In this issue
- Mental Health and Addiction Initiatives in Primary Care
- AFHTO 2019 conference
Mental Health and Addiction and Primary Care
In any given year, one in five Canadians, including over one million children and youth, experiences a mental health problem or illness1. Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada, and one-third of Canadians in need of mental health care report that their needs are not fully met1. Every Ontarian should have equitable access to mental health and addictions services and supports across the province.
In order to reach this goal, patients must have access to mental health and addictions resources in all health care settings, including primary care. Integrating mental health services in primary care has been shown to decrease rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations, increase patient satisfaction and outcomes, decrease stigma, and increases access to services.
AFHTO members have developed, implemented and evaluated a variety of mental health & addiction programs and initiatives focusing on improving access, quality of care, transitions, and integrations. Listed within the document below are some of these programs and initiatives that have been shared at previous AFHTO conferences. The presentations are categorized into three areas: access, quality of care, and transitions, integrations and partnerships.
Click here for a listing of AFHTO member mental health and addiction initiatives.
The mental health and addiction sector is also working to improve access and services through the E-QIP (Excellence through Quality Improvement Project) initiative. E-QIP is a collaborative initiative of Additions Mental Health Ontario (AMHO), Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Health Quality Ontario. E-QIP is working with organizations (including primary care teams) across the province to identify and address quality issues that are relevant to specific regions and organizations. Click here to learn more about the E-QIP initiative and how you can get involved.
AFHTO, CMHA and AMHO have recently partnered to complete a 4-part webinar series focusing on community and primary care QI projects and initiatives in the area of mental health and addiction. Click here to access the slides and recording of the first webinar. Keep an eye out for dates of the rest of the webinar series in AFHTO’s Bits & Pieces newsletter and QI in Action e-Bulletin.
Email improve@afhto.ca if you would like to get in contact with any of the teams listed above to learn more about their programs or initiatives. Or let us know if you have developed a program or service that should be shared with our teams!
AFHTO 2019 Conference
Here are some important dates relating to this year’s AFHTO conference taking place September 19 & 20.
- June 2019: Conference registration opens
- August 19, 2019: Hotel group rate deadline
- September 4, 2019: Early-bird registration ends
- Sep 19 & 20, 2019: AFHTO 2019 Conference
References:
- Mental Health and Primary Care Policy Framework. (2016). Centre for Addition and Mental Health. https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/pdfs—public-policy-submissions/primarycarepolicyframework_march2016-pdf.pdf
- Addressing Mental Health and Addictions Needs in Primary Care – Canadian Mental Health Association. https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/addressing-mental-health-and-addictions-needs-in-primary-care/
- Michelle Funk, Benedetto Saraceno, Natalie Drew, Edwige Faydi. Integrating mental health into primary healthcare. Ment Health Fam Med. 2008 Mar; 5(1): 5–8.
In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #88 or other back issues here!
Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.
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