Mental health and addictions line ready for calls

NEWS RELEASE

NORTH EAST LOCAL HEALTH INTEGRATION NETWORK

****************************** North East LHIN responds to call to help enhance services for mental health and addictions

The North East LHIN today provided $170,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association - Sudbury/ Manitoulin Branch (CMHA-SM) to help it enhance its “warm-line” so that residents across Northeastern Ontario can access its services.

The enhanced warm line will be implemented and coordinated by NISA/Northern initiative for Social Action and the CMHA – Sudbury/Manitoulin.

They will work in partnership with five other consumer/survivor initiatives across the region to staff the hot line. 

This toll-free telephone line,  staffed by trained individuals with “lived” experience,  will be available to people across Northeastern Ontario who are in need of mental health and addiction support after regular office hours, 6 p.m. to midnight, seven days per week. 

This funding is part of the NE LHIN’s strategy to enhance mental health and addiction services while helping to decrease the number of repeat visits to emergency departments across the region. 

The need for more mental health and addition services for people living in Northeastern Ontario was stated loudly and clearly in the NE LHIN’s recent engagements with more than 600 people across the region.

The number to call is 1-800-WARM or 1-705-671-9276.

****************************** Pictured: From left to right; Michael Clark, regional warm line coordinator, Louise Paquette, CEO of the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN), and Shana Calixte, executive director (NISA).