Mental health services

To rapidly reach a psychosocial intervention professional, 24/7: 811, OPTION 2

Specific Mental Health Services

The specific services teams are made up of various practitioners: social workers, psychologists, nurses, and other professionals, sometimes in collaboration with a doctor or the family physician. 

They offer individual or group biopsychosocial treatment adapted to the needs of people who have symptoms associated with a mental illness that has a moderate impact on their ability to function. Based on a needs assessment, the services offered are:    

  • Information or support for self-management of care.
  • Therapeutic group service adapted to the situation. 
  • Individual meetings.

Justice and Mental Health Support Program :  

The Justice and Mental Health Support program is designed for people who have committed certain types of criminal offences. It provides legal treatment adapted to the realities of individuals with mental illness who are dealing with the justice system. It aims to provide a more appropriate response to people’s need for care and to prevent repeat offences. Involvement in this program enables the justice system to adjust sentencing in the interests of the individual and of society. The program is available:

  • Through referral by a lawyer, a caseworker from the CISSS des Laurentides or upon request by individuals. 
  • On a voluntary basis.  

First Episode Psychosis Program (in French PPEP):  

The main goal of the First Episode Psychosis Program is the early detection and rapid treatment of people having their first psychotic episode so that we can provide them and their families with essential services that will allow them to have a better chance of recovery. 

Program telephone number: 450-276-0942 or call Info-Social 811, option 2.  

First Episode Psychosis Program information leaflet (in French only)

Information leaflet for families (in French only)

Intensive Case Management (in French SIV) :  

Intensive Case Management (ICM) is a program intended for people with severe or complex mental disorders.

The ICM program offers psychosocial rehabilitation and assistance to people directly in their living environment and community. ICM specifically helps them develop functional, personal and interpersonal skills to increase their independence and to continue their recovery process.

The ICM interdisciplinary team is composed of diverse professionals such as nurses, social workers, special educators, psychoeducators and occupational therapists. There are around 100 ICM teams in Québec.

The frequency of the contacts is adapted to each person’s needs.

Le SIV s’adresse principalement aux personnes : 

  • Adults or those in transition to adulthood.  
  • People with serious mental illness, particularly with a diagnosis of psychosis, mood disorder, or anxiety disorder. 
  • People with needs that require psychosocial rehabilitation services in their home environment. 
  • People who wish to return to independent housing. 
  • People with co-occuring mental health and substance abuse problems.

ICM teams offer three types of services:

  • Psychosocial rehabilitation right in the person’s home environment.
  • Coordination of services to put the person in contact with the various resources needed for their return to the community, including family and friends.
  • Outreach interventions that proactively reach out to people where they are, with the goal of establishing bonds of trust, providing interventions and accompanying them to appropriate services and resources.

Specialized Mental Health Services

Psychiatric assessment and individual or group biopsychosocial treatment for adults with symptoms associated with a mental illness which seriously affects their functioning or requires an assessment to establish a diagnosis or medication adjustment. The treatment is also provided by a multidisciplinary team.

Assertive Community Treatment (SIM in French) :  

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a program offered to adults with a severe mental disorder who are in an unstable and fragile state and require very intensive services. The program is designed to offer them treatment, to help them to recover, to return to live in the community and to increase their autonomy. The services, treatment intensity and meeting places are adapted to each person’s needs.

The program is intended mainly for adults and young adults who have a severe psychotic or bipolar disorder and active symptoms that significantly and persistently affect their daily functioning and who may have the following characteristics:

  • Not responsive to traditional psychiatric treatment.  
  • Functionally incapable of performing activities of daily living (ADL) or household chores. 
  • Dealing with substance abuse issues.  
  • Behavioural problems that affect their ability to live in the community. 
  • At risk of experiencing homelessness.  
  • Involved in the criminal justice system.

The ACT interdisciplinary team is composed of a variety of health professionals such as physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, addiction specialists, community and work re-entry counsellors, peer support workers and others. According to the person’s specific needs, some professionals have a greater number of contacts with the person. Various organizations are also called upon to contribute complementary interventions.

ACT offers integrated services including treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation and sustained recovery support/coaching.

The rehabilitation activities offered by ACT teams include: 

  • Assistance with medication management.  
  • Assistance with financial management. 
  • Assistance with activities of daily living and household chores. 
  • Assistance in the search for housing and employment. 
  • Provision of medical visit companions. 
  • Education about their mental disorder and their rights. 
  • Help with psychosocial crisis resolution.

 

Follow-up in the community and socio-professional integration:

Interdisciplinary treatment teams in the community offer professional treatment, support and rehabilitation to adults with mental illness so that they can improve their quality of life by returning to their positions within their community. The support aims to increase the person’s autonomy and contribute to reducing relapses and the need for hospitalization. These services are provided assertively or with variable intensity. 

The CISSS professional integration service provides rehabilitation and professional integration services aimed at encouraging recovery for the most vulnerable and those farthest removed from the job market who want to take on new social roles.

 

Psychiatric outpatient clinic:   

A psychiatric outpatient clinic is a mental health care facility where patients receive: 

  • Consultation, assessment and treatment services without being hospitalized.

In contrast to a hospital psychiatric unit, the outpatient clinic provides ambulatory services, which means that the patients do not stay there and return to their homes after their consultation or treatment.

 The CISSS des Laurentides has seven psychiatric outpatient clinics that provide a range of services including:

  • Diagnostic assessments.  
  • Group therapy. 
  • Medication reviews.   
  • Psychosocial rehabilitation programs and family support services. 

They are a practical alternative for patients who do not require full-time hospitalization but who do need professional intervention for severe and persistent mental health disorders. 

These clinics are usually made up of a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and specialized mental health nurses who work together to provide complete care adapted to the individual needs of each patient.

Need help?

In case of immediate need, you can get help from the following resources:

Urgence Santé : 911

Centre de prévention du suicide du Québec (Quebec suicide prevention centre) : 1-866-277-3553

Centre de prévention du suicide le Faubourg (Le Faubourg suicide prevention centre): 1-866-277-3553 or 450-569-0101
Response line available 24/7 for people experiencing distress (with or WITHOUT thoughts of suicide). Also available to people worried about someone else’s thoughts of suicide, and to people grieving following a suicide.

Centre de crise Soleil Levant - Laurentides (crisis centre): 450-430-4647

General assistance services

Info-social 811, option 2 : To quickly contact a psychosocial intervention professional 24/7

Info-Santé : 811

Directory of community social services in the Laurentians: : 211

Tel-Aide : 514-935-1101