Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

How can I get referred for service?

Do I need a formal diagnosis?

Are there fees for your services?

Are there age limits?

Do you provide medical services?

Are your services confidential?

Are your services voluntary?

I don't have a doctor... can you help?

I need counseling... can you help?

I’m not sure what I need... can you help?

Who do I call if I just need someone to talk to?

 

How can I get referred for service?

You can complete and submit a referral on your own behalf or have someone (family member, family doctor, psychiatrist, peer support, etc.) help you complete a referral.

There are four ways to access service:

1. You can complete a “Referral and Request for Community Mental Health Services” – either download a copy of the referral form here, call 905-666-0831 to be mailed a copy, or come to our Administration office at 519 Brock Street South, Whitby to pick up a copy. Your referral is reviewed by Central Intake, which will link you with a DMHS service that can meet your needs (Case Management or Supportive Housing) or to a relevant community program.
2. You can access Crisis Services immediately by calling 905-666-0483 (toll-free: 1-800-742-1890). A Crisis worker will provide immediate support over the telephone or with a mobile visit (hours of operation: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday to Friday; 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). Depending on your needs, the Crisis team can help link you to on-going support, either through a DMHS program or through a relevant community program.
3. Individuals 16 years of age and older who have mental health issues and are in conflict with the law can access our Court Support program by contacting a Court Support worker. Our Court Support team can be accessed at the 850 King Street West, Oshawa and 242 King Street East, Oshawa courthouses or by telephone at 905-430-4927 (850 King Street West) or 905-743-9384 (242 King Street East).
4. Individuals with dually diagnosed developmental and mental health issues can call 905-683-9124, ext. 227 for consultation and support.

For more information or for assistance with a referral, please contact our Central Intake program at 905-666-0831, ext. 234.

Go back to top of page.

Do I need a formal diagnosis?

You do not need a formal mental health diagnosis to access services. Our Crisis Services program provides support to any person who could use a helping hand aged 16 and over in Durham Region. If you are concerned that you may have an undiagnosed mental illness, our Central Intake staff can help link you with a psychiatrist for assessment.

Go back to top of page.

Are there fees for your services?

There are no fees for any DMHS services. We are a non-profit, community mental health agency funded primarily by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and we’re grateful for our funders’ generous support.

Go back to top of page.

Are there age limits?

DMHS provides community mental health services and support to individuals 16 years of age and older. Individuals younger than 16 who need support can call our Crisis Services at 905-666-0483 (toll free: 1-800-742-1890); we provide our crisis support line in partnership with local youth services (Kinark Child and Family Services, Frontenac Youth Services, and CHIMO Youth and Family Services) and can provide support while linking the caller to these youth services. If an individual requires services specifically for seniors, our staff can help link the individual to needed services.

Go back to top of page.

Do you provide medical services?

DMHS is non-medical – we have no psychiatrists, nurses, or doctors on staff. Our staff work closely with the region’s health service providers to ensure that clients receive effective, coordinated medical care.

Go back to top of page.

Are your services confidential?

Along with client safety, client confidentiality is our highest priority. You decide with whom we share information and for what purposes. Under certain conditions, including imminent danger to oneself or another or where the welfare of a child is jeopardized, we have a legal and ethical responsibility to report information to the appropriate authorities. Except in these limited and legally enforced situations, we will protect your privacy and never share information about you without your express written consent.

Go back to top of page.

Are your services voluntary?

All DMHS services are provided on a voluntary basis. Even when an individual is mandated to work with DMHS (for example, as part of a Court Diversion agreement), the individual can still choose not to work with us (and face any potential consequences). We can try to increase a person’s readiness for service (by helping, for example, to clarify their values, identify their goals, and find ways DMHS can benefit them), but ultimately, each client makes a free decision to work with us or not.

The voluntary nature of our services can be frustrating for those who care about an individual who sees no need for service or chooses not to work with us. At times, mental health issues are apparent to everyone but the person experiencing them. In these situations, we encourage family members, friends, and other supports to contact our Central Intake program for information and discussion. Often, family members of individuals with serious mental illness have their own needs, including learning about the illness, linking to resources, meeting others in the same situation, and identifying and achieving their own goals. For this reason, DMHS offers special case management and group support to family members of individuals with mental illness. Please call our Central Intake program at 905-666-0831, ext. 234 for more information on this service.

Go back to top of page.

I don't have a doctor... can you help?

We can. Our staff work with available resources to help individuals meet their needs – including their medical needs. With the shortage of doctors in Durham Region, our staff can keep individuals informed about doctors accepting new patients and help them access needed medical services through, for example, walk-in clinics or parish nurses.

Go back to top of page.

I need counseling... can you help?

We can. DMHS staff are not professional counselors. They will provide support and encouragement and help you assess your current situation, develop goals to work toward, and plan how to reach those goals – if those goals include professional counseling, our staff can help link you with one of Durham Region’s professional counseling providers (e.g., Family Services Durham, Catholic Family Services).

Go back to top of page.

I’m not sure what I need... can you help?

We can. Our Crisis Services and Central Intake staff can help you assess your current situation, decide what, if anything, you would like to change, and link you with helping resources and/or services – including those personal strengths that are easy to overlook when we’re distressed or out-of-sorts. At times, just talking with a friendly, patient, and understanding person can help you learn more about your situation and about available options.

Go back to top of page.

Who do I call if I just need someone to talk to?

When you need someone to talk to, our Crisis Services staff are available by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You needn’t be in “crisis” to call.

Go back to top of page.