Building the Path to Home
Links to sustainable housing
for people with dual diagnosis
Crisis services
If there is an immediate risk that the person's quality of life will deteriorate significantly, call the Griffin Community Support Network. GCSN represents over 50 agencies. It is specifically set up to support people with a developmental disability who are 16 years and older, who may have mental health needs (dual diagnosis) and who are in a self-defined crisis. Services through the network include access to a range of time-limited, flexible supports that include:
- safe beds
- day supports
- case management services.
You can contact GCSN:
- from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 416 222-3563
- from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. at 416 929-9897 (through the Gerstein Centre).
Mental health crisis services
Mental health crisis services (for a list of services in Toronto) can respond if a person has a mental health problem and is known to be a danger to him- or herself or someone else, or unable to care for him- or herself to the point that significant physical harm may result.
Mobile crisis response teams will come to the location where the person is, if he or she is unable or unwilling to go to a hospital. These teams are skilled at assessing risk level and will help you get someone to treatment.
If the person doesn't want treatment, but there is no immediate threat of danger, then the situation is more complicated (see Consenting to Treatment). The team may be able to offer short-term support, or may refer the person to another service provider. The Griffin Community Support Network might become involved.
The Gerstein Centre is connected with both the developmental service and the mental health mobile services. The centre offers a range of crisis services for people with mental health problems. It operates a short-term crisis centre where people who are in crisis, but are not at risk of hurting themselves or others, can get support for up to seven days.
Contact information
Some Toronto hospitals have been designated to provide mental health crisis services. They are required to assess anyone who arrives. However, unless the person requires admission for medical or mental health treatment, they may only offer a referral to a support person on an outpatient basis.
For a list of phone numbers, see mental health crisis services.
Youth and family crisis services
Youthdale Treatment Centres are the designated crisis services for youth in Toronto. The services include:
- the Mobile Crisis Team
- priority admission for youth (under 16) to emergency treatment in their Secure Treatment Unit
- priority admission for youth (under 16) to their Transitional Psychiatric Clinic
- crisis intervention in the family home following discharge
- the Transitional Psychiatric Unit for children and youth (under 16) with emotional, psychological and/or cognitive impairments.
Call 416 363-9990 for information about Youthdale's crisis services.
Community relations unit
Most police stations have community relations units that tend to be more sensitive to special needs groups. If you call 911, you generally get the Emergency Response Team. If you call your local police station and ask for the community relations officer, you may be able to problem solve with him or her without the potential intrusiveness of a full emergency response by police, paramedics or firefighters. If you are concerned about immediate harm, however, you must call 911.
Here are some useful resources:
- Community Programs Office for Mental Health and Homeless (416 808-7826)
- Toronto Police Directory.
Other resources
Hotlines and distress centres
- List of distress centres in Ontario
- Assaulted Women's Helpline (416 863-0511 in Toronto, toll-free 1 866 863-0511, TTY 1 866 863-7868)
- Kids Help Phone (1 800 668-6868)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bi Youth Hotline (1 800 268-9688)
- Parent Help Line (1 888 603-9100)
- Victim (Crime) Support Line (1 888 579-2888)
- Shelternet.ca (information about woman abuse and shelter services)
Books
Last updated:
Friday, November 2, 2007 5:07 PM
DISCLAIMER: Information on this site is not to be used for diagnosis, treatment or referral services and CAMH does not provide diagnostic, treatment or referral services through the Internet. Individuals should contact their personal physician, and/or their local addiction or mental health agency for further information.