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A new community-wide plan is moving forward to improve mental health and addiction supports across Haldimand, Norfolk, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
The Lighthouse Community Strategy, led by Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH), brings together more than 20 partner organizations. Madison Burnett a health promoter with GEPH explains the goal of the strategy and it’s key pillars.
After launching in late 2024, the group developed 26 recommendations. Eleven of those are now being prioritized in the first phase, including expanding access to naloxone, improving withdrawal management services, and strengthening collaboration between police and mental health supports.
Burnett says prevention is also a major focus, especially for youth in the community.
The strategy was directly shaped with an advisory committee.
Burnett adds that this perspective helps identify gaps, barriers, and opportunities that may not be visible from a service provider’s point of view. She says lived experience helps ground the strategy in reality and improves its relevance and effectiveness for the community.
Early feedback from community partners and the public has been positive.
While changes will take time, Burnett says the long-term goal is better coordination between services, for better individual outcomes.
The Lighthouse Community Strategy Report is available at the GEPH website: https://geph.ca/lcs/
Written by Jeremy Hall
