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July 11, 2025

One Link Mental Health Services Marks a Decade Of Impact

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July, 11 2025 (Halton Region, On) - Halton Healthcare is proud to highlight a decade of success in its mental health and addiction referral program, one-Link. Created to address the growing need for accessible mental health and addiction support, one-link allows individuals in the Mississauga-Halton region seeking mental health and addiction support to self-refer or be referred by a physician to a wide range of out-patient services.

Since its inception, one-Link has helped over 150,000 individuals access the mental health and addiction services they need, making a significant impact on the well-being of the Halton and Mississauga communities. This has led to better patient outcomes, experiences, and ensuring those who require these services receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

While initially designed as a gateway to care for adults in the Mississauga-Halton region, oneLink has expanded to seamlessly connect children and adolescents to the services they need. The model continues to grow in response to the community’s needs, also supporting primary care providers through system navigation, service recommendations, learning opportunities, and primary care education events.

“The one-Link team have been pioneers in the realm of coordinated access and navigation for mental health and addictions care in our region,” said Dr. Sammy Barakat, Chief of Psychiatry Program Medical Director, Mental Health and Addictions Program at Halton Healthcare. “They have maintained a focus on improving the patient experience and now serve as a model of choice looked to by leaders as coordinated access is set to expand across the province. It has been my personal pleasure and the pleasure of our Mental Health and Addictions program to support and collaborate with such a cohesive and forward-thinking team."

The one-Link team includes dedicated Service Coordinators responsible for clinical triage, screening, and service navigation, along with Peer Mentors who are specially trained professionals with lived experience in mental health and addictions. The Peer Mentor team plays a critical role in providing connection and hope while offering waitlist support, bridging the gap between coordination and the start of care. In recognition of its excellence, one-Link was honored with the Partnering for a Healthy Community Award – Pinnacle Award by the Mississauga-Halton LHIN in 2018.

Through one-Link, individuals gain access to services from trusted local partners such as:

  • Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch (CMHA HRB)
  • CarePoint Health – Ontario Structured Psychotherapy
  • Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention & Treatment Services (ADAPT)
  • Halton Healthcare
  • Hope Place Centres
  • Peel Addiction Assessment and Referral Centre (PAARC)
  • STRIDE
  • Summit Housing
  • Support House
  • Trillium Health Partners

"One-Link is an achievement that belongs to everyone who has contributed to making coordinated access a success—our dedicated team, community partners, and, most importantly, the individuals and families who have benefited from our services. Over the past 10 years, we have demonstrated that collaboration leads to better mental health and addiction outcomes. As we look to the future, we remain committed to innovation, inclusivity, and ensuring that everyone can access the support they need when they need it." — Michelle Edwards, team lead at one-Link.

When asked about their experience, a one-Link client said, “Thank you for giving me hope.”