Abstract
Background: In response to the escalating substance use crisis in Guelph-Wellington, the Guelph Community Health Centre (Guelph CHC) supported by many core partners through the Guelph-Wellington Ontario Health Team (GW OHT) developed the Substance Use Health Hub (SUHH) to provide comprehensive, wraparound care to individuals with complex, high acuity needs. This population frequently interacts with costly systems such as hospitals and correctional institutions but does not receive adequate support through traditional healthcare services. The SUHH aims to bridge this gap by offering non-stigmatizing, interdisciplinary care tailored to the unique needs of individuals who use drugs, are experiencing homelessness, and have co-occurring physical and mental health challenges. A key element of the SUHH is the active involvement of peers and people with lived and living experience (PWLLE), ensuring that services are both relevant and responsive to the community needs. PWLLE are integrated into the project as peer workers, support coordinators, and a dedicated Peer Lead who provides mentorship and support to enhance the program effectiveness and inclusivity.
Audience: This session is designed for healthcare professionals, policymakers, community organization leaders, and researchers interested in integrated care models for substance use and mental health, with a particular focus on the involvement of PWLLE in program design and delivery.
Approach: The 60-minute workshop will be structured as follows:- Introduction and presentation (20 min): Overview of the substance use crisis in Guelph-Wellington and history of how our project began, including the role of building relationships with core partners. We will also share a detailed explanation of our methodology for segmenting the population to help clarify the SUHH model, including best practices, evidence-based approaches, and co-designing services with PWLLE.- Case Studies (0 min): Presentation of different case studies and contexts to illustrate the SUHH's impact, highlighting the contributions of PWLLE.- Group Work (5 min): Interactive session where participants will work in groups to discuss and propose solutions to different scenarios based on real-life challenges faced, incorporating the elements shared in our presentation.- Feedback (0 min): Group presentations and feedback session to share insights and strategies with the larger group.- Closing (5 min): Summary of key takeaways and closing remarks.
Outcomes: Participants will leave with a clear understanding of:- The critical need for integrated, wraparound care models in addressing substance use and mental health crises.- Practical insights into the structure and implementation of the SUHH.- Strategies for applying similar models in their own communities to improve care for individuals with complex health and social needs.- The importance and benefits of involving PWLLE in the design, implementation, and evaluation of substance use health programs and practical ways of doing this.- Enhanced awareness of how PWLLE contribute to creating a supportive and effective care environment.