About Us

At WOTCH, our goal is to maximize an individual's capability for independence and success within his or her environment of choice.

The above informative video outlines so clearly the urgent needs that our clients with mental illness are experiencing: needs such as homelessness, insufficient / inadequate housing options, long wait times for services, insufficient staffing resources, etc. (Adobe Flash Player required to view video)

Our philosophy

WOTCH began in 1970 when a small group of staff from the former London Psychiatric Hospital (led by Dr. Harold Mountain), along with a group of family members, had a different vision for what worked for people with mental illness. Their vision was based on the premise that people are people first, not patients. They wanted to create a residential alternative based on a model of therapeutic community. Staff and families, through a letter-writing and media campaign, exerted enough political pressure to get the initial funding for WOTCH. The result was the first community residential program in London, for persons living with mental illness.

In 1978, Piccadilly residence was added, followed by the purchase of several other homes. During the first decade, in addition to therapeutic community and housing, WOTCH developed case management and vocational programs in response to the changing requirements of the mental health system. The late 1980s saw an explosion in the housing arena as WOTCH began purchasing homes to provide permanent residences in addition to rehabilitation and supportive housing.

In the spring of 1987, the Ministry of Health asked WOTCH to start a psycho-social rehabilitation program for residents of a Homes for Special Care facility in Exeter, Ontario. By September of that year, WOTCH North opened its doors to that community.

More recently, the focus has been on caring for persons with mental illness who are homeless. WOTCH has responded with new housing initiatives, including Congregate House and partnerships with local property owners and other service providers. A second recent initiative is an on-site clinical team that provides treatment services to WOTCH clients in conjunction with community services, family physicians and other psychiatric professionals. In 2006, WOTCH expanded its scope yet again with the establishment of a Family Support Program and the merger of the former Women's Mental Health Resources, which includes responsibilities for the homeless and at-risk women served by My Sisters' Place, with WOTCH.

WOTCH is a registered not-for-profit corporation as well as a registered charitable organization funded predominantly by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the South West Local Health Integrated Network. WOTCH programs and services are governed by an independent Board of Trustees.

WOTCH is committed to on-going service evaluations and evidenced-based best practices and has received a 2nd 3-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Treatment and Rehabilitation Housing Facilities, the Community Integration Program and its buisness practices. WOTCH has also received a 3 year accreditation with report award with Accreditation Canada.

WOTCH Milestones:

1968 - 1969      Client count – no records      Staff complement – 5
Dr. Hal Mountain, along with four London Psychiatric Hospital staff, adapted the ideals of Therapeutic Community (Maxwell Jones of Scotland pioneered this democratic treatment process.  Hospital based staff wore no uniforms, and patients led the groups.  When Dr. Mountain found goals couldn’t be fully accomplished in the hospital, the team gave up their jobs to help some patients gain housing and group support outside the facility.  The program was first located on Maple Street.  Western Ontario Therapeutic Community Hostel was incorporated June 1, 1970 with a Board of Trustees who effectively lobbied the government for a grant to start an independent program.  WOTCH became one of the first permanently funded community base mental health programs in Ontario.
1970 – 1980      Client count – approximately 100 – 120     Staff complement – approximately 17
WOTCH moved into 37 Ridout Street.  This facility combined groups, social and initially some living accommodations for a few clients.  In this initial period of development, WOTCH worked with many dissatisfied, or distressed groups and offered family, art, and assertiveness therapy (emphasis on some “specialists” although slowly promoting the group as the main therapist.  Specialty groups included: women, men, adolescent, parents and sexuality groups.  John Murch was the Executive  Director, Wally Parsons and Gerda Marsh were program directors  and all worked together out of a small office. 
1981 – 1983      Client count – approximately 160     Staff complement – 29
Bill Cline was the Executive Director in 1981 and WOTCH expanded with acquisition of two houses – Piccadilly and Craig Street (housing 15 clients).  These group homes were considered to be the first residences of this type in Ontario.  The group homes were activity-oriented and focused on practicing daily living skills through a rehabilitation process.  In 1983 WOTCH proposed the establishment of a 24-hour high support home to re-integrate patients into the community.
1983 – 1989      Client count – approximately 460      Staff complement – 50
The opening of Wortley Road was the start of the WOTCH housing decade.  By 1989 two more group homes were added, and nine permanent or long-term semi-detached houses were offered in addition.  Also in 1989, a major shift occurred with the introduction of case management for the seriously mentally ill (using psycho-social rehab).  Another addition was the introduction of employment and education programs, complementing the Introductory, Morning and Day programs.  The WOTCH Activity Learning Centre (WALC) opened in 1986, and in 1987 WOTCH North Program in Exeter opened.  The Exeter program offered case management, rehab through employment, social and housing programs. 
1990 – 1999      Client count – approximately 630      Staff complement – 58
Permanent Housing expanded with 14 semi-detached units.  Rehab Housing had expanded to 4 group homes.  Referrals increased dramatically with the mandate to serve the more seriously mental ill.  The focus was now on psycho-social rehabilitation with individual goal setting.  WOTCH developed unique residential treatment facilities in Chatham and London (1999).  WOTCH North housing expanded to sixteen beds.  WOTCH entered into many valuable partnerships, CMHA, London Crisis Service, Strathroy Middlesex ACT, SEARCH and London Mental Health Alliance to name a few.
2000 – 2009      Client count – approximately 900      Staff complement – 115
2001 saw the start of an era of professionalism ensuring staff had the proper skills and credentials with human resources becoming a top priority after an organizational review.  An innovative nursing team, and family support team was created.  In 2006 WOTCH moved to 534 Queens Avenue to accommodate programs and staff under one roof.   Women’s Mental Health Resources merged with WOTCH, bringing in the My Sisters’ Place and Crouch programs.  Treatment Services received its first 3 year accreditation with Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilitates International (CARF) in 2006.  In 2009, Community Integration programs received their first 3 year accreditation with CARF and Treatment Services continued with a second 3 year accreditation. 
2010 –       Client count – approximately 1000      Staff complement – 120
The Clinical Services program expanded clinics in medical and psychiatry, with a focus on diabetes education.  Clients have helped shaped programs to their needs and a Client Advisory Committee was created. WOTCH received Accreditation with Accreditation Canada in July 2010.   As we look towards the future WOTCH is renewing its energies and  creating a new vision; one based on our founding principles’ that people with mental illness are better served in the community and are truly supported when they determine and guide our services and the way we deliver them.   WOTCH celebrates 40 years as one of the largest multi-component mental health programs in Ontario and we look forward to serving our community for many years to come.