Lakeridge Health, one of Ontario’s largest integrated health-care systems, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), a world-renowned facility and Canada’s leading mental health teaching hospital, were pleased to announce on April 4 a first-of-its kind partnership aimed at transforming mental health care in Durham Region.
Together, Lakeridge Health and CAMH’s mission is to transform mental health care in Durham Region through a replicable model of academic and clinical excellence, delivering accessible, high-quality care close to home. This collaboration will spark transformative change in Durham Region, improving the lives of those living with mental health challenges and empowering them to embark on a path toward best health, resilience, and success.
“This is a significant milestone for Durham Region,” said Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “Our individual and collective health truly depends on a collaborative, patient-focused approach where silos are removed, and organizations work together toward shared goals. This is at the core of Lakeridge Health’s mental health strategy, Together, Best Mental Health. Today’s announcement not only reinforces our commitment to strengthening urgent and emergency mental health care right here at home, but it is also an open invitation for other organizations to join us in partnership for even greater impact.”
Sarah Downey, President and CEO, CAMH, added: “Advancing mental health care means building capacity across the system. Partnerships like this are a key driver of our Connected CAMH strategic plan. We are bringing our clinical, research, and education expertise together with Lakeridge Health’s breadth of clinical expertise and deep community roots, to improve access to integrated care in Durham and beyond.”
Overall, Lakeridge Health sees more than 100,000 mental health visits a year for adults, more than 12,000 visits for children and youth, and more than 14,000 annual visits to its Emergency Departments related to mental health and substance abuse. According to the Region of Durham, in 2022, approximately 42 people per 100,000 residents experienced homelessness, with projections indicating an increase to 62 per 100,000 by 2025. Additionally, in any given year, Canadian statistics show that one in five people will experience or be impacted by mental illness and addictions issues.
“This innovative partnership between Lakeridge Health and CAMH exemplifies our commitment to recovery-based mental health and addictions programs,” said Dan Carter, Mayor of Oshawa. “Working together, we will transform mental health care, providing integrated care solutions that fully support individuals on their path to long-term recovery.”
This unique partnership is truly going to be life-changing for many patients, clients and family members affected by mental illness and addictions. As Dr. Kevin Chopra, Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director of Mental Health, Lakeridge Health, said, “The coming together of lived experience, clinical expertise and academic excellence is the recipe we need right now for integrated, compassionate and personalized mental health care in Durham Region and beyond.”
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