The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kenora Branch and Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) are planning a second pilot site for the mobile mental health and addictions clinic (MMHAC) in northwest Ontario. This site will be located in Grassy Narrows, Ontario. The first pilot site was announced March 2022 at Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls.

MMHAC is a clinic on wheels that can provide intervention early. Its aim is to reduce the need for higher intensity support or crisis intervention in a culturally competent and safe manner. Its multidisciplinary team includes mental health and addictions services providers, appropriately trained nurses, psychiatrist, case manager and service navigator. The clinic will offer intake and brief services, referrals to existing services, and psychiatric support and follow-up.

Thanks to the leadership of Chief Randy Fobister of Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Nation, the community hosted a welcoming ceremony to introduce the pilot as well as support CMHA Kenora Branch with the clinic’s implementation.

Being mobile, the clinic will help reduce the need for people having to travel to find services by meeting more clients in more places. More information will be shared soon.