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Durham Mental Health Services

 

Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) is a charitable not-for-profit agency providing services and supports to individuals and families who are living with mental health concerns. Operating under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, staff work in partnership with clients, offering services that are person-centred and sensitive to individual needs.

About Durham Mental Health Services

DMHS began operation in 1987 when a coalition of parishioners at Whitby All Saint’s Anglican Church recognized that others in the community, suffering from severe mental health issues, were in desperate need of safe, affordable housing. Now, over 20 years later, DMHS has grown into an agency with over one hundred employees. DMHS offers a range of mental health services, at locations spread throughout the Durham Region.

DMHS is proud to serve our community, raising awareness of mental health issues, fighting the stigma too often associated with them, and offering support and assistance to help people suffering from mental illnesses.

Our services are free and confidential.

Community Support Program

Community Support

Durham Mental Health Services offers a community-based support program which assists individuals with mental health problems to live successfully in the community. Support is individualized to client needs.

Our Program Provides:

Support and Advocacy – including assistance with daily living and meeting basic needs (e.g., housing, financial), life skills development, supportive counseling and crisis intervention, assistance navigating the mental health system, referrals and coordination of support.

Information and Education – including crisis prevention and management, symptom and medication management, mental health information and education.

Specialized Community Support Services

Durham Mental Health Services can also provide support services to the following specialized populations:

  • Dual Diagnosis – individuals with a developmental disability and mental health problems.
  • Transitional Aged Youth – youth between the ages of 16 – 24 who are newly diagnosed and/or new to the mental health system.
  • Forensic Transitional Case Management – Forensic Services (in partnership with Ontario Shores for Mental Health Sciences) – assists forensic inpatient clients to make a successful transition from a secure forensic hospital bed to the community.
  • Seniors Mental Health Support – offering community support services to seniors experiencing mental health problems.

Eligibility

  • Residents of Durham Region 16 years of age and older, living with mental health problems, who want support services in the community.

Durham Mental Health Services offers a range of crisis supports to assist individuals who are experiencing a personal or situational crisis.

Crisis C.A.L.L. Line (Crisis Access Linkage Line)

  • 905-666-0483
  • 1-800-742-1890 (toll-free)
  • Available 24/7 – free and confidential support

Crisis Services - Telephone support is available toll free, 24 hours per day, to support the individual (16+) in crisis and/or their supports. A community visit by our mobile crisis team can be arranged to support the individual in their preferred environment. Follow-up support, including linkage and referral to other community supports, are also available. 

Crisis Mobile Service – runs Mon-Fri – offers face to face crisis support within the community for individuals experiencing crisis. Anyone, aged 16+, in the community can access through the DMHS C.A.L.L 

Crisis Beds - Short-term stays in our Crisis Beds are available for individuals who are experiencing a crisis and are in need of individualized support in a safe, supportive setting away from their present situation. 

Mental Health Safe Beds - This program provides short-term residential crisis beds for individuals living with mental health problems, who are in contact with the justice system. The program offers a safe alternative (where appropriate) to incarceration or hospitalization.

Distress Centre Durham Help Line

  • 905-430-2522
  • 1-800-452-0688 (toll-free)
  • Available 24/7 – free and confidential support

These specially trained responder volunteers provide: 

  • Emotional support and encouragement;
  • Crisis management;
  • Suicide risk assessment;
  • Community resource/referral information; and
  • Emergency intervention.

Learn more about services offered through Distress Centre Durham.

Family Support image

Family Support Program offers services to the family caregivers of ADULTS with mental health issues. Our goal is to reduce stress by providing meaningful help to Supporters.

  • Support and understanding for the challenges faced by the family caregiver
  • Information and education regarding mental health issues
  • Signs and symptoms of mental illness
  • Crisis management skills and relapse prevention information
  • Help developing healthy boundaries and self-care for family members
  • Coping and stress management strategies to protect the well-being of the family

Services Offered to Family Caregivers

1. Individual Support Meetings are an opportunity for the caregiver to meet with a family support worker, who can provide coaching, education, referrals and personalized assistance navigating the mental health system. 

By appointment only, Intake required – please call Central Connect.

2. Family Peer Support Groups provide an opportunity to share with other family caregivers who are going through similar situations. These are staff facilitated sharing groups with an educational component. Parents, Spouses, Siblings and others are all welcome to engage in support for themselves. Members are expected to commit to the full 10-week cycle. 

