A mental health and justice safe bed program is coming to the Manitoulin Health Centre.
The centre’s clinical innovation manager, Melanie Stephens, says the program is going to provide opportunities for individuals to get familiar with support services to assist them with their crises.
The centre received funding supports from Ontario Health and the Northeastern Ontario LHINs in July for the hire.
She adds the program will be dedicated to mental health and justice clients aged 16 and older.
An implementation plan will be put together with the program start up set for the Spring.
Clients generally stay until they feel stabilized, up to a maximum of 30 days depending on their needs, and will have constant access to care providers. A patient is not required to use the service if they get a referral. The service will be shared between the two hospital sites on the Island.
Having a safe bed at the hospital in partnership with policing agencies is expected to have positive impacts for other programs supporting at-risk or repeat offenders in connecting with services rather than coming in conflict with the law.