With Hamilton’s housing and opioid crises brought further to light through the pandemic, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Hamilton Branch has stepped up to provide supports to homeless individuals across the city.
In July 2020, the CMHA Street Team was launched. Despite already-stretched resources, CMHA Hamilton deployed one registered nurse and four peer support workers to help homeless individuals with accessible primary, mental health and addictions care.
The CMHA Street team provides mental health and addictions support, nursing care, and connects individuals living in tents virtually to physicians, addictions medicine specialists and psychiatrists to treat and stabilize their health. Additionally, the team facilitates access to housing, supports transitions into housing and ensures continued support to prevent eviction and institutionalization.
This initiative is available to any homeless individuals facing mental health or addictions issues who could benefit from flexible, intensive supports.
CMHA Hamilton works with many community partners to meet the needs of the people in the community. People looking for more information on the CMHA Street Team may contact 905-521-0900 ext. 247.