Mental Health Connections expands service to Leamington
Program for adults with mental illness answers need in community: official
DAVE WADDELL
The official opening of Leamington’s new Mental Health Connections program Tuesday highlights the push locally to boost rural community health care.
The program, which has been running for 10 months, offers psychological and social rehabilitation services and supports for adults with mental illness.
“We heard from individuals a demand for these services,” said Dawn Maziak, mental health lead for the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network. “We’re addressing that need. MHC’s credibility has grown to where it’s valued by psychiatrists who recommend MHC as part of their rehabilitation plans for patients.”
Mental Health Connections has had a Windsor office at 370 Erie St. since 2004 and serves more than 1,000 clients, ranging in age from 16 to 84.
The Erie St. Clair LHIN provided $14,000 in funding to operate the program in Leamington. The service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Leamington’s new Windsor Essex Community Health Centre at 33 Princess Ave.
“With the Patients’ First legislation we needed to broaden our base geographically and in equality of access to services,” Maziak said. “Two years ago the LHIN did an addiction engagement plan and we heard we’re not doing a good enough job in rural communities.
“This recognizes the importance of health services in rural communities. We hope this is just the beginning of getting into more communities in Essex County.”
Having taken 10 months to get the program up and running, MHC executive director Jean Laforge said the emphasis will now be on making people aware of what it offers.
Currently less than 20 people use the program.
“We’re hoping being here, on a bus route in central Leamington, will improve the accessibility for people,” Laforge said. “Transportation is one of the key issues keeping people in the county from using our Windsor service.
“Also moving from the (Leamington) hospital to this new space in February will help.”
The giant windows overlooking Leamington’s downtown core flood the fourth-floor multipurpose room with natural light. Laforge said just the environment alone is more uplifting.
“We’re offering people who are recovering from mental illness a reprieve from social isolation,” Laforge said. “Isolation can drive them further into depression and make it more costly on the health care system. This is a comfortable place for people with similar mental health issues.
“It comes at no cost to them and they can choose what they’d like to participate in.”
In addition to simple social opportunities, MHC offers life-skills classes such as cooking, budgeting, nutrition and home repair. There are also personal growth seminars in self-esteem, conflict resolution, anger management, boundaries and communication.
The physical side of rehabilitation offers a variety of exercise programs, art and music.
MHC also offers support for families through group meetings and a 12-week family-to-family education program developed to help families who have a member with mental illness.
Linda Nagle first came into contact with MHC in 2004 when she was seeking support and advice on how to deal with a family member’s struggles with mental illness. She was so impressed that she became part of the organization and is now chair of MHC’s board of directors.
“MHC has been a lifeline for us,” Nagle said. “They helped us with what to do and where to go for support. The organization has been a hugely positive influence on our family.”
We hope this is just the beginning of getting into more communities in Essex County.