Sarnia-Lambton residents struggling with mental health and addiction are being given another treatment option, one that's more laid back and approachable.
A mobile crisis response team will be launched, thanks to $2.5 million in provincial funding, over the next three years.
The Community Health Integrated Care Pilot (CHIC) is being done in collaboration with Sarnia and Ontario Provincial Police, Lambton Public Health, the Canadian Mental Health Association, social service agencies, Rapids Family Health Team, the Sarnia Lambton Ontario Health Team, and Bluewater Health.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo was in Wyoming on Wednesday to make the announcement.
He said the team is being implemented as a community paramedicine program and won't impact 9-1-1 ambulance services, including dispatch.
"Our existing teams across the province have been incredibly successful at creating trust and positive outcomes in their communities," said Tibollo. "I had the chance to ride along with paramedics in Oshawa and see them in action. They attended a car where people were living and were able to provide supports and services to the individuals. They then were able to go to another location and meet up with someone who was going through withdrawal. By doing this, what we're doing is alleviating some of the pressures on the police, but at the same we're alleviating the pressures in hospital emergency rooms."
Starting next month, one paramedic and one substance use navigator from Bluewater Health will be working from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week.
They'll travel around the county, assisting those in need.
Lambton EMS Manager Stephen Turner said the team will be both proactive and responsive.
"So, we anticipate the proactive piece will be to keep people well," said Turner. "And when challenges happen, either with mental health and addictions or overdoses, we can co-respond with 9-1-1 to deescalate and look for opportunities for diversion from emergency departments or from jail. We can place them directly into addiction treatment programs, whether that's through withdrawal management beds, or we're working on a system with direct access to primary care either the same day or next day."
Turner said the biggest challenge is to create stronger connections with those who need it most.
"We're getting called for those mental health crises at least twice a day and for opioid addictions and overdoses at least daily," he said. "The amount of responses we've had for those who are under-housed or homeless has doubled in just the course of a year and continues to grow. So, this is very much an area that we need to focus on, and it'll make a significant impact."
Turner recognizes some people are more responsive to a casual approach.
"This team will be deployed in a more subdued vehicle, or on a bike or on foot," he said. "So the teams will be really down to the ground. It won't be an ambulance swooping in. Sometimes the uniforms can put people off, so they'll be dressed down a bit and more approachable."
Supports offered will also include wound care, health and wellness checks, medication supports, and education on first aid and infection control.
Donna Morreau is the Integrated Director for Mental Health and Addiction Services at Bluewater Health and CMHA Lambton-Kent.
She said she's feeling a sense of anticipation and purpose ahead of the program launch.
"This is a vital new addition to the healthcare landscape in Lambton County," said Morreau. "The launch of this team is an important milestone in our journey to ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of every individual within our community."
Lambton EMS Crisis System Navigation Manager Anita Trusler said they want to build trust and rapport with neighbours who have complex needs.
"This will be achieved by meeting people where they are at, offering early street-level treatment and support, and working with many partners. Evidence has clearly demonstrated that these types of interventions can reduce 9-1-1 chronic usage, increase capacity for our hospitals, paramedics and police and most importantly to better health outcomes for marginalized individuals in our community. We're committed to building a successful pilot in Lambton."
Sarnia Lambton Ontario Health Team Executive Lead Nadine Neve, and Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott also spoke at Wednesday's event.
Overall, Ontario is investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to fill gaps in mental health and addictions care, create new services and expand programs through Roadmap to Wellness.