Adult and Youth Mental Health Services

We offer several different mental health services for adults and youth. Each service has different eligibility requirements. Before referring, check the requirements for each service.

For mental health emergencies, call 911
For mental health crisis, call COAST at 1-866-550-5205 ext. 1
For children under the age of 18, visit Pathstone or call Contact Niagara at 905-684-3407
Learn about other Niagara youth services

Adult and youth services

Assertive Community Treatment Team (16 years of age and over)
The Assertive Community Treatment Team is designed to help individuals with the most serious and persistent mental illness. Individuals served by this service often have co-existing problems such as homelessness, substance abuse or involvement with the judicial system.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for this service, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
- Live with a psychotic disorder (e.g. 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
Referrals
- Refer myself, a family member or a friend
- For referrals from a community agency, hospital or health care provider
Case Management (16 years of age and over)
This service provides counselling, treatment and ongoing follow-up support to residents in the Niagara Region. Program staff include nurses, mental health caseworkers, and social workers who provide:
- Counselling
- Treatment
- Health teachings (medication, diagnosis, symptoms and recovery)
- Support for family and links to community supports
- Advocacy
- Life skills and activities of daily living
Eligibility criteria

To benefit from this program, clients must be:
- Age 16 or older
- Living with significant mental health challenges
- Need help coordinating multiple services
- Diagnosed with an illness such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- Willing to work towards recovery
Make a referral
- Refer myself, a family member or a friend
- For referrals from a community agency, hospital or health care provider
Early Psychosis Intervention (14 to 35 years of age)
Psychosis refers to a loss of contact with reality. Psychosis can be treated, and many people make a good recovery, especially if they get help early.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of psychosis include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions (false beliefs)
- Paranoia
- Disorganized thoughts and speech
Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the Early Psychosis Intervention service, a person must:
- Be 14 to 35 years of age
- Suspect they're experiencing symptoms of psychosis, or have been diagnosed with a first episode of psychosis
- Less than six months of antipsychotic medications OR no prior use of antipsychotics
If a person doesn't meet the criteria for this service, we'll provide information for other services that are available.

Family Education Group

Research shows that family involvement supports recovery. A free family education group is available to those who are supporting a family member in the Early Psychosis Intervention service. Family members can also seek support with our program even if their child won’t engage.

This group provides an opportunity to learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatment of psychosis, as well as many other helpful ways to support your loved one through their recovery process.

For more information, family and self-referrals can call 905-688-2854 ext. 7353.

Referrals
- Refer myself, a family member or a friend
- For referrals from a community agency, hospital or health care provider
Youth Mental Health and Addiction Service (17 to 25 years of age)
This service is provided in the individual's home, our office, or at a location of their choice in the community.

The service provides assessment, treatment plan and counselling for young people experiencing emerging mental health or addiction concerns.

Eligibility criteria
- Be 17 to 25 years of age
- Little to no prior counselling
- First episode of mental illness requiring treatment
Make a referral
- Refer myself, a family member or a friend
- For referrals from a community agency, hospital or health care provider
Geriatric Case Management (60 years of age and older)
This service provides counselling, treatment and ongoing follow-up support to seniors in a safe environment of their choosing. Program staff includes a nurse, mental health caseworker, occupational therapist and social worker who provide:
- Counselling
- Treatment
- Health teachings (medication, diagnosis, symptoms and recovery)
- Support for family and links to community supports
- Advocacy
Symptoms

If someone you know is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, they may be living with a mental illness:
- Mood changes, including burst of emotion, feeling excited or depressed, increased energy or impulsivity
- Change in sleep patterns or spending habits
- Hallucinations - seeing and hearing people, or smelling, tasting or feeling things that are not real
- Hold strong beliefs that may be unusual and out of character
- Excessive worry, suspicious thinking, rapid speech
- Cognitive problems related to mental health challenges such as confused thinking, trouble concentrating, poor memory or finding it hard to engage in conversation
Eligibility criteria

To benefit from this program, clients must be:
- Age 60 or older
- Living with significant mental health challenges that may be undiagnosed
- Diagnosed with an illness such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- Willing to work towards recovery
Exclusionary criteria
- Living in long-term care
- Dementia / cognitive impairment as primary presenting issue
- Crisis response
Make a referral
- Refer myself, a family member or a friend
- For referrals from a community agency, hospital or health care provider