History of CMHA Lambton

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Lambton County Branch, traces its early beginnings back to the 1950’s.  A grassroots organization; one part-time staffer and several dedicated volunteers worked out of a single room above a local book store.  There they offered a safe place for individuals with mental illness to drop-in, chat, and be directed for help, despite the incredible stigma that existed at that time.   

Resources for mental health and mental illness were few.  Government funding for community-based care did not yet exist as psychiatric care was provided in-hospital.  Moderate corporate support was sought, and sustained services.

With dedication, determination, and a vision for the future, the volunteers continued to reach out and to slowly develop their program.  In March of 1963, CMHA Lambton received its Charter, and in 1964, funding from the United Way.  Services slowly expanded with a goal to meet growing community need.

In 1979, funding was received from the Ministry of Health for creation of the Rehabilitation Action Program (RAP).  This program provided social support and rehabilitation services for individuals with a history of mental illness, and those who were socially or emotionally isolated.

The 1980s were a decade of major growth and expansion for the Branch.  The inaugural Gala Art Auction fundraiser was held, raising more than $10,000 for CMHA services.  In 1982, Ms. Marilynne Ryan was hired as a part-time Executive Director, and in 1984 her position was expanded to full time.  The Ministry of Health approved funding for the Community Integration Program (CIP) and a small staff worked to facilitate a program which focused on community integration through sports and recreation.  In 1985, a grant was received from the Trillium Foundation for the Preventive Education Program, and a part-time Education Coordinator position was established.  Quickly out-growing a small office space, CMHA Lambton found a new home in the Lochiel Kiwanis Centre. 

In September 1986, the responsibility of the hospital’s Case Management Program, funded by the Ministry of Health, was transferred to CMHA Lambton.  As well, “Neighbours Helping Neighbours” - a pilot program for families in rural Lambton - was co-funded by the United Way and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

In 1987, CMHA Lambton changed its name to CMHA, Lambton County Branch, in an effort to better reflect the agency’s expanding services.  The process of incorporation was initiated and by-law revision began.  In September of that year, the Preventive Education Program Coordinator Position was increased to full-time.

In 1988, CMHA Lambton County Branch celebrated its 25th Anniversary and incorporation was completed.  Major expansion funding was approved in 1989-1990 to address long waiting lists for the Ministry of Health funded programs, and CMHA program objectives were reviewed, and amended, to meet a wider range of consumer needs. 

Growth and expansion continued at a rapid pace into the 1990’s with enhancement of Case Management Services for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, and the CMHA Staff grew to 18.  A two-year grant enabled staff to extend education services to the isolated areas of rural Lambton, and the presence of CMHA in the rural communities expanded in 1992 with satellite offices in both Petrolia and Forest.  Additionally, funding for the Supportive Housing Options Program (SHOP) was approved and this program was implemented.

In 1994, the Support and Advocacy Services Program (SAS) was formed, which amalgamated the RAP, CIP, and SHOP Programs.  In August of 1996, CMHA Lambton County Branch moved to its new home at 210 Lochiel Street – where we still are today.  Ever growing, staff increased to 22.

By 1999, there was an identified need to provide a seamless continuum of community supports and related services, and Integrated Community Support Services (ICSS) was created.  This change successfully decreased duplication and fragmentation of service.  As well, a significant effort was made to optimize our Crisis Services.  In collaboration with our partners, Sarnia General Hospital Mental Health Program and the Ministry of Health, a review was undertaken which determined the need for increased resources for Crisis Program.  By year-end, a commitment had been made by the Ministry of Health to provide additional funding to both the Sarnia General Hospital Mental Health Program and CMHA Lambton, and service enhancements were implemented.

The year 2000 saw many successes, including the development of the Agency’s Strategic Plan.  Four priorities were identified by the Board of Directors, in consultation with staff, including "Building a Better Workplace", "Advocacy", "Developing Partnerships", and "Continuous Quality Improvement / Planning".  Our Strategic Plan continues to be updated ever three years and plays an extremely important role in guiding the direction of our organization.     

Demand for mental health services continued to grow, and the Branch sought, and acquired, additional resources to continue to improve the volume and quality of services.  Increased funding for enhancement of mobile (in-person) outreach Crisis Services was but one good example.

