Campbellford Memorial Hospital’s Community Mental Health Centre team. /CMH photo
Knowing where to turn for help in a mental health crisis or taking care of your mental health isn’t always easy, but there is help out there, says Heather McColman, a clinical case manager with Campbellford Memorial Hospital’s Community Mental Health Centre.
The CMH team is one of several across the county looking to help tackle rising demand for access to mental health services.
In Campbellford, a small but mighty team focuses on individuals primarily 16 and older, and McColman says they are getting more referrals and seeing more youth, adults and older adults seeking care.
However, the reasons why individuals are seeking services vary – from people reaching out for the first time to individuals returning who’ve accessed support before – and each person is unique, notes McColman.
At the centre, the team helps individuals who have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders, chronic health conditions, complicated grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, acquired brain injury, and the list goes on, like caregiver burnout, workplace stress, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression, explains McColman.
CMH also works with partners in the region to refer residents to additional services in the community if not in their scope of practice, whether that’s to a peer support group or other social and wellbeing programs being delivered locally, as just an example.
McColman tells us more about the centre’s three primary programs.
The counselling and treatment program focuses on individuals who are currently wanting to address their mental health and wellbeing, while the early psychosis intervention program focuses on youth ages 14 to 35 who’ve had a first episode of psychosis and then need ongoing support and possibly connections to other services like peer support, psychiatry, primary care, et cetera, explains McColman.
Meanwhile, the mental health court diversion program’s name says it all: This program focuses on diversion. The centre also has a variety of mental health groups, from social groups to psychoeducation groups, and more.
This year, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Mental Health Week message is to “Come Together, Canada.”
“This message is to encourage you to connect with your community and yourself,” says McColman. “We are encouraging people to connect with others to strengthen belonging, reduce isolation and support well-being because connection strengthens mental health and we believe that as well.”
What’s one way you could get involved after reading here?
Just take a few minutes for yourself and consider what you’re doing to care for yourself and connect with others – that’s a start, explains McColman.
And that’s not all.
McColman also notes social and physical activities, psychoeducational groups, and the like can be a big help under wellness strategies for people when trying to cope with life stressors.
“A reminder to not worry alone and to connect with others (and) to build your social network. By connecting with others, you break down the barriers to and of social isolation. We’re encouraging people to make an effort this week to connect with someone and spend time with that person intentionally as a way of reducing social isolation.”
Efforts to reduce stigma, increase awareness about services out there, share the message about social connection and people talking openly about experiences, all of it is having an impact, says McColman.
The Ontario Health Team of Northumberland is also hosting a “Come Together event” today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cobourg Community Centre. The event is bringing together more than 35 local organizations under one roof to help residents connect with local supports.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
