A mental illness and addictions crisis centre, to be operated by CMHA Middlesex, is expected to start receiving patients in January and be fully functional in approximately six months. “This is a strong investment in the well-being of individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis,” Mitchell told the London Free Press. “You will be able to walk (into) the crisis centre 24/7 and find support.”
Once the facility is operational, it will provide clients with assessments, crisis intervention, referrals to longer-term services and follow-ups on their mental health and addictions issues, according to the Ontario government.
Patients will be permitted to stay at the crisis centre for up to 72 hours, helping them divert from hospital emergency departments and involvement with police services. The centre is expected to serve 2,100 adults annually.
The Ontario government has earmarked $1.2 million to make the conversion. The facility will cost $1.4 million annually to operate.