Brightshores Health System is marking one year since the opening of the Wellness and Recovery Centre.
The centre officially opened on June 18, 2024 in a repurposed former school in Owen Sound.
At the centre, stable housing is provided while "individuals with complex needs receive treatment and begin the recovery journey, with wraparound programs and services provided under one roof," according to a media release from Brightshores.
Staff at the centre provide things like crisis support, daily drop-in clinics, addictions and mental health treatments and more.
Since its opening, more than 33,000 outpatient visits to access service at the centre. It has 45 beds, which are quite typically full on a regular basis.
"Being the first model of its kind in Ontario, this facility has filled a critical gap in response to the mental health and addiction crisis in our province — it's become a place of hope, healing and connection," said Naomi Vodden, Director, Mental Health and Addictions Services at Brightshores. "While we know there is continued work to do, I'm incredibly proud of our team's unwavering commitment and the impact we've made in just one year. This milestone reflects the progress made as well as the opportunity to create lasting, meaningful change in the lives of individuals, families and communities across Grey Bruce."
Key impacts from the last year include:
- 30 per cent reduction of patients returning to Brightshores’ Emergency Departments within 30 days for care related to substance use
- Reduction in total visits for substance use at area Emergency Departments
- 80 per cent of individuals on waitlist are attending virtual treatment or in-person electives
- 31 clients experiencing homelessness were discharged with stable housing
- 202 clients completed their individualized treatment plan
- 483 monthly addictions and/or mental health group sessions
- Creation of a sweat lodge with input from local Indigenous partners