There are two mental health initiatives we want to bring to your attention:

 1.     In Your Corner: A support system for your patients addressing substance use

Your patients who live with substance use may find getting care difficult and overwhelming. While many support services exist, it can be unclear how and when to best access them. The In Your Corner program offers one number to call, 24/7 to help your patients access the support they need, whether this is navigation, case management or advocacy. The line is open to anyone who lives or receives care in downtown Toronto west and is experiencing mental health challenges and substance use. As the health care provider, you can also access help for any of your patients facing these challenges.

Click here to read an overview of this 24/7 navigation phone line.

2.     Ontario College of Family Physicians:  Practicing Well: The  Peer-to-Peer Connect ProgramMental Health: There are two initiatives we want to bring to your attention:

 Practising Well is here to help. Connect with your fellow family doctors to share information on how to support patients with mental health, substance use and chronic pain.
As a family doctor, you need access to information, knowledge and experts to support you in providing the best care possible for your patients with their mental health, substance use disorders and chronic pain. Practising Well is here to provide that support, offering flexible educational opportunities through monthly virtual discussions, an easy-to-navigate repository of clinical tools and resources and other educational programs and connections with other family physicians to share experiences and best practices.

Peer to Peer Connect: Connect with another family physician in a one-on-one or small group setting to share experiences and best practices.

Sometimes, family doctors want to have a more detailed conversation with a trusted colleague to help them with very specific learning objectives. Through one-to-one or in a small group, you can explore clinical complexity and increase your confidence caring for patients with mental health challenges, substance use, and chronic pain. A focus can be on your well-being as you engage in this challenging work.

If you’re looking for educational support in these areas, or interested in supporting others, click here or contact OCFP at practisingwell@ocfp.on.ca.

This program is meant to support patient management whereas the IN YOUR CORNER program is specific for patients in need of navigation/case management support to help them with substance use.