Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)

Lakeridge Health’s Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) is a specialized, community-based mental health program that provides direct treatment, rehabilitation, and support to adults living with severe and persistent mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Our multidisciplinary team includes professionals with expertise in psychiatry, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, addiction treatment, vocational rehabilitation, social recreation, and peer support. Together, they deliver care in the settings where clients feel most comfortable—whether that’s at home, in a coffee shop, or even in a public park.  Recognizing that many individuals we serve face significant barriers to attending office-based appointments, ACTT brings services directly to them in the community. This approach is especially effective for those who have not responded well to traditional outpatient care or who have experienced frequent or extended hospitalizations.  
 
ACTT supports clients in building essential life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, managing medications, socializing, attending appointments, seeking employment, budgeting finances, and navigating other daily responsibilities—helping them achieve greater independence and stability in their lives. ACTT visits occur frequently, sometimes multiple times per week, and may include direct support with medication to ensure continuity of care and promote recovery in real-world environments. These services are grounded in a recovery-oriented approach, empowering individuals to take an active role in their own journey toward improved mental health, well-being, and community integration. The team works collaboratively with each client to set personalized goals, build resilience, and foster hope for the future.  

Our Catchment:
ACTT primarily serves residents of Ajax and Pickering. Our catchment area extends:
•    East to West: from the Pickering/Toronto border to White Oaks Court in Whitby
•    North to South: from Beaverton to Lake Ontario

Who We Serve:
Adults 18+ years of age

• Individuals with diagnosis of a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) Axis 1 mental health disorder such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder
• Individuals with a history of heavy health system use. (Hospital admissions more than 50 days in the past 2 years preferred, Increased use of medical support services x6 months such as family doctor, ED, psychiatry, crisis services.
• Individuals who require community-based support to maintain housing or prevent long-term institutional or residential placement because current supports are insufficient
• Individuals who have historically had difficulty with medication adherence, persistent functional impairment, housing problems, legal system involvement and addictions. 

To learn more about our admission criteria, please see our eligibility screening tool: ACT Team Referral Screening Tool 

Exclusionary Criteria:

• Individuals under 18 years of age.
• Individuals with a primary diagnosis other than a DSM Axis 1 psychotic mental health disorder.  For example a primary diagnosis of personality disorder, substance use, anxiety, depression, developmental disability, or other organic disorders which are all more appropriately treated by other services.
• Risks that would prevent the safe provision of community care.
• Applicant resides in long term care/nursing home or similar highly supportive housing.

Referrals 

• We have moved to a centralized intake process with Central Connect.
• Referrals may be submitted by health care providers or by client self-referral. 

Contact Us:
The Assertive Community Treatment Team is located at the Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre at 1690 Dersan Street, Pickering, Ontario, L1X 0C3. 

For general inquiries, please call 905-721-4747 ext 7.