Making Mental
Health and
Substance Abuse
Services
More Accessible
More than 4,000 Northerners have
contributed to the North East Local
Health Integration Network’s (NE LHIN)
2013-2016 strategic plan. One of the
four health care priorities identified by
fellow Northerners is Making Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services
More Accessible.
It is estimated that 20%* of Ontario
residents are affected by a mental
health illness during their lifetime,
however as few as one-third of
these individuals seek help
*From Mental Health and Addictions in
Ontario LHINs, 2008
The North East LHIN is working
to help streamline the delivery of
mental health and substance abuse
services so that people can get the
help they need in a more timely
manner and as close to where they
live as possible.
Fall 2013
2013-2016 Integrated Health Service Plan
Making Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
More Accessible
Every year, the North East LHIN invests $75 million in 48 organizations
that deliver a wide range of mental health and substance abuse services.
Compared to the province, Northeastern Ontario has a higher rate of:
• Suicides and self-inflicted injuries (19% vs 11%).
• Mood Disorders (8% vs 7%).
• People with multiple chronic diseases.
• People aged 15 and older hospitalized for mental health issues.
• Self-injury hospitalizations (In 2010/11 the NE was the second highest in
the province)
Hospital
Sponsored
Mental
Health
Services
*From National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, the Ontario Mental Health Reporting System, ConnexOntario
Health Services Information, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information Health Indicators.
Hospital
Sponsored
Substance
Abuse
Services
Community
Sponsored
Substance
Abuse Services
Community Sponsored
Mental Health Services
In the North East LHIN’s 2013-16 strategic plan, three overarching
goals are outlined to move forward with making mental health and
substance abuse services more accessible. These include:
Improve access and system navigation for consumers and their families
The North East LHIN is:
• Realigning mental health service providers across the region so that it becomes easier for clients to access
their services (realignment efforts are underway in Timmins, Temiskaming and Sudbury).
• Working with small hospitals to start a mental health CritiCall program.
• Supporting the expansion of OTN technology to substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
Increase community capacity to provide more care options for Northerners while
decreasing acute sector pressures
The North East LHIN is:
• Working with partners to develop programs that incorporate the use of peer support workers. For example, the
newly opened transition house in Sudbury, staffed by peer support workers.
• Implementing emergency room diversion initiatives in the region’s four large cities including a community clinic to
care for people with mental health issues who may have previously gone to emergency.
• Providing 19 mental health nurses to 17 district school boards to help children.
Enhance care supports for people with complex issues through increased collaboration
The North East LHIN is:
• Enhancing the North East Behaviour Supports Ontario (BSO) system of care - 66 front line staff have been hired,
and training to 5,500 front line workers has been provided.
• Evaluating alternative models to improve access to assessments/support.
• Implementing provincial guidelines for individuals with dual disorders.
Fall 2013