Intake and registration required – please call Central Connect.

3. Family Empowerment Workshops are “stand alone” events that focus on a variety of specific issues related to the well-being of Families. All family caregivers welcome. 

Intake and registration required – please call Central Connect.

4. Family Education Nights are drop-in events for family members to hear talks, ask questions and network with mental health professionals. Speakers include a variety of specialists such as Psychiatrists, Pharmacists, Addictions Counselors, Crisis Intervention Workers, Court Support Workers, Therapists, and Peer Support Specialists. 

All caregivers welcome - no Intake required.

5. Suicide Survivors Groups provide support and education for those who have lost a loved one due to suicide. Staff and Peer volunteers facilitate two different kinds of groups for those whose loss took place at least three months ago. 

Intake and registration required – please call Central Connect.

Services available to Family Caregivers in Durham Region 16 years of age or older

CentralConnectMHA@lh.ca 

905-440-7534 or 1-833-392-7363

Connie.jpg
Connie Spencer, Indigenous Addiction and Mental Health Outreach Worker

The Indigenous Addiction and Mental Health outreach worker provides support and community service navigation to self-identified First Nation, Metis, and Inuit (FNIM) members of the community who require assistance with mental health recovery.

The Indigenous addiction and mental health outreach worker is committed to providing holistic healing, by promoting the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of Indigenous individuals and their families by fostering traditional values and beliefs that encourage healing and mental stability. The Indigenous outreach worker will collaborate with colleagues and community services to build and promote respect, understanding, compassion, and knowledge of FNIM cultural perspectives.

For further information, please contact Connie Spencer at 905-439-0268 or cspencer@lh.ca

 


Contact - Central Connect

Durham Mental Health Services provides a variety of programs that redirect people with mental health problems from the criminal justice and corrections systems to mental heath services and supports.

Mental Health Court Support

This program assists adults with mental health problems who find themselves in conflict with the criminal justice system. A Court Support Worker assesses each referral received, determines what services might be helpful, and assists the client in linking with those services.  Consultation, education, advocacy and linkage to other supports are also available to family members.

Youth Mental Health Court Support

A Court Support Worker, experienced working with the children and youth sector, is available to provide youth charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act with court support (including diversion) and linkage to appropriate community services.

Court Diversion

Court Diversion is a pre-trial procedure where the Crown Counsel decides not to prosecute if the accused agrees to a treatment plan to address his or her particular needs. This program is for low risk offenders and participation is voluntary. A Court Support Worker provides consultation and advice to the Crown Attorney’s Office on cases referred for deposition and diversion, and develop a treatment plan for the diversion.

Release from Custody

This program provides intensive short-term case management to successfully integrate individuals from the Central East Correctional Centre back into to their community.

Peer Support is practical and emotional support from team members who may have common experiences, such as a mental health or substance use health concerns. 

Our peer support specialists at Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) offer confidential, empathetic, and non-judgmental support through a variety of initiatives across the Lakeridge Health Mental Health and Addictions Program. 

This program offers support, service navigation, coping strategies, and skills by means of:

  • Psychosocial groups;
  • Wellness recovery action planning; and
  • Social and community connections.

These individuals bring a unique blend of professional expertise and personal lived experience to assist people in navigating challenges and promoting overall well-being in their community. 

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Chris Cull, DMHS Peer Support Specialist

The peer support specialist provides emotional support, information, advocacy, connection to consumer/survivor initiatives and community resources, and system navigation assistance to clients presenting in the Emergency Department (ED) with mental health concerns. The goal of the program is to promote increased connection with supportive community resources, thereby reducing the need for ED visits and hospital admissions. 

 

Referrals can be sent via Epic, "after visit procedures", "Hospital to Home", "Peer Support", email at chcull@lh.ca.  or phone call - ext. 36154

Chris can often be found in the ED. Please feel free to reach out for any questions.

Durham Mental Health Services housing options

Durham Mental Health Services offers a range of housing options to people with serious mental health problems who wish to live in the community. Clients have the opportunity to progress through our housing programs as greater independence is sought and achieved starting with the highest level of supportive housing.

