CORNWALL – While we hear about the struggles people face in the throes of an addiction or a mental health crisis, the family and loved ones are often less of the focus.
But the Change Foundation is hoping to rectify that with the introduction of Embrace, a Changing CARE program at the Community Addiction and Mental Health Center.
The program, launched Wednesday afternoon at the McConnell Avenue building, is meant to help caregivers navigate and speak with the various agencies treating a loved one with addiction during their recovery or their mental health treatment.
It will focus on four main areas with caregivers and family: communication, assessment, recognition and education.
The Change Foundation, which bills itself an independent health policy think-tank, has also put money where its mouth is – $9 million over the next three years to sponsor four community partnerships.
The $9 million will cover the programs in Cornwall, London, Huron and Perth counties and Toronto.
“The Embrace Project aligns perfectly with our strategic direction of “Patient Inspired Care” and our vision of “Exceptional Care. Always.”. We look forward to seeing the progress of this project as well as its positive impact on the community we serve,” said CEO Jeanette Despatie.
The Change Foundation was created in 1995 through an endowment from the Ontario Hospital Association.