KAWARTHA LAKES-The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) announced the launch of a new Mobile Wellness Clinic, ‘The Road Ahead,’ this morning in Lakefield.

“The Road Ahead” Mobile Wellness Clinic operates out of two vehicles and supports individuals who may have difficulty accessing services by bringing a full range of mental health and addiction supports to rural and remote areas across Peterborough County, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. The program provides counselling and therapy, support with addictions and substance use, mental health education, medication support, and access to other services such as psychiatry.
“We know that the ability to connect to care, close to home impacts patients’ success rates, particularly when it concerns mental health and addictions. That’s why these Mobile Wellness Clinics are so vital. They help those on a path to wellness connect with the programs they need, where and when they need them,” says Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

It was determined that to serve the rural communities across the region, the clinic requires two vehicles. One vehicle was funded through the support of the Government of Ontario.
For the past year, CMHA HKPR fundraised $300K to purchase the second clinic vehicle.
“We are thrilled to announce that thanks to the support of many donors including the Kinsmen Club, Peterborough Police Services, and Bell Canada, we have purchased the second vehicle,” says Mark Graham, Chief Executive Officer, CMHA HKPR.
Both vehicles have been designed to meet the specific needs of the clinic and thanks to support of local marketing company, Outpost 379, the vehicles have also been branded with a creative and inspiring design. The design was chosen to be welcoming and positive and isn’t specific to mental health or addictions, taking into consideration the stigmas that still surround mental health and addictions and the barriers that they may cause.