The Mental Health and Addictions Working Group (MHAWG) is a team of help seekers, family members, caregivers and service providers who are finding new ways to improve help-seeker outcomes and experiences. Simplifying and coordinating equitable access to high quality, evidence-based mental health and addiction services are key strategies in this effort.
Because the NOHT-ÉSON recognizes and values mental health and addiction services as an integral part of holistic health care, the MHAWG is committed to understanding the needs of Niagara residents by analyzing data, reviewing research evidence, and consulting with diverse community groups. Recommendations for change will be assessed, prioritized and implemented by the NOHT-ÉSON. Our members are currently developing a three-year plan for managing changes to the mental health and addictions system. This project includes creating a MHA scorecard designed to assess the challenges and successes we experience as we work collaboratively to change the system.
The working group is currently comprised of a vibrant mix of enthusiastic health and social services professionals from various sectors of the health and social care system.
Your input is both welcome and necessary. For further information or to express your interest in contributing your skills or experience to the work of the MHAWG contact Nadine Wallace (nadine@contactniagara.org).
Mental Health and Addictions Working Group Members
Nadine Wallace
Contact Niagara for Children’s and Developmental Services
Janet Pollock
Patient/Client/Family/Caregiver Representative
Leah Jeffery
Bethesda Services
Liz Froese
Bethesda Services
Thomas Coyne
Contact Niagara for Children’s and Developmental Services
Dr. Darija Vujosevic
Clinical Lead, NOHT-ÉSON
Scott Farraway
Brain Injury Community Re-entry (Niagara) Inc.
France Vaillancourt
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
Lise Corriveau
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
Dan Silver
Dan Silver Social Work Professional Corporation
Melissa Rossi
Family Counseling Centre of Niagara
Tammy Dumas
InCommunities
Aidan Johnson
Niagara Community Legal Clinic
Dee Tyler
Oak Centre
Talia Storm
Positive Living Niagara
Laura Dumas
Start Me Up Niagara
Elisabeth Zimmermann
YWCA Niagara Region
Sarah Pennisi
Brock University
Karen Csoli
Niagara College
Bianca Gagnon
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
Christopher Conley
Hamilton Health Sciences
Ryan Blodgett
Niagara Health
Barb Evans
Niagara Health
Dr. Victor Uwaifo
Niagara Health
Marco Giannico
Niagara Regional Police Service
Cathy Neil
Patient/Client/Family/Caregiver Representative
Sydney Garvin
Patient/Client/Family/Caregiver Representative
Louise Marie Lamarche
Patient/Client/Family/Caregiver Representative
Janice Rutgers
Community Addiction Services of Niagara
Heather Gillespie
Canadian Mental Health Association – Niagara Branch
Tara McKendrick
Canadian Mental Health Association – Niagara Branch
Stacy Terry
Distress Centre Niagara
Albert Calguiro
Wayside Transitional Home
Sabrina Piluso
NOHT-ÉSON
Carol Nagy
Hospice Niagara
Tyler English
Patient/Client/Family/Caregiver Representative
Laura Blundell
Niagara Falls Community Health Centre
Frank Ruberto
Niagara Medical Group Family Health Team
Nancy Garner
Quest Community Health Centre
Angela Alfieri-Maiolo
Niagara Region
Jennifer Julien
Niagara Region
Marty Mako
Niagara Emergency Medical Services
Lisa Panetta
Niagara Region
Margaret Penca
Niagara Region
Jeffrey Sinclair
Niagara Region
Rebekah Norman
Patient/Client/Family/Caregiver Representative
