Navigating the complex mental health system: Waypoint Centre offers assistance
The spotlight on mental health has become brighter than ever before.
"I think the pandemic has had an impact in terms of how widespread some of the stresses and challenges are that people have experienced," said Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, Waypoint Centre President and CEO.
Isolation and added economic stresses have made it harder for people to get care early on.
Officials with the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care acknowledge that navigating the mental health system is complex and want people to reach out.
"Waypoint has a central intake team of clinicians who can be phoned and are often able to provide some insights on system navigation," Dr. Sunderji said.
The Penetanguishene centre boasts several programs which anyone can self-refer to, including the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program, providing freely available access to therapy for depression and anxiety as well as trauma.
"That's really important because we know that structured program has really excellent outcomes clinically. So people are monitored very regularly throughout their period to ensure they're improving," Dr. Sunderji added.
It also offers a new virtual program to make care for mental health and addictions more accessible, which the doctor said was greatly needed.
"A rising prevalence and severity of substance use disorders alongside mental illness, and that can be a really tough combination in terms of worsening mental health symptoms and making it harder to get out of that cycle."
While progress is being made, Dr. Sunderji said the fight isn't just about stigma anymore.
"It's really about transforming the whole system."
Sunderji says if there is a silver lining or a positive legacy of the pandemic, it's impacted how health service providers across the region and province are now working together and partnering to try and make care more accessible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
China's latest EV is a 'connected' car from smart phone and electronics maker Xiaomi
Xiaomi, a well-known maker of smart consumer electronics in China, is joining the country's booming but crowded market for electric cars.