Each year, thousands of healthcare users benefit from the mental health resources offered by CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, along with services provided by partners in the community. This past November, CIUSSS West-Central Montreal took the initiative to bring together mental health professionals from throughout the territory at the network’s first ever West-Central Mental Health Resource Fair.
The fair was organized to promote networking between CIUSSS therapists and their community partners in mental health organizations, says Isabelle Bisaillon, a Planning, Programming and Research Officer in the Mental Health and Addiction Department. “There are many wonderful programs and resources within our network and in the community, we were all eager to learn about each other’s initiatives and strengthen our cooperation,” she notes. The fair was organized in collaboration with the West-Central Mental Health Roundtable (a grouping of mental health organizations in our territory).
The November 9 fair attracted more than 250 visitors from 45 community organizations. “There were so many participants, it’s clear that there’s a willingness to connect with peers,” says Ms. Bisaillon. Organizers envision a second fair, at a date to be determined, that will also welcome residents living in West-Central Montreal’s territory to update them on the mental health resources at their disposal.
A sampling of the community organizations in attendance at the fair include:
• Agence Ometz
• AMI-Quebec
• NDG Community Council
• Chez Doris
• Forward House
• Tandem-prevention CDN-NDG
• Multicaf
Among the CIUSSS programs present were:
• Mental Health Access Desk for Adults
• Assertive Community Treatment
• Intensive Case Management
• PRISM Welcome Hall Mission
• Welcome Hall Mission
• Équipe Connexion
• ACCESS Open Minds
Direct any questions about the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal Mental Health Fair to Ms. Bisaillon via Lotus at Isabelle.Bisaillon.DLM@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
