Manitobans waiting for province’s intake program for those dealing with mental health and addiction issues
Posted January 5, 2026 7:26 pm.
Last Updated January 5, 2026 7:37 pm.
Some working to support those dealing with mental health and addiction issues are eagerly awaiting the province’s new “one-stop shop” intake program for those seeking help, saying access has been a long-standing issue that has cost lives in Manitoba.
“It’s really important that they get the information out there as soon as possible, right? Because somebody dies every single day here in Manitoba,” said Arlene Last-Kolb, Member of Moms Stop the Harm. “People have died because of the lack of help.”
Manitoba Mental Health and Addictions Connect will bring a new self-referral web portal and a provincial toll-free phone number that Manitobans can use to request intake for mental health and addictions services.
Last-Kolb lost her son to an overdose in 2014. She says the new model is positive, as it aims to standardize the intake process, as opposed to having people being asked to complete intakes and assessments at several agencies before being matched to an appropriate service.
“Too many people like myself, like my family in this area, have lost loved ones because they did not have access, because they didn’t have the help,” said Last-Kolb.
The Lighthouse Mission on Main Street is set to bring 10 detox beds online in 2026 and leadership says combining intake into one, centralised steam will help.
“Addictions are rampant in Downtown Winnipeg,” said Peter McMullen, the executive director of Lighthouse Mission.
“We have a lot of folks who are struggling with both. In mental health issues, they’re struggling with addiction, and it’s tough to separate the two. So, having access to this quickly, so we can help people more quickly, more efficiently, is really, really important.”
In a statement, Shared Health said the rollout of Manitoba MHA Connect is a multi-year project starting with programming for youth under 18, expanding to adults as the year goes on, and is aimed at reducing service redirection, establishing clearer pathways, and improving Manitobans experiences as they seek help for their mental health and addiction concerns.
“With the launch of MB MHA Connect, Manitobans now have one access point to community-based mental health and addictions services, with several modes of access (e.g., primary health care provider, service providers, telephone line, web-based portal – coming in 2026, etc.). Manitobans seeking help will now have a standardized experience, regardless of where they live, as they get connected to the most appropriate mental health and/or addictions service,” read the statement.
Before adding, “Several engagements were completed, and communications were distributed, prior to the launch of MB MHA Connect in late November 2025, and as each phase is opened to community referrals, communications will be released to notify said communities about the changes and how to access the new service. Shared Health and the Regional Health Authorities continue to meet with system partners to raise awareness for MB MHA Connect, including how to use the service to best support their patients/clients.”
However, the opposition PCs say if a program that will save lives is planned, they should be rolled out at one time, not in pieces.
“This government seems to be wanting to make announcements, but there’s no backup behind it,” said Jeff Bereza, the PC MLA for Portage la Prairie and housing and additions critic.
Pointing to the 72-hour detention centre and supervised consumption site, Bereza says there’s a pattern when it comes to the NDP’s partial plans.
“People of Winnipeg are losing confidence in this government, because everything seems to be hidden. Everything seems to be handed out in bits and pieces.”
