Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB) to enhance access to community-based mental health services for patients transitioning from hospital care to outpatient support.
This collaboration will streamline referrals from ESHC’s inpatient units and Emergency Department to CMHA-WECB, ensuring patients needing mental health services receive timely and appropriate care in their community.
This initiative, a first at ESHC since 2019, will connect individuals to specialized programs and ongoing support based in Leamington. The partnership aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions.
“Ensuring our patients have access to the mental health resources they need after leaving the hospital is critical,” said Kristin Kennedy, President and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare. “By working closely with CMHA-WECB, we are strengthening the continuum of care and ensuring individuals receive the right support at the right time.”
Through this initiative, ESHC staff will work directly with CMHA’s intake and navigation teams to facilitate seamless transitions for patients requiring community-based services.
The partnership supports individuals facing mental health challenges by providing early intervention, case management, and access to counselling and support programs in their community.
“As the leading provider of community mental health services, CMHA Windsor-Essex is proud to partner with Erie Shores HealthCare to enhance access to vital mental health support,” said Nicole Sbrocca, CEO, CMHA-WECB. Without proper follow-up care, individuals may experience a relapse in symptoms, leading to another crisis and/or hospitalization.
Community supports provide continuity of care, reducing the risk of readmission, and give further credence to the importance of the system working together for all transitions in care, which is better for the patient, care partners and the health system.
The collaboration aligns with ESHC’s ongoing efforts to expand mental healthcare options in the region and reinforce a patient-centred approach to healthcare.
By working together, ESHC and CMHA-WECB are committed to reducing barriers to mental health services and fostering long-term wellness for patients in the community.
For more information about the partnership and available mental health resources, please visit https://erieshoreshealthcare.ca or https://windsoressex.cmha.ca.
