Waterloo Region to get first specialized crisis care centre

Centre offers specialized care for mental health and substanceuse issues through collaboration with community partners

Waterloo Region will open its first integrated crisis centre this summer to address the need for specialized care for those experiencing mental health and substance-use issues.

The centre, at 298 Lawrence Ave. in Kitchener, is the product of a collaboration between Thresholds Homes and Supports — a non-profit organization providing comprehensive mental health, substanceuse and housing support services — and Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHAWW), as well as other community partners.

“The opening of this clinic represents our deep commitment to providing innovative solutions for mental health care,” said Eric Philip, CEO of Thresholds Homes and Supports, in a news release.

“We are incredibly grateful to CMHAWW for their partnership on this project, and we look forward to reshaping the landscape of crisis care with them, prioritizing dignity and recovery for all those we serve.”

Opening as a non-funded pilot project — the aim is to secure ongoing funding for sustainability — the centre will serve as an alternate destination to hospital, diverting people away from overcrowded emergency rooms to a more suitable environment for care, according to the release.

Emergency departments, according to the release, are not an optimal place to treat people with mental health or substance-uses crises. Often, the release stated, these patients are left waiting hours and even days in assessment before any care can be administered. Also, patients with substance-use issues may only be treated for that and not for possible underlying mental health issues.

“We continue to see an increase in the complexity of needs and risks in our community, said Helen Fishburn, CEO of CMHAWW.

“The integrated crisis centre will ensure clients have a welcoming environment, designed specifically for mental health, addictions and crisis challenges, with access to crisis stabilization and services, including peer support that will improve their overall support experience and health outcomes.”

The centre will have reduced hours when it first opens — Tuesday to Saturday, from 2 to 8 p.m. Once funding become available, the plan is to open the centre around the clock, seven days a week.