A mental health helpline, swamped by calls when it initially opened up on April 1, has received additional funding to help it cope with calls.
The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network boosted its contribution to the “Here 24/7” hotline by $950,000.
The helpline, operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin (CMHA WWD), was inundated with calls when it started operations and saw callers hanging up when they could not reach an operator. The purpose of the helpline is to direct callers to proper services they may require when suffering from mental health concerns.
“Calls to Here 24/7 have exceeded expectations by more than 75 per cent,” a News release on the LHIN funding stated. “While more than 7,800 residents have been helped since April, there are still others who hung-up before receiving help. The additional funding will reduce the wait time for callers, reduce the number of callers who hang-up before being helped, and reduce wait times for residents needing a formal assessment for addiction and mental health needs.”
The money will go toward hiring more staff to answer calls coming into the helpline, the first of its kind in Ontario.
Residents can access the helpline by calling 1-844-437-3247 or by visiting www.here247.ca.
The LHIN board will receive an update, in three months, on the program’s success.
