People in Durham Region who leave the hospital after a mental health or substance-related emergency now have a dedicated place to turn. Lakeridge Health launched its new Bridging Clinic on Monday, developed in partnership with Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), to connect patients with ongoing community care after an Emergency Department visit.
The clinic offers short-term support for up to three months after someone leaves hospital, bridging the gap between emergency care and longer-term community services. According to a Lakeridge Health news release, the organization handles roughly 11,000 Emergency Department visits each year related to mental health and substance use, along with more than 140,000 mental health and addictions visits through clinics and community-based services.
Patients are referred to the clinic by their Lakeridge Health Emergency Department or care team when it is clinically appropriate. The team brings together psychiatry, nursing, addictions care, social work and peer support, with connections to primary care, housing and other community services.
A model built on CAMH experience
The clinic is one of the first projects to come out of the Lakeridge Health and CAMH partnership announced in 2025. CAMH, which runs one of Ontario's only standalone psychiatric emergency departments, shared expertise from a Bridging Clinic model it first launched in 2017. CAMH will also help evaluate the new clinic to find opportunities for improvement and possible expansion.
"The future of health care is about breaking down barriers between organizations and services so people experience one connected system of care," Cynthia Davis, president and CEO of Lakeridge Health, said in the release. "By bringing CAMH's world-leading mental health expertise together with Lakeridge Health's clinical teams and strong community partnerships, we are building a model that meets people where they are, connects them to the care they need and creates a stronger continuum of mental health and addictions care across Durham Region."
CAMH president and CEO Sarah Downey said the partnership is building local capacity and creating more connected, sustainable care. "Together, we're putting leading practices into action for people in Durham Region, with the potential to inform care across Ontario," she said in the release.
"This clinic changed my life"
One patient, identified only as Ann, described arriving at the Emergency Department in crisis. "I was in a very dark place. I ended up in the Emergency Department with severe depression, no hope, and I didn't know where to turn," she said in the release. "The team helped me learn how to cope, start to thrive, and live my life again. I'm so grateful. This clinic changed my life."
Dr. Kevin Chopra, Lakeridge Health's chief of psychiatry and medical director of mental health, said the days after an emergency visit are a critical window. "There is a critical period after someone leaves the Emergency Department when the right support can make all the difference," he said in the release. "It means people don't have to navigate that next step in their care alone."
Philanthropy helped launch the clinic, including a $250,000 gift from Harry Lebovic and his daughter Rachel to expand timely access to mental health and addictions care across Durham Region.
Lakeridge Health, which operates five hospitals and more than 30 community locations across Durham Region, said the clinic is part of broader work with CAMH, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, primary care and community partners. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, overdose, immediate safety concern or thoughts of harm should go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911.
