Lakeridge Health Launches New Bridging Clinic, Developed in Partnership with CAMH

(Oshawa, ON – September 22, 2026) - Mental health and addictions needs are growing across Durham Region. Lakeridge Health and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) are working together to help people access the right care, closer to home.

Lakeridge Health has launched a new Bridging Clinic, developed in partnership with CAMH, to support people after an Emergency Department (ED) visit and connect them with ongoing mental health and substance use services in the community.

Each year, Lakeridge Health provides more than 140,000 mental health and addictions visits through clinics and community-based services in addition to approximately 11,000 Emergency Department visits related to mental health and substance use.

The clinic is one of the first initiatives launched through the Lakeridge Health and CAMH partnership announced in 2025. It addresses a critical transition in care by providing short-term support following an ED visit while connecting people with longer-term services in the community.

“The future of health care is about breaking down barriers between organizations and services so people experience one connected system of care,” said Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “The Bridging Clinic shows what that future can look like. 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. This is One System. Best Health. in action.”

The Bridging Clinic brings together psychiatry, nursing, addictions care, social work, and peer support, with connections to primary care, housing, and other community services. Patients and clients can receive support for up to three months after leaving hospital, helping them stay connected to care as they transition to longer-term services.

For Ann, a Bridging Clinic patient, the services were there when she needed help most.

“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. 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.”

Through the partnership, CAMH shared expertise and lessons learned from its Bridging Clinic model, first launched in 2017. As home to one of Ontario's only standalone psychiatric emergency departments, CAMH has extensive experience supporting patients as they transition from hospital-based care to community services. CAMH will also support the evaluation of the Lakeridge Health clinic to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and potential expansion of the model.

“The Bridging Clinic shows what’s possible when we bring specialized expertise closer to the communities we serve,” said Sarah Downey, President and CEO, CAMH. “Our partnership with Lakeridge Health 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.” Philanthropy has been critical to bringing the Bridging Clinic to life. A generous $250,000 gift from Harry Lebovic and his daughter Rachel is helping expand access to timely mental health and addictions care for people across Durham Region.

“There is a critical period after someone leaves the Emergency Department when the right support can make all the difference,” said Dr. Kevin Chopra, Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director of Mental Health, Lakeridge Health. “The Bridging Clinic provides continuity during that transition, giving people timely access to specialized care while connecting them with the longer-term services and supports they need. It means people don’t have to navigate that next step in their care alone.”

Patients and clients can access the Bridging Clinic through a referral from their Lakeridge Health ED or care team, when clinically appropriate.

The Bridging Clinic is part of Lakeridge Health’s broader work with CAMH, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, as well as primary care and community partners, to create more connected, timely mental health and addictions care across Durham Region.

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, overdose, immediate safety concern, or thoughts of harming themselves or others should go to the nearest ED or call 911.

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About Lakeridge Health

Lakeridge Health is one of Ontario’s largest community health systems, serving Durham Region and beyond through five hospitals, a same-day surgical centre, a long-term care home and more than 30 community locations. Guided by its vision, One System. Best Health., Lakeridge Health provides a broad range of acute, ambulatory, community and specialized services, while advancing education, research and partnerships that connect care across the region. Learn more at lh.ca. 

About The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres in its field. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

For more information contact:

Lakeridge Health
Strategic Communications
Communications@lh.ca

CAMH
Public Affairs
Media@camh.ca