Mental health

Program Description

In mental health, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person’s reaction to an event. One person might be deeply affected while another individual suffers little or no ill effects.

The purpose of crisis intervention is to deal with the current status of the individual dealing with a crisis. Crisis intervention is not intended to provide psychotherapy, but instead to offer short-term intervention to help clients receive assistance, support, resources, and stabilization.

Services Offered to Clients

• Offer crisis assessment and intervention focusing on the individual’s immediate situation including factors such as safety and immediate needs
• Provide emotional support and help improve the individual’s coping strategies
• Follow up, information and referrals to other service providers according to the individual’s needs

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals 16 years of age or over
• Experiencing a crisis and in need of immediate assistance

Referral Procedures

Hours of operation:

• Weekdays – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at our offices;
• Wednesdays – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at our offices;
• Monday to Friday – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., by calling our office or via the emergency room of the local hospital;
• Weekends – 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., by calling our office or via the emergency room of the local hospital.

Referrals may come directly from the individual, a family member/friend or from the following service providers:

• Emergency services and hospitals;
• Physicians;
• Police services;
• Community agencies.

Program Description

This program refers to a variety of services offered to individuals affected by a mental illness. Our multidisciplinary team within seeks to affect changes in a person’s environment to facilitate improvement in symptoms or personal distress and life outcomes.

Services Offered to Clients

• On-going needs assessment
• Psychological support to clients and their families
• Life skills and social skills training and support
• Assistance in job searching and training
• Subsidized housing services (two quadruplexes in Kapuskasing and one in Hearst)
• Psychiatric assessment including treatment recommendations and medication monitoring
• Social activities – Drop-in, outings and more, including transportation
• Advocating for the client to promote and protect rights
• Provide accompaniment and transportation to medical appointments when needed (ex. pharmacy, hospital, physician, etc.)

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals 16 years of age or over
• Diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental disorder by a psychiatrist.

Referral Procedures

Referrals are administered internally. Referrals may come from a health care provider that can provide sufficient information to indicate that the person has a diagnosis from a psychiatrist.

Program Description

This program helps individuals living with mental illness who have charges pending at regional courts between Cochrane and Hearst. These individuals may be diverted from the court system and connected to forensic Mental Health Services. Individuals who do not qualify for diversion may also receive support and consultation services.

Services Offered to Clients

• Assessments to determine the eligibility of local referrals to the forensic program of the North Bay Regional Health Centre
• Establish goals with clients eligible for diversion
• Supportive and consultation services to individuals who are not eligible
• Support for the client, family and friends during legal proceedings
• Refer clients to the appropriate community services
• Offer court diversion functions in compliance with as well as working closely with the office of the Crown Attorney

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals 16 years of age and over
• Have been accused of a minor offence
• Have or previously had problems directly related to mental health
• Sufficient proof exists indicating that mental health issues had a direct contribution to the offence committed
• The person poses no clear and serious threat to the community

Referral Procedure

Referrals may come directly from the individual, a family member/friend or from the following service providers:

• Police services;
• Crown attorney;
• Defence attorney;
• Judge or Justice of the Peace;
• Community agencies.

Program Description

The word “psychosis” is used to describe condition that affect the mind, in which there has been some loss of contact with reality. Psychosis affects an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This program offers psychosocial treatments to help speed up the recovery process and promote good quality of life for the individual and their family.

Services Offered to Clients

• Provide emotional support and perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the client’s unique needs
• Help clients become educated about psychosis and treatment
• Offer practical assistance with day to day living (ex. Help reestablish a routine, develop a plan for return to work or school, find suitable housing, obtain financial assistance, etc.)
• Provide a range of psychosocial treatments depending on unique needs
• Make referrals to other service providers or community programs as needed
• Psychiatric assessment including treatment recommendations and medication monitoring

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals between 14 and 35 years of age
• Experiencing signs and symptoms of psychosis which have not been treated for a period exceeding 6 to 12 months

Referral Procedures

Referrals may come directly from the individual, a family member/friend or from the following service providers:

• Emergency services and hospitals;
• Physicians;
• Community agencies.

Program Description

The role of the Seniors’ Mental Health Program consists of providing mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment recommendations to your doctor/nurse practitioner. If needed, we will assist you to connect with other health care agencies, identify community support services for both you and your family/caregiver. We aim to prevent hospitalization or crisis whenever possible.

The Seniors’ Mental Health team consists of 1 Registered Nurse (RN) in Kapuskasing; 1 RN in Hearst and a Geriatric Psychiatrist who visits our area.

What to Expect?

• Once our program receives a referral from your family doctor/nurse practitioner, you will receive a phone call from the Seniors’ Mental Health Nurse within one month.
• At that time, we will discuss the reason for the referral and provide information about your appointment wait time.
• After you see the Geriatric Psychiatrist, recommendations regarding the findings and suggested treatment will be sent to your family doctor.
• Afterwards and depending on your needs, we will provide a limited follow-up.
• You and your family doctor will be notified when our services are no longer needed.

Eligibility Criteria

Seniors (usually aged 65 years or older) with late onset mental illness can be referred for a consultation if they have one or more of the following:

• Mental illness complicated by age-related medical illness
• Responsive behaviors associated with dementia
• Must be medically stable

Referral Procedure

Referrals to this program MUST be made through your family physician or nursepractitioner

PLEASE NOTE

This is NOT an emergency service. For emergency needs please contact your family doctor or your nearest emergency department.