Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Photo of the day
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) will ‘shine green’ this week in support of mental health and reducing wait times for services as a participant in the Shine Green for Mental Health Week (May 1-7) campaign.
For several years, iconic Ontario landmarks such as the CN Tower, Niagara Falls and the Peace Bridge have been lit green during Mental Health Week to raise awareness for this important initiative. CKHA’s Chatham Campus will join the list of landmarks, organizations and buildings across Ontario that will be illuminated green throughout the week.
“I am proud to recognize our Mental Health and Addictions inter-disciplinary team for the compassionate, high quality care they deliver to our patients and their families,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO. “CKHA’s green ‘shine’ will provide an important reminder to the community and initiate conversations among our family, friends and neighbours about the importance of access to these services.”
Launched by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario and Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), Shine Green for Mental Health Week is a simple way for organizations and individuals to remind the community that we must make mental health a priority and reduce wait times for services. Individuals can also participate in the week by taking pictures near landmarks illuminated green throughout the province or by wearing the colour green and sharing their photos on social media using the hashtags #GETLOUD and #kidscantwait.
CKHA’s Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) and partner organization Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent (CMHA LK), have championed reduced wait times for mental health services in the community through an integrated mental health and addictions service. This integration provides a seamless continuum of care that has improved access and wait times for individuals requiring mental health services from either organization. MHAP delivers best practice clinical mental health and addictions services built on a strong education and research based model.
“Reducing wait times for mental health services is key to improving early detection and intervention for individuals requiring mental healthcare in our community,” said Paula Reaume-Zimmer, Integrated Vice President, Mental Health and Addictions Services CKHA, CMHA Lambton-Kent and Bluewater Health. “The earlier we can initiate treatment, the more likely it is that we can reduce the need for ongoing mental health intervention. We are committed to working within a shared care model and improving our communities’ overall mental health.”
To learn more about CKHA’s Mental Health & Addictions Program, please visit:
www.ckha.on.ca/mentalhealth.
For more information on Shine Green for Mental Health Week, visit: www.greenformentalhealth.ca
Free Prescription Medications for Children and Youth Through OHIP+
As part of the 2017 Budget, Ontario is giving children and youth a better start in life by moving to make prescription medications free.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was joined last week by Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, at the Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre in Toronto to announce the new OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare Program.
Beginning January 1, 2018, all children and youth 24 years of age or younger will be able to get their prescription medications for free by simply showing their Ontario health card number and a prescription. Coverage will be automatic, with no upfront costs.
The government says the proposed new program will improve access to prescription medications for more than four million children and young people, and will help many families to afford the medications their children need to stay healthy.
Beyond the most common prescriptions, OHIP+ will give young people access to more than 4,400 drugs reimbursed under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, including medications listed under the Exceptional Access Program, at no cost.
These include drugs to treat cancer and rare diseases.
Government officials say Ontario’s drug funding program is already one of the country’s most generous, helping to pay for needed prescription medications for seniors, people with high drug costs, and other vulnerable populations. Ontario is investing $465 million to expand coverage through OHIP+.
Some more details provided by the Ontario Liberlas:
– Once this program is implemented, Ontario will be the first province to provide universal prescription medication coverage for children and youth 24 and under.
– To ensure a smooth transition to public drug coverage, the province will work with Ontario Works administrators, the federal government and Indigenous leaders.
– Ontario will also work with representatives from the private insurance industry to ensure that any savings are passed on to employees and employers.
– Prescription medications will be covered if they are listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary or if they are funded through the Exceptional Access Program formulary and requested by a doctor.
– Ontario is investing an additional $7 billion in health care over the next three years. With these new investments, growth in health spending will now average 3.3 per cent over the medium term.
Car show participants wanted in Port Lambton
The Sombra Twp. Optimist Club is looking for vendors to participate in their annual Car Show at Brander Park in Port Lambton Ontario on Saturday, June 17.
Anyone interested can contact Optimist Janet at 519-677-5954.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Weather forecast for Monday, May 1, 2017
Today – A few showers ending late this morning then a mix of sun and cloud with 60 percent chance of showers. Risk of a thunderstorm this morning. Wind becoming southwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 late this morning. High 18 with temperature falling to 12 this afternoon. UV index 5 or moderate.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Wind southwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 diminishing to 20 this evening. Low 7.
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