New addiction and mental health agency across Thames Valley region provides integration update
LONDON | MIDDLESEX | ELGIN | OXFORD, ONT., July 16, 2021 – Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services, formerly Addiction Services of Thames Valley (ADSTV), CMHA Elgin-Middlesex, and CMHA Oxford County, is pleased to provide a community update.
Following an update in April 2021, leadership is pleased to announce that the organization has officially become CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services with government approval much sooner than anticipated and retroactive to April 1, 2021. Over the last months, CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services has worked to establish its integrated organization and now has a new Board of Directors, Co-CEOs (Beth Mitchell and Linda Sibley) and its full leadership structure.
The focus now turns toward ensuring staff have the details of their employment so together, as one team, they can start making the much anticipated changes to better serve people in communities throughout Thames Valley.
“There’s still work to do to bring our organizations together and we’re taking the time to do it right,” said Beth Mitchell, who will serve as co-CEO of CMHA Thames Valley. “As we continue the process of coming together, we’d like to recognize our incredible staff for their continued diligence through this journey, especially given the additional stress of the pandemic.”
The unified Vision of resilience for all through positive mental health and freedom from addiction will guide their work and commitment to all communities. The organization will work to create low-barrier and streamlined access to services and supports across the region.
“This is an exciting time as the integration will remove barriers so the community can find mental health and addiction supports seamlessly under one unified banner,” said Linda Sibley, who will also serve as co-CEO of CMHA Thames Valley. “Clients shouldn’t have to share their story over and over to get access to care. We’ll be one agency with one intake system and provide uninterrupted access to a wide range of quality mental health and addiction services throughout our region.”
In year one, CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services will work to establish:
- Integrated Intake, Access & Assessment
- Integrated Peer Support
- Integrated Crisis Services
- Integrated Housing Services
- Integrated Counselling Treatment Services
- Cross-disciplinary Teams serving in each part of the region
It will take time to reach the year-one goals – watch for more information in the fall as the organization continues with the transition and integration.
About Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services is an integrated mental health and addiction agency providing community-based supports and services to individuals aged 12 and up across Elgin, Middlesex, and Oxford Counties. The continuum of services includes crisis intervention and virtual supports, mobile crisis teams, police partnerships, case management, counseling, and community wellness programs for both individuals and their families. Housing supports and addiction medicine services are also available. Treatment and service plans are developed based on standardized screening and assessment protocols and procedures. The organization was established in April 2021 when three organizations (Addiction Services of Thames Valley, CMHA Elgin-Middlesex, and CMHA Oxford) united to better serve the mental health and addiction needs of the Thames Valley Region. It is guided by its vision “resilience for all through positive mental health and freedom from addiction”.
www.adstv.on.ca | www.cmhaelgin.ca | www.cmhamiddlesex.ca | www.cmhaoxford.on.ca
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For media inquiries or more information, please contact Communications:
Jillian Driessen, Communications
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
jdriessen@adstv.ca
519-673-3242 ext 293
Kelly Morgan, Communications
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
k.morgan@cmhamiddlesex.ca
519-282-1562