Partners & Funders
The Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre leads the initiative with partners like Somerset West Community Health Centre, Jewish Family Services, South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre, Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, and Ontario Health East (formerly Champlain Local Health Integration Network).
Goals and Collaboration Approach
Started in August 2018, the program aims to provide mental health services to newcomers. Integrated Mental Health Services has a team of cultural psychiatrists who care for refugees and immigrants in Ottawa and nearby areas.
Activities
Since August 2018, Integrated Mental Health Services has provided comprehensive mental health services. The team of psychotherapists offers culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care. This includes individual, couple, family, and group counselling. Mental health navigators help with practical support, system navigation, and advocacy. Counselling is available in many languages through interpretation by Ottawa Language Access and other services. Integrated Mental Health Services supports those facing isolation, unemployment, and cultural disconnection. They offer social-emotional support and help clients build resilience and recover.
Link to the Ottawa Immigration Strategy
Integrated Mental Health Services aims to offer complete mental health support focusing on trauma-informed care. This matches priorities one and two of the Health and Wellbeing sector table. Priority 1 is improving access to health services, including preventive and dental care. Priority two focuses on mental health care, including preventive services and trauma counselling. Integrated Mental Health Services supports newcomers’ overall health and well-being as they integrate into their new community.
Timelines and Milestones
The Integrated Mental Health Services program needs to expand to meet the growing demand. The Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre, Jewish Family Services, and other partners are working together to increase funding and services. This will help support the settlement and integration of newcomers. Ongoing funding is needed to maintain and grow services. More funds are crucial to manage the waitlist and keep up with demand.
Impact Areas and Client Outcomes
Integrated Mental Health Services has made a big difference for refugees and immigrants in Ottawa. In the fiscal year 2020-21, 133 unique clients received counselling, with 2,491 sessions provided. In 2021-22, 185 unique clients received 2,454 sessions. Integrated Mental Health Services served 65 unique clients in 2020-21 with 898 sessions. In 2021-22, this grew to 128 clients and 1,816 sessions. Over both years, the Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre and Jewish Family Services helped 363 unique clients with 836 navigation sessions.In 2023-2024, unique clients received mental health counselling services, resulting in over 2720 sessions.
Conclusion
Integrated Mental Health Services is crucial for supporting the mental health of refugees and newcomers in Ottawa. It provides culturally responsive care and addresses trauma effectively. The program needs to expand and secure ongoing funding to keep up with demand and provide timely support.
