MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVES WITH APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT
Transitional Stability Centre - Crisis & Mental Wellness Centre connects people with the resources they need
Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work and challenging personal relationships, a professional man recognizes that his usual coping strategies aren’t enough. He has had bouts of depressions in the past and doesn’t want his mental health to spiral farther downward. Respected by colleagues for his problem-solving skills, the man decides to consult mental health professionals and determine his best options. An online search reveals Windsor’s new Transitional Stability Centre Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre (TSC) can connect him with the resources he needs.
As the man makes his way to the TSC at 736-744 Ouellette Ave., a woman parks her shopping cart filled with all that she owns near the facility’s entrance and walks inside. Wary and frightened, she turns to leave but pauses when a staff member approaches respectfully and welcomes her. The woman is invited to tell her story in confidence and express her needs. At her own pace, she reveals that she is homeless, hungry and fearful for her safety. Although the woman has tried to access public services before, she couldn’t get to the various appointments at different locations and became confused by the process.
The woman brightens visibly when the staff member offers to coordinate the steps necessary for obtaining food, housing, healthcare and other social supports. The staff member will continue to follow up with the woman to make certain she is receiving the benefits she wants to bring security to her life. Every person who turns to the TSC is connected to the community as a neighbour, relative, co-worker or friend. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, in any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem. By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, one in two currently have or have had a mental illness, such as mild to severe depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorder or problem gambling. CMHA has determined that most people will recover with appropriate treatment and support. To ensure local people receive timely, straightforward help, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch have collaborated in the establishment of the Transitional Stability Centre – Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre. Everyone works to simplify and streamline clients’ access to mental healthcare as well as other life-giving and lifechanging supports and programs. After opening in December 2016, “we started the TSC program with short-term intervention, assessment, life-skill development and psycho education and casework,” says Rob Moroz, the integrated director of community and outpatient services for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare/CMHA-WECB. The TSC assisted more than 500 people in 2017. “We anticipate an increase this year,” Moroz says. Clients are age 16 and older and experiencing a mental health or substance abuse event that doesn’t require admission to a hospital; they need stabilization and care coordination.
Feedback indicates clients prefer being at the TSC than a hospital emergency department, where many traditionally went for nonlife threatening mental health events. “If you are suicidal or acutely psychotic, you do need to be in the emergency department,” says Moroz. Appreciating that people who come to the TSC are unwell, Moroz says, “We are low barrier: You come in when you want. The TSC is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. We are also low demand: If you don’t show for an appointment, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re discharged.” “Don’t worry if you qualify for our services or not. We’ll work on this. You’re going to get an outcome,” Moroz assures.
On Jan. 22 of this year, the TSC received additional professional support with the arrival of more than 20 crisis workers from HDGH’s Community Crisis Centre and CMHA’s recently re-located walk-in program.
As a one-stop shop, the TSC now houses the Crisis Centre and Coordinated Access. The centre’s second phase will launch soon with the Psychiatric Clinic, Urgent Care Clinic, Injection Suites and the Early Intervention Program. Gaining and sharing a broad understanding of local needs, the TSC meets regularly with Windsor and Essex County police, first responders and other community partners. It also does outreach work with the Downtown Mission of Windsor.
Having the TSC in place assures concerned residents that more is being done for local people dealing with mental illness.
By diverting patients with nonlife threatening mental illness to the TSC, hospital emergency departments are able to treat sick and injured patients sooner. Moroz says, “The TSC enables more ways to get people the help they need and are requesting.”