Ontario is investing $1.2 million in the construction of a new mental health crisis centre in London to help adults dealing with mental health or addiction challenges receive the treatment they need. The new facility will provide support for about 2,100 patients each year.

The facility will be operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association Middlesex and will allow adults facing mental health or addiction crises with a safe place to stay for as long as 72 hours. Staff will provide clients with assessments, crisis intervention, referrals to long-term services and follow-ups on their mental health and addiction issues. The addition of the facility will divert patients with mental health or addictions crises away from hospital emergency departments and involvement of police services to a more appropriate setting.

“Our government is committed to improving access to community mental health and addictions services,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, in a press release. “By building a new community crisis centre in London, we’re connecting people with the right supports and providing high quality care close to home.”

This investment is part of the next phase of Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, which includes investing $138 million over three years into community agencies to help support improvements to mental health and addiction services. By supporting community mental health and addictions services, the Ontario government has made strides towards building a better province. Ontario’s Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care is helping provide patients with faster access to the best care.