An initiative between a Windsor-Essex hospital and paramedics is marking two years in the community.
The Mental Health and Addictions Response Team (MHART), from Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) and Essex-Windsor EMS, launched in 2022, has shown significant success in meeting demand for non-critical substance abuse and mental health situations.
MHART provides patients with overdose follow-up, education on risk reduction, safety planning, chronic disease management, naloxone and harm reduction kit dispensing and education, and connecting individuals with community support and recovery options.
"As the region’s specialty hospital HDGH understands the importance and impact of collaborative teams such as MHART," said HDGH President and CEO Bill Marra. "As we continue to focus on programs that support clients where they are, in the community, we will continue to reduce emergency room visits and 911 calls."
For 2023-2024, a second full-time social worker was added to the program, to allow 12-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week coverage, which resulted in a decline in 911 calls for engaged clients.
"The partnership with EMS is extremely valuable," said HDGH social worker Melissa Major. "It means we can provide front-line medical support to our clients in the moment. This means that the most vulnerable of the clients we serve can receive not only social work assessments, referrals, and community connections but also support for the complex medical needs that they have, navigating two systems simultaneously."
Complete information about MHART can be found on HDGH's official website.
