Mental health services | Niagara Region

We offer mental health services for different age groups. Services include assessment, counselling, treatment planning, case management and specialized programs. Each service has specific eligibility requirements. Before referring, check the requirements for the service you're interested in.

Assertive Community Treatment

Ages 16+

Intensive support for individuals with the most serious and persistent mental illness.

Flexible Assertive Community Treatment

Ages 16+

Counselling, treatment and ongoing support from nurses, mental health caseworkers and social workers.

Early Psychosis Intervention

Ages 14-35

Specialized support for youth and young adults experiencing first symptoms of psychosis.

Geriatric Case Management

Ages 60+

Specialized mental health support for seniors.

Youth Mental Health and Addiction Service

Ages 17-25

Assessment, treatment planning and counselling for young people experiencing emerging mental health or addiction concerns.

For health care professionals

To refer your clients to any of the mental health services, visit mental health services for health care professionals.

Assertive Community Treatment

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

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

Must be 16 years of age or older
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

Contact Access Line to refer yourself, a family member or a friend.

Flexible Assertive Community Treatment

This service provides counselling, treatment and ongoing follow-up support. Service is provided by a multidisciplinary, community based mental health team of registered nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and mental health case workers.

16 years of age or older
Diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
Has difficulty engaging with traditional mental health services or requiring varying levels of support over time
Willing to work towards recovery

Contact Access Line to refer yourself, a family member or a friend.

Early Psychosis Intervention

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.

Common symptoms of psychosis include:

Hallucinations
Delusions (false beliefs)
Paranoia
Disorganized thoughts and speech

14 to 35 years of age
Suspect they're experiencing symptoms of psychosis or have been diagnosed with a first episode of psychosis

If a person doesn't meet the criteria for this service, we'll provide information for other services that are available.

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.

To refer yourself, a family member or a friend, complete the mental health service referral form.

Geriatric Case Management

This service provides mental health 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:

Advocacy
Counselling
Health teachings (medication, diagnosis, symptoms and recovery)
Support for family and links to community supports
Treatment

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

60 years of age 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

This service is not for:

Individuals living in long-term care
Dementia / cognitive impairment as primary presenting issue
Crisis response

Contact Access Line to refer yourself, a family member or a friend.

Youth Mental Health and Addiction Service

Assessment, treatment planning and counselling for young people experiencing emerging mental health or addiction concerns. This service is provided at our offices in Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland.

17 - 25 years of age
Little to no prior counselling
First episode of mental illness requiring treatment

To refer yourself, a family member or a friend, complete the mental health service referral form.