Levels of Support

High Support

McKay House, in Whitby, offers the highest level of support. Clients in this program often require help in areas such as daily living skills, problem solving or coping skills, and in accessing needed services. This home for 15 residents is double staffed 24 hours per day.

Medium Support

Sims House, also in Whitby, is the next level of supportive housing. Clients in this program actively participate in household management and have an increased level of responsibility. This home accommodates six residents and is staffed 24 hours per day.

Minimal Support

Durham Mental Health Services also offers several other supportive housing options, in Whitby and Ajax, for clients who have the ability to live independently with minimal support. Limited assistance with life skills, household management and crisis management is provided by on-site staff during specific hours. After hours emergency support is provided through staffing in our other programs.

Rent Supplement Program

The goal of this program is to assist people with mental health challenges to secure housing that is safe and affordable. A rent supplement, plus housing support, is available.

Eligibility (Supportive Housing)

  • Individuals between the ages of 16 and up with a serious, long-standing mental illness
  • Those who are willing and able to live cooperatively with others
  • Those who want and need the services we offer
  • The program cannot accommodate individuals who have a significant cognitive/intellectual impairment as a primary diagnosis or who are in need of ongoing medical services

Seniors Support image

DMHS Seniors Program provides wrap-around holistic care, including a multi-disciplinary team of Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Personal Support Workers (PSW), a Recreational Therapist (RT) and Community Mental Health Workers to seniors in specific Durham Region Non-Profit Housing, Ajax Municipal Housing, and Realstar Property sites, Durham Region Local Housing Corporation sites. 

DMHS staff work collaboratively with seniors requiring different degrees of support; from activities of daily living, homemaking to mental health and addictions support. The Senior Response program’s goal is to provide seniors with the right support, at the right time, in their residence so they maintain control over their lives, stay healthy and live longer in their homes

Community Mental Health Workers (CMHW) provide community based, intensive case management to individuals with mental health concerns. Support and Advocacy – including assistance in meeting basic needs (i.e. housing, financial), life skills development, crisis intervention (coping skills and safety planning), and referrals/advocacy/coordination of supports Information and Education – including crisis prevention and management, symptom and medication management, mental health information and education, system navigation.

The CMHW’s in the Seniors Program also provide coordination with personal support workers, nursing, and Long-Term Care homes for clients.

PSW and RPNs can provide: 

  • Medication Management
  • Safety & Independence at home
  • Managing Finances & Applying for funding
  • Getting enough Food
  • Paperwork & Applications
  • Accessing Community Transportation 
  • Social and Recreation Activities
  • Healthy Relationships & Boundaries 
  • Personal Care
  • Light Housekeeping & Laundry
  • Health Teaching
  • End of Life Planning
  • Managing Addictions
  • Long Term Care Info & Research 
  • Managing Mental Health
  • Referrals to Community Programs 
  • Eviction Prevention
  • Housing related issues
  • Deep cleaning / hoarding referrals
  • Coordination with current supports

Who is eligible for Services:

  • Individuals aged 55 and older living in designated Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation and Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation sites that are:
    • Requiring caregiver relief
    • Feeling isolated
    • Feeling sad and overwhelmed
    • Requiring assistance with activities of daily living
    • Requiring supports with mental health concerns and substance use

Supports could include:

  • Telephone support, security checks, and telephone reassurance
  • Linkages with other supports and services within Durham Region
  • Physical health support around diabetes, blood pressure, smoking cessation, diet and nutrition, hydration
  • Counselling around mental health issues and/or addictions from a recovery orientated and harm reduction focus
  • Recreational support—linking to affordable recreation programs or other social networks
  • Time limited homemaking services including shopping, house cleaning, and meal preparation.
  • Time limited personal support services including dressing, personal hygiene, assisting with mobility, assisting and monitoring medication use and other routine activities of daily living.
  • Case management and case coordination (limited availability)

The Hospital to Home team is an integrated team including Lakeridge Health (including Pinewood and Durham Mental Health Services) and Canadian Mental Health Association. 

The Hospital to Home team supports inpatient units as well as in the Emergency Department to ensure timely availability and accessibility of community mental health supports. 

Subsequently, the team also supports the transition from inpatient to outpatient by linking the individual to community supports prior to discharge.

Services provided in-person at LHO and LHAP

Contact - Central Connect

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