Mental Health Resources for Health Care Professionals
Mental Health IS Health
Self-rated mental health in Lambton County has been declining since 2017. Family doctors and health clinics are the most often reported source for accessing mental health resources and supports. Offering guidance on staying mentally healthy and referrals to non-judgmental supports for patients in need of additional mental health services can improve their health.
Mental Health Promotion
Mental health is a state of positive well-being that considers all aspects of a person’s life, not just whether they have a mental illness. Health care professionals can help to promote optimal mental health and well-being through their practice by educating people about their mental health and encouraging people to access appropriate support and resources.
Social Prescribing- A Resource for Health Care Professionals (Centre for Effective Practice)
Social prescribing is one way that health care providers can encourage individuals to care for other aspects of their health.
Nature prescriptions are one example of social prescribing, focused on the many positive health effects gained from spending time in nature. PaRx is Canada’s national, evidence-based nature prescription program and suggests that written prescriptions are better received than oral advice in motivating patients to make a change.
Minds Connected
Promote a psychologically healthy and safe workplace with evidence-based activities.
Effective Practice for Mental Health in Patients
Health care professionals can learn about supporting individuals with common mental health illnesses through the clinical tools developed by the Centre for Effective Practice:
• Youth Mental Health: Anxiety and Depression
• Adult Mental Health: Keeping Your Patients Safe – A Guide to Primary Care Management of Mental Health, Addiction-Related Risks, and Functional Impairment.
• Anxiety and Depression
Connecting to Additional Services
There are many types of services available to support people with mental illnesses in the community.
Age-Friendly Sarnia Lambton
A list of local mental health and substance use resources which can be accessed online or with the support of a Community Navigator by calling 519-336-3000.
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy
Offers free cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and related services for depression and anxiety-related issues. This approach is evidence-based and includes both self-led (e.g., Bounce Back program) and individual or group CBT.
Health care professionals who are part of an integrated service delivery model may have access to support such as psychotherapists, social workers, or other services within their organization and can support with assessments and referrals.