In partnership with Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation, DMHS Seniors Program is a comprehensive support service for individuals aged 55+ who have mental health and addiction concerns.

Using a “hub’ model, the program is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team. The primary goal of the program is to ensure that services are in place to enhance and extend independence and improve overall physical and mental health.

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)

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.

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

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

DURHAM MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES believes that individuals with lived experience of mental illness can vitally contribute to the recovery process for people who are experiencing mental health problems.

The client/peer support relationship can promote resilience and help buffer stressors or adversity. Clients benefit from the empathy and encouragement that a person who has lived their struggles can offer. It is support “by peers for peers” – a positive, inspiring, and equal relationship that promotes health, self-acceptance, and progress towards recovery.

DHMS Peer Support Specialists can offer:

• Assistance setting recovery goals
• Life-skills training and coaching
• Psycho-educational programming
• Social networking and support
• Linkage to services

Our Peer Support Specialists also work in the community to raise awareness of mental illness and stigma, provide education, and coordinate Peer Support programming with other organizations. In this capacity.

DMHS is a proud sponsor of the consumer advocacy group V.A.S.E. – Voices Against Stigma Everywhere.

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

For Crisis Services call:

905-666-0483  Local
1-800-742-1890  Toll Free

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

Crisis Services

Telephone support is available toll free, 24 hours per day, to support the individual 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 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.

Family Support is a program which offers support to the family members and loved ones of a person living with mental health problems.  Our goal is to reduce stress on families by providing:

Information and Education

• Coping and stress management strategies
• Crisis management skills, relapse prevention
• Signs and symptoms of mental illness
• Medications
• Community resources

Support and Advocacy

• One-to-one support to assist with the practical and emotional aspects of caring for someone with a mental illness
• Information sharing and peer support through regularly scheduled group meetings
• Assistance navigating the mental health system
• Referrals and coordination of support

Eligibility

• Family Support is available to residents of Durham Region 16 years of age or older

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.