addiction services, it can be very confusing for those in need to know where to turn or who to call. AccessMHA will help take away the guesswork for those seeking care for themselves, or others. Mental Health Services of Renfrew County is excited to become a part of AccessMHA as we work together with other providers to promote all mental health and addiction services and help those in need find the right fit for them in a timely and compassionate manner.”
Although the primary mission of AccessMHA is to draw a clear path for individuals who are reaching out for help, AccessMHA can also help to shorten wait times and wait lists for mental health, substance use and addictions services in general. Rather than waiting on multiple lists in the search for a service that fits their needs, individuals can work with AccessMHA to find the right service.
AccessMHA is intended for anyone over 16 who lives in: Ottawa; Pembroke; Cornwall; Hawkesbury, and surrounding areas including Lanark, Leeds and Grenville; Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry; Prescott-Russell; and Renfrew. Family doctors or other health care providers can also submit a referral on a client’s behalf.
For more information, click HERE to visit AccessMHA.ca
Monaghan,K.(2021,Feb.24) Eastern Ontario organizations partner to simplify access to mental health, substance use and addictions services [media release]
