Base Funding Saves Mount Forest and Fergus Same Day Mental Health Clinics Thanks to WWLHIN
Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington (FCSSGW) will receive an increase to its base funding from the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (WWLHIN) to provide permanent same day mental health clinics in Mount Forest and Fergus. The current same day service to these communities was to end on April 30, 2019.
The funding is part of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s announcement from May 6 to give service providers access to stable, long-term funding that supports patients and families with mental health and addictions issues and reduce wait times.
The base increase comes in response to an ongoing, increased need in Wellington County for quick access walk-in clinics. Mental health issues can escalate quickly and having access to early intervention same day services from expert therapists means clients can expect to leave the clinics with an action plan and hope.
“Wellington County is in a mental health crisis, and FCSSGW is busier than ever. Thanks to the WWLHIN, government, community donors and United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin funding combined with partnerships with local family health teams, mental health agencies and post-secondary learning institutions, FCSSGW can continue to make the best services available to the residents of Guelph-Wellington cost effectively,” said executive director Joanne Young Evans.
Forty per cent of clients who use the existing Guelph same day walk-in services seek support to address critical incidents of self-harm and suicidal ideation. This statistic comes from client assessments and demonstrates the exponential demand for accessible mental health services, as it has doubled in the last two years.
The Mount Forest clinic will continue to run Mondays from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Mount Forest Family Health Team (Claire Stewart Clinic). Clients can call 519-824-2431, ext. 36 starting at 9:00 am to get a same-day appointment or email intake@familyserviceguelph.on.ca.
The Fergus clinic runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Centre Wellington District High School. There is no appointment necessary, and everyone is welcome.
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