(North Bay, June 22, 2021) – The community mental health, addictions and housing support agency formerly known as Nipissing Mental Health Housing & Support Services (NMHHSS) is pleased to announce its official transition to a Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branch, effective today. The organization is now known as CMHA North Bay and District.
“Today’s news marks the culmination of many months of hard work to ensure individuals experiencing mental health and addictions issues in our community continue to receive the best possible care and services,” said CMHA North Bay and District CEO Mary Davis. “There are many benefits to becoming a CMHA and leveraging the expertise of its network of branches across Ontario to improve programs and services for our region. We look forward to bringing our expertise to the network while also learning best practices from our provincial counterparts.
“This is a win in every sense – for our staff, clients and community as a whole.”
In October 2020, the then NMHHSS board of directors approved a motion to become a CMHA branch. Participating in the CMHA network will provide NMHHSS clients and staff additional resources, supports and programs. The agency will be able to offer CMHA Ontario provincial programs such as Bounce Back, Mental Health Works, Talk Today, Living Life to the Full, Resilient Minds and In the Know, which are available to clients and the broader public. As well, NMHHSS will be able to access the expertise of CMHA Ontario initiatives like the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health and the Provincial Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee Secretariat.
Becoming a CMHA also allows the agency to share its expertise with the CMHA network across Ontario and Canada. CMHA North Bay and District brings significant experience, particularly in areas of housing and peer support, which will benefit CMHA branches provincewide.
“This is a proud moment for CMHA as we introduce CMHA North Bay and District to our family,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “With this addition today, our network of branches in Ontario is stronger. CMHA North Bay and District is already a well-established leader in community-based mental health and addictions care, and becoming a CMHA will only stand to improve the high level of service clients already receive. We’re excited for what’s to come.”
Fast facts:
- Over the last year, NMHHSS staff provided 65,560 hours of care working directly with clients in the community in the areas of mental health and addictions, supportive housing, and related programs.
- CMHA North Bay and District is now CMHA’s 28th branch in Ontario.
- CMHAs in Ontario support more than 100,000 individuals each year with mental health and addictions programs and supports.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, North Bay and District
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), North Bay and District is a local mental health, addictions and peer support agency that specializes in support services to people who have a serious or persistent mental illness, and may have other medical and/or behavioural complexities. CMHA North Bay and District works to promote wellness and empower individuals to achieve their full potential by providing collaborative supports, advocacy and sustainable housing through a respectful and culturally-sensitive approach to care. Learn more at www.nbd.cmha.ca.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 28 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.
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To arrange an interview, contact:
Carla Ammerata
Co-ordinator, Policies & Governmental Affairs
Canadian Mental Health Association, North Bay and District
T: 249-591-1775
E: ckemsley@nmhhss.ca
Justin Dickie
Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
T: 416-977-5580, ext. 4175
E: jdickie@ontario.cmha.ca