The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kenora Branch and Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake First Nation) recently launched the third and final pilot site for a mobile mental health and addictions clinic (MMHAC) in northwestern Ontario in Eagle Lake First Nation.

The communities of Vermilion Bay and Eagle Lake First Nation are located on the lake's north shore.

The first and second pilot sites were announced earlier this year at Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls and Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) respectively.

On May 30, 2022, a team from CMHA Kenora visited with the Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake First Nation) community to introduce the services that make up MMHAC. The mobile clinic is comprised of mental health and addiction service providers, trained social workers, nurses, counsellor, addiction specialist, case manager and service navigator. Its services include intake and brief services, referrals to existing services, and psychiatric support and follow-up.
Councillor Lloyd Napish was on hand to welcome CMHA Kenora and help community members learn more about MMHAC. “I am looking forward to continuing our work together with CMHA Kenora,” said Councillor Lloyd Napish. “Bringing mobile supports directly to our community will help ensure individuals receive the care and support when and where they need it.”

“Our approach is to promote health equity with services that are trauma-informed, culturally, and developmentally appropriate and available, said Sara Dias, Chief Executive Officer, CMHA Kenora. “Receiving this early intervention care may help reduce the need for higher intensity support or crisis intervention in the future.”

MMHACs are overseen by the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence at Ontario Health. More information will be announced in summer 2022.