Mental Health Resources for Health Care Professionals

Niagara Region Mental Health offers free counselling, treatment and case management services for youth, adults and seniors with serious and persistent mental illness.

Mental Health Services

  • Assertive Community Treatment Team (Age 16+)

    Individuals served by this service often have co-existing problems, such as homelessness, substance abuse or involvement with the judicial system.

    Eligibility

    To qualify for this service, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

    • Live with a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features
    • Experience ongoing illness that impacts several aspects of their life, including activities of daily living, housing, finances, general health and relationships
    • Have had multiple hospital admissions
    • Need treatment support provided in their home or community
    • Have not been successful with less intensive programming
    • Have a focus on recovery
    • Can work with a team of professionals
  • Case Management (Age 16+)

    This service provides support to individuals with serious, ongoing mental health needs.

    Eligibility

    To qualify for this service, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

    • Suffer from ongoing and serious mental illness
    • Have difficulty managing medication(s) and any side effects
    • Need help coordinating multiple services
    • Need help with life skills and activities of daily living
    • Require education and counselling for themselves and their family
  • Early Psychosis Intervention (Ages 14-35)

    It's been proven that people can recover from psychotic episodes if they receive treatment early. Symptoms of psychosis include hallucinations, delusions, ideas of reference, paranoia, disorganized thoughts, speech or behaviour.

    Eligibility

    To qualify for this service, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

    • Suspected of experiencing symptoms of psychosis or has been diagnosed with a first episode of psychosis
    • Has never been treated for psychosis or has been treated with antipsychotic medication for less than six months
    • Supported by a health care provider willing to continue with treatment recommendations

    If a person doesn't meet criteria for this service, we'll attempt to provide information for other services that may be available.

  • Geriatric Case Management (Age 60+)

    Our geriatric program provides ongoing follow-up support to seniors in a safe environment of their choosing. This service is for seniors who may be experiencing mood changes, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and cognitive problems related to depression.

    This service consists of nurses, mental health caseworkers and social workers who provide:

    • Counselling
    • Health teaching (medication, diagnosis, symptoms and recovery)
    • Support for family and links to community services
    • Advocacy

    Eligibility

    To qualify for this service, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

    • Suffering from serious and ongoing mental illness
    • Willing to work towards recovery
    • Live in their own home or a retirement home

  • Telemedicine (Age 16+)

    This service is for adults and seniors experiencing mental health and addiction issues who would benefit from a psychiatric assessment. Telemedicine provides consultation appointments through confidential video conferencing between a client and psychiatrist.

    Watch a sample video of a consultation between a client suffering from mental health issues and a psychiatrist.

    After the consultation, family physicians and nurse practitioners will continue to provide ongoing care based on treatment recommendations from the psychiatrist.

    If available, forward any blood work done within the past six months.

    Other Options for Referral

    Client: Fort Erie residents (Fort Erie, Ridgeway, Crystal Beach)
    Refer to: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton for follow-up at the Douglas Memorial Hospital
    Phone: 905-522-1155
    Fax: 905-381-5601

    Client: Over 65 years or older adults with cognitive decline (dementia)
    Refer to: St. Joseph's Niagara Seniors Mental Health Outreach
    Phone: 905-704-4068
    Fax: 905-704-4072

  • Youth Mental Health and Addiction Services (Ages 16-25)

    We offer two streams of care for youth needing mental health treatment and support. These services are provided in the individual's home, our office, or at a location of their choice in the community.

    Our staff can provide counselling, education, and support in decision making.

    Treatment (Ages 17-25)

    This service provides assessment, a treatment plan, and counselling for young people experiencing emerging mental health or addiction concerns. Individuals must:

    • Have no prior specialized child / mental health treatment in the last six months
    • Not meet referral criteria for other mental health and addiction services
    • Have exceeded the maximum age of other youth mental health services
    • Be a Niagara resident

    Transition Support (Ages 16-19)

    This service offers transition support and help navigating adult mental health system and community services. It's for young people with complex mental health or addiction issues who are moving into adult mental health and addiction services. Participants must:

    • Not meet referral criteria for other mental health and addiction services
    • Be experiencing barriers to existing services
    • Not have received adolescent mental health or addiction services in the last 12 months
    • No longer be eligible for adolescent mental health or addiction services due to age
    • Be a Niagara resident

Make a Referral

Intake calls are answered Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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