CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services

Addiction Services and CMHA have changed my life. I can not recommend them both enough. I have been clean now for over 12 years and sober for 8 months. They have both given me a solid foundation to stand on. I am now very active in AA and in my community as a result of all of the programs I have completed. I look at myself and others through a new lens now. Thank you for changing my life.

Ive gone here on and off for a few years. Honestly it feels like it may be a little slow at first but if you have gone through a lot of trauma remember it takes time to feel and see any positive changes. Theyre literally one of the only reasons I recovered. Super refreshing to be heard, accepted and have people respect me the way I am. Validating to be encouraged on my own decision making without any predujice forced upon my lifestyle. Literally nothing bad to say. 100% have and will continue to recommend to everyone I know. Thank you for everything!ps: felt totally comfortable sharing during times of extreme instability and their level of patience is something you dont find often.

I had a very positive experience here. I was seen almost immediately by a very caring and attentive Nurse. She listened to me for over 3hrs and the staff's support extended past four. I never felt rushed and they all worked collectively to help me. They talked me down and provided me with tangible resources, as well as a care plan. They were also candid about the weaknesses in the system, and helped me to prepare for the unavoidable wait times that these programs have. Despite this, they assured me of certain resources to help me while I wait. I am thankful for this resource!

have literally helped me with everything from housing to stabalizing my mental health I really can't say anything negative about them as they have helped me so much

I am not an employee.I love this place. Yes there are persons looking for fix me now" and those looking for a free ride in life. Mental health is real and can not be fixed overnight.True there are persons who exploit the system and take away services from those who really need it.I have been using CMHA for seven years and wish I started twenty years earlier.The staff ( if given a chance) can help you

I worked there in 1958 when it was run by the Sisters of St. JosephIt It was fun by nuns, a home for children up to 14 years. Great experience

Vicki who works the front desk, is the reason why people who need help don’t get help. I have experienced 5 years of sobriety and nothing but a FIGHT with this women. If you don’t like the job, don’t do it. It’s simple. People come there for help, if you are failed, there’s a good chance in my opinion, Vicki is behind why you can’t manage to get through to anyone or get anything done. 5 years I have been sober and not one issue, except with her. It’s so SAD that people who judge those with a past work in the industry. That’s lethal to recovery. Those who work at these facilities should definitely not be judgemental or a road block. She’s both of those things. How sad

Powerful resource in most cities across the country. Not intended for emergency or medical purposes which is what most of these negative/uneducated reviews are based off. Thank you for providing for this city despite being so understaffed, underpaid, unappreciated and misunderstood. Those in the community with compassion, empathy, and an understanding of how mental illness effects EVERYONE appreciate you.

I took the time to read all the reviews that have been posted on here and it has compelled me to write my own thorough review, because I have utilized the services from CMHA-Middlesex for 3 or 4 years now and have really gotten to know the front-line workers, and I am not an employee lol. What I took away from these reviews was a mixture of truths, falsities, half-truths, and just pure slander, and a good deal of anger, sometimes no doubt justified. I am no expert and can only speak from my own experiences, and I certainly do not know the functional aspects of every element of this organization, but I do have a good deal to share.I have heard some reviews discuss the idea that more funding should go to the hospitals, but how would that help the situation? Doctors and nurses are paid well too I believe, and I have been to the hospital 4 or so times and it is not a place I choose to go unless I am feeling suicidal as I have seen little benefit of being there otherwise. I too struggle at times with the idea that staff are paid relatively well while working for a charity, but on the other hand, is it fair to ask them to deny a chance at a decent living in order to free up more money for programs? Not an easy debate. I am sure money could be utilized more efficiently in some ways, but I think that can be said about most charities, although for sure, once covid subsides, I would welcome seeing more recreational programs involving more doing and less talking.I have read people insult the intelligence of the staff here, and the quality of the programming. Mental illness is not a science, it is still very misunderstood and much is unknown about how the brain operates and why things can go so wrong with mental health. I have spent many years talking to well-educated psychiatrists as I have battled serious mental illness for now 27 years, and guess who has helped me more-no disrespect intended for the psychiatrists, as they are often needed, and I have one right now-but it has been the frontline mental health workers from CMHA who have helped me more, and even beyond that, the friends I have made through CMHA programs! The same goes with the Crisis Line: they are paid counselors, and no doubt help many, but I often receive far more help from the support line and their volunteers. My point is that this focus on educational levels in regards to degrees from this or that school in a field like this is over-rated, and I often have been helped more by people without initials after their names.As for the quality of the programming, it is tough to attack its intellectual criteria as inadequate when you consider that the programming has to be made suitable for all kinds of people with both much and little formal education, including some who make these groups while struggling just to get through the day. I am no genius, but mental health at a grassroots level is often not rocket science, so I see little need to get overly technical and intellectual at many of these groups when most who attend are looking for the community vibes and support, and motivation to keep working on their mental health; no doubt there are great books out there for ones who need more intellectual stimulation. When you read enough and attend enough groups, you do start running into similar material, it is inevitable.It was a bit challenging to see so many reviews bashing an organization that I know has many wonderful people working for it. Do I think it is perfect? Definitely not. Beyond what I have already mentioned, I don't feel there is enough practical help available, and I think too much emphasis is put on helping ourselves, when I know deeply that there are days I simply need help to keep it together, sometimes much help, with cleaning, dishes, preparing meals, but the funding is simply not there. I heard it mentioned that CMHA Middlesex lacks the resources other CMHA affiliates have, but I have also heard the opposite as well. One of the reasons I don't bother to read reviews much anymore is because they so often lack balance.