In 2001 we publicly voiced our objection to the Jim Carrey movie, “Me, Myself & Irene”, and how its inappropriate display of an individual with a mental illness perpetuated public misconception and stigma.  We participated in the Ontario Health Provider Alliance (with the VON and Sarnia VIP), to keep the government informed of concerns in the provision of care.  We were also one of four branches to participate in the CMHA Ontario Division’s peer review process; embracing new partnerships, and strengthening existing ones.

Under the leadership of the Essex, Kent and Lambton District Health Council, we joined as full partners in the Sarnia-Lambton Health System Coordination Group, and played a lead role in ensuring coordination of health and mental health services.  Our partnership with the Lambton Hospital Group Mental Health Services also continued to flourish and resulted in service improvements. 

Funding enhancements to the ICSS Program allowed us to support 20 additional clients with serious and persistent mental illness, and to implement a new supportive housing program.  As the benefits of our Court Diversion Service (for adults with mental illness who are also in the Justice and Corrections Systems) became more widely recognized, demand increased by an incredible 67%. 

In 2002, expansion of our Preventative Education Program was made possible when the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton generously enhanced their contribution by an increase of 20%. We also strengthened our fund development processes, established a Foundation for long-term donor giving (The Lambton County Mental Health Foundation), and promoted mental health through successful Mental Health Month activities. 

Representation was enjoyed on provincial bodies and initiatives, such as the CMHA Ontario Division Board, and subcommittees of the South West Mental Health Reform Implementation Task Force, and two new partnerships stood out as outstanding accomplishments.  First, in partnership with the Lambton Hospitals Group Mental Health Services PACT, we successfully implemented a single point of access for community based mental health services.  Second, we created a new satellite site to enhance our services to the First Nations people of Kettle and Stony Point in partnership with the Kettle and Stony Point Health Centre.  Funding enhancements for core services continued, and with them we continued to work to enhance services and meet identified service gaps. 

In 2003 we were fortunate to welcome Dr. Omar Aguilar to the CMHA team as a consulting psychiatrist.  With the aid of Dr. Aguilar, we would successfully pilot an Early Intervention Program for youth who had experienced a first episode of psychosis. 

We also collaborated with several key health care partners to develop primary care nurse practitioner services, increased our responsiveness to individuals who were dually diagnosed with both mental illness and developmental disability, increased outreach capacity for “difficult to engage” clients at risk of homelessness, and enhanced our follow-up services for people who are repeat users of crisis services but do not qualify for ongoing support through our community support services. 

Following an extensive search, we were excited to purchase a piece of land on Water Street in Sarnia in 2004.  This purchase was made in preparation of the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, mental health facility that will one day better accommodate the needs of our growing clientele and staff, and the community as a whole.   

In 2005, CMHA Lambton was granted an increase in annualized operating funding by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, enabling us to expand our service delivery in a number of key areas.  We expanded services in the areas of Case Management, Supportive Housing, and for the first time, were formally recognized and funded to provide Early Intervention in Psychosis Services.  We were also able to continue to build capacity in Crisis Response Services, and Psychiatry.  The Lambton County Mental Health Foundation, despite ever increasing competition for charitable giving, moved forward in annual fundraising and launched our first ever Capital Campaign. 

The Government of Ontario’s Health Transformation Agenda launched its “Local Health Integration Networks” (LHINs), a new model for health system planning, funding and accountability. 

The year 2006 saw us begin the “Moving Forward Together” Project, along with our partners CMHA Kent County Branch and CMHA Windsor/Essex County Branch.  Together we undertook planning to improve access, and increase the capacity of community mental health services, to individuals throughout the region. 
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Significant funding enhancements from the Government of Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care allowed us to expand services in key areas including: crisis response; case management; and early intervention in psychosis.  CMHA took over responsibility for Discharge Planning and Clinic Services previously operated by Bluewater Health.
           
As of August 2007, our dedicated staff - now totaling 52 - and volunteers provide quality supports and services to thousands of individuals throughout Sarnia Lambton, annually.  Our core clinical services remain funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and our Preventive Education Program is sustained through the generous support of the United Way, corporate and individual donations, fundraising initiatives and fee for service.  We continue to wait patiently for the construction of our new facility.