CMHA Peel Dufferin Mobile Health Clinic powered by TELUS Health is now in the community

Today the CMHA Peel Dufferin Mobile Health Clinic powered by TELUS Health was launched.  This specially-equipped clinic on wheels will provide essential primary medical care, mental health care and addiction supports directly to underserved citizens in Peel Region including Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.  Doctors of the World Canada provided the Mobile Health Clinic and TELUS Health revamped it and is covering the operating costs for three years.

The Mobile Health Clinic will provide a unique one-stop experience where a person can receive support for substance use, mental health and physical health, and have discussions regarding housing needs all in the same space.  The initial locations it will stop will be Wilkinson Road Shelter, Compass Food Bank, Downtown Brampton, Cawthra Road Shelter and the Mississauga Central Library.

Staff on the Mobile Health Clinic will include a Registered Nurse, an Outreach Worker, a Worker Specializing in Substance Use and will be supported by a Nursing Practitioner.  Staff will have access to dedicated equipment found in a standard doctor’s office including items like blood pressure cuffs, an examination table, first aid materials and wound and foot care.

“According to a recent study, on any given night in Peel Region, 922 people are homeless and many also have addictions or mental health needs. In fact, 55 per cent of those who are homeless in this study also identify as having mental health issues and 31 per cent as having addictions,” said David Smith, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin. “Bringing the Mobile Health Clinic, powered by TELUS Health to Peel Region is great news not only for those unable to receive primary care, mental health care or addictions care due to access barriers, but also for those hesitant to seek out mainstream services due to stigma. Now these ‘at-risk’ members of the community will have access to the healthcare they need via the Mobile Health Clinic at one of the daily clinic sites throughout Peel.”

“At TELUS, the core of our passionate social purpose is our commitment to enabling better outcomes for our fellow Canadians,” says Jill Schnarr, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship at TELUS. “We believe that everyone should have access to healthcare when and where they need it regardless of their socio-economic status, which is why we have committed $10 million to expand our TELUS Health for Good program to communities across Canada over the next five years. We are proud and excited to provide these much needed services to Peel Region alongside our dedicated partner, CMHA Peel Dufferin Branch.”

The Mobile Health Vehicle powered by TELUS Health will help address the needs of community members and will provide hope.  And hope is what fuels the Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin in its mission to provide mental health for all.