Community Mental Health Programs (CMHP) is a team within Mission Services of London. CMHP offers services to those experiencing concerns related to homelessness (or are at risk of homelessness), mental illness, and/or substance addiction.
CMHP provides support through the following programs:
Streetscape:
Streetscape provides crisis intervention to participants who may be experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, may be suffering from mental illness or a mental health crisis, and/or may be suffering from substance addiction.
(L to R, top): Dominique Godoy, Chuck Miller, Matt Borst, Tom Bissett, Sarai Fonseca, Shari Snow
(L to R, bottom): Paula McNee, Caitie Mullarkey, Damaris Moxley, Kylie Gillis, Olivia Vansevenant
As a community-based program, Streetscape staff meet participants where they’re at. This includes meeting the participant where they’re staying, which may be outdoors.
Often, the men and women served by Streetscape have little or no support. Streetscape aims to alleviate a crisis by developing individualized, reliable support systems for each participant through referrals. For example, health care providers, addiction treatment centres, domestic violence support, and more.
Transitional Case Management Outreach (TCMO):
TCMO is a partnership between London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services to provide support for men and women who are receiving care or transitioning out of care at Victoria Hospital and are suffering from mental illness and/or substance addiction.
A Transitional Case Manager (TCM) works with the participant for up to nine weeks, advocating on their behalf, helping to navigate any barriers, and supporting their transition into a stable living environment upon discharge from the hospital.
“By connecting the participant with specialized support services, we hope they feel some of the weight lifted. We want them to know that they do not have to go through this alone and that as a community, we will walk alongside them as they navigate their circumstance.”
– Dominique Godoy, Program Supervisor
Court Diversion:
Court Diversion works with participants who are involved in the justice system. The Court Diversion Worker can provide justice referrals, help with understanding paperwork and legal proceedings, and advocate for the participant and their treatment plan to probation officers or in court.
For participants soon transitioning out of custody, the Court Diversion Worker will meet with them to prepare for a stable transition back into the community.
“Court Diversion helps to relieve any anxiety about court proceedings and legal processes because it’s common for the participant to not know how to navigate the justice system. A lot of Court Diversion’s support is also advocating for the participant by confirming that they are attending treatment, groups, or taking other tangible actions to make a change.”
– Sarai Fonseca, Community Support Worker & Court Diversion Worker
Resource Centre:
Located in the Men’s Mission, the Resource Centre focuses on social rehabilitation for those suffering from mental illness, and offers access to technology.
The Resource Centre works to support participants as they rebuild social skills through non-threatening engagement, such as coffee groups and recreational games. The staff members are a listening ear for the participants and try to be a beacon of encouragement.
Computers are available, and the Resource Centre staff often help with job search and resume building, immigration paperwork, and working through educational avenues. The Resource Centre staff can also apply for replacements of participant’s missing identification documents, needed for housing applications, banking, and more.
“It’s really great to see the guys get the missing pieces of their lives back together again.” – Tom Bissett & Chuck Miller, Community Support Workers (Resource Centre)