The Huron County Community Safety and Well-Being Plan launched the first of its four planned campaigns on January 19.
The first campaign is focused on mental health and addictions. Rodney Phillips, Manager of Outpatient Mental Health with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, says the plan is part of a change to the Ontario Police Service Act, which calls on municipalities to develop and adapt plans that address root issues of crime and complex issues.
"So really that's looking at how can our police partners come together with our municipalities and different organizations. So, mine in particular, that supports mental health. We're a big part of creating different prevention or risk prevention plans or campaigns as part of this Community Safety and Well-Being Plan," Phillips shared.
Phillips says this first campaign includes getting some messages out to the community on the subject.
"The messages are really focused around limiting isolation around for those that might be struggling with mental health or addictions concerns. Also increasing awareness on what sort of supports are out there. So we really wanted to talk about 5 key phone numbers in our community that people can reach out to to get support," said Phillips.
Among those resources being highlighted are the 988 National Suicide Line and the local 211 service.
"In addition to that we wanted to highlight the CMHA Huron-Perth for Addictions and Mental Health Services phone number (1-888-261-9350), as well as our own Huron-Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team (1-888-829-7484), and the Huron-Perth Centre for Children and Youth (519-482-3931). So we wanted to capitalize on this opportunity to highlight those numbers and get them out to the public," Phillips explained.
Phillips says the other three campaigns to come will tackle other issues.
"Housing and homelessness. So that one, as we've launched this campaign, we'll be preparing for that one. The next one after that is looking at domestic violence awareness and prevention. The fourth one is really focused on community safety, and pulling in our policing partners for that one. The release dates for those are coming soon," Phillips noted.
The numbers and resources for mental health resources in the first campaign, as well as information on the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and the other campaigns, will soon be available on CSWBHuron.ca.
