Due to the serious and growing concern of COVID-19, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Mid-Island Branch is modifying many of its programs and services to help mitigate any potential spread of infection in our community. First and foremost, our goal is to protect the health of staff and participants while still supporting social connections.
It’s essential to remain a strong community and rethink how we can offer support to ensure the health and well-being of our participants, staff, volunteers and supporters. Everything we stand for is about connecting people to community. The circumstances we are facing will not stop us from doing that, but it will change the way we do things for now. Based on the latest information received from the BC Ministry of Health and Government of Canada, CMHA Mid-Island is taking the following steps to continue its most critical programs, effective immediately until further notice:
As of March 18, 2020
Social Centre:
- The Social Centre will close indefinitely as of Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
- We are exploring other means of staying connected to participants through this time.
Peppermill (Courtenay)
- Closed until further notice
Employment Support
- All employment support services will be delivered by telephone or online means.
Housing
- Housing support remains unchanged at this time.
- We are discouraging visitors unless they are providing assistance and are asking health screen questions before entering.
-Focus on supporting those with underlying health challenges who have chosen to self-isolate.
Overdose Prevention
- Site hours and service remain unchanged - 7 days a week 10:30 am - Midnight
- Limiting the number of clients in the space to those who are using substances or being observed post use.
Homelessness Outreach
- Service hours remain unchanged. Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm.
- We are limiting transport where possible.
- We will continue to visit encampments and support people to have their basic needs met.
We intend to operate Housing, Overdose Prevention and Homelessness Outreach throughout. We will communicate any modifications or changes as the scenario progresses.
PS: We are also asking for everyone who can to reach out and connect with a few people they know but haven’t spoken with, particularly those who live alone, or have health conditions. There is no risk in phone calls, emails or texts… and we need to keep our community connected.
