The Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County branch has achieved the highest accreditation rating possible.
Every four years, Accreditation Canada recognizes health care and social service organizations to improve health care quality and patient safety.
CMHA-WECB was recently accredited following a thorough assessment of their services.
The survey team at Accreditation Canada spent the week of May 8 evaluating 654 national standards.
As a result, CMHA-WECB achieved a 100 per cent in compliance, and was awarded the highest possible accreditation, 'Accreditation with Exemplary Standing'.
Less than 30 per cent of the health care organizations accredited receive this Exemplary Standing designation.
Sonja Grbevski, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch, says it was very exciting to find out about the rating.
"It really speaks to the level of care that we're able to provide in our community for mental health and addiction services. This talks to the fact that we've been able to achieve the highest standard in community based mental health services, and as it looks at best practices and how we operate."
She says it took years to get to this level of success.
"We're elated, getting to 100 per cent is absolutely phenomenal. That also means that the team has been doing what they've been needing to do for the entire time. So, it's nothing you prepare overnight, it takes years to get here. So a lot of gratitude to everyone and all the hands on deck that we were able to succeed at this level."
Grbevski says the process is lengthy.
"There are standards that we have to meet, and in addition to standards that we have to meet there's required organizational practices that we're measures against. And those are the ones that are critical to truly state and confirm to say what we're doing is effective."
CMHA provides mental health and addiction services, counselling and therapy, as well as a community health centre to help those in the community.
A celebration event will be held this month to celebrate this achievement with staff, volunteers and supporters.
CMHA is looking for a way to include the public moving forward to celebrate the accreditation.