funding announcementA significant funding announcement for programs that respond to the needs of people experiencing mental health and addiction issues in the North Bay Area.

The Northeast Local Health Integration Network announced $4.4-million involving six areas of mental health.

 

Danielle Bélanger-Corbin is the regional LHIN Board Chair, and she says it’s important to fund different areas of Mental Health.

 

 

Over $3-million dollars will go toward setting up a women’s forensic bed unit. Program Director Hélène Philbin-Wilkinson says this unit will have eight beds for adult women who have been found unfit to stand trial, or not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.

 

Philbin-Wilkinson says this is a program that will take in women across the province.

 

Hélène Philbin-Wilkinson - mental health awareness
Philbin-Wilkinson

 

 

Hospital CEO Paul Heinrich says the fact they were selected for the program is a real testament to the high quality of the team in North Bay.

 

 

paul heinrich hosptial ceo 1

 

Bélanger-Corbin says the programs will go a long way to ending the stigma surrounding mental health.

 

 

The other program areas receiving funding include postpartum mood disorder, an outreach centre in Mattawa, the Community Mobilization Hub, and Nipissing Housing mental health services and efforts to help those with brain injuries adjust from hospital to community.

 

written by matthew.sookram@northbayradio.rogers.com and richard.coffin@northbayradio.rogers.com