Learning about and accessing community resources plays an important  role  in promoting your own mental health and facilitating your loved one’s recovery.
Choosing resources means more than just getting a phone number and address – we must consider several factors.  Each  individual  is  unique,  and  people  who  have  the same  diagnosis  may  not  necessarily  benefit  from  the  same  treatment  or  support services.
In  our  chapter  on  recovery,  we  discussed  hope,  choice  and  participation.   Family members should respect the needs, interests and readiness of their loved ones, and to explore jointly  with  them  what  they  would  like  to  pursue  and  which  programs  will address their needs and goals.  Participation  in  programs  requires  consent  from the individual and it’s important that he or she is involved in planning.
Services vary in method of delivery and eligibility requirements. It’s a good idea to do some preparation before contacting the agencies that provide the services. Here are some examples:
List relevant questions, such as:
•   Where is your service available?
•   What types of services do you offer?
•   Are  services  targeted  to  groups  (for  example,  by  age,  gender  or  functioning level)?
•   What  language  and  cultural  provisions  are  available?  For  example,  can  you arrange interpreter services?
•    Is there a fee for your services? How much?
•    Is the service available now, or is there a waiting list? How long is the wait?
•    How do we apply? What is the deadline?
Prepare relevant documents, such as a health card, financial information, and history of illness and hospitalization.
The  next  several  pages  offer  examples  of  different  types  of  community  resources. Please note that the list is not exhaustive, and not all social and health services are included.  Also,  many  services  are  provided  in  English,  and  culture  and  language differences may make them difficult to use.

Overview of community resources available to facilitate recovery

Community information and referral lines

There are telephone services that provide information on a wide range of community,

social, health and government services. Services are free and confidential.

Crisis intervention services

In crisis situations, individuals and families can approach these services as appropriate.

Emergency department

•   An individual who is experiencing a psychiatric crisis can go to a hospital emergency department.

Family support programs

Family  support  programs  offer  mutual  support  groups,  workshops,  resource

materials  and  other  services  to  help  families  learn  about  mental  illness,  the mental  health  system,  community  resources  and  coping  strategies.  Some programs also assist with advocacy.

Psychiatrists

Individuals who need psychiatric assessment and follow-up treatment can be referred to a psychiatrist by his or her family doctor or a general practitioner. For information on psychiatric  treatment  in Cantonese,  Mandarin,  Korean  and  Vietnamese,  please  call Hong Fook Mental Health Association at 416-493-4242.

Case management services

Case  management  services  provide  one-on-one  support  to  individuals  with  mental health problems who live in the community to facilitate recovery by empowering them to work on identified needs and goals. Services may include psychosocial assessment, co-ordination of resources, advocacy, supportive counselling on coping, and education on illness. To determine if a person is eligible, his or her diagnosis, duration of illness and disability as a result of the illness will be considered.

Hong Fook Mental Health Association

•    Languages: Cambodian, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese

Across Boundaries

Community Resource Connections of Toronto   Central Toronto Youth Services – New Outlook

416-787-3007

416-482-4103

416-504-6100

•    For people 16 to 24 years old

York Support Services Network                                                          1-888-695-0070

Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTTs)

ACTTs  provide  intensive  community treatment  and support services for  people with serious mental illness. Below are a few examples.

Mount Sinai Hospital ACTT North York Hospital ACTT

Scarborough Hospital ACTT

Canadian Mental Health Association

416-586-9900

416-632-8708

416-431-8230

416-289-6285

•    East Metro ACTT and New Dimensions ACTT

Substance abuse rehabilitation and support services

These provide referrals to substance abuse rehabilitation and support services. Drug & Addiction Registry of Treatment (DART)                     1-800-565-8603     Metro Addiction Assessment & Referral Service (MAARS)    416-599-1448

Home care

Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) are access points to health and community support services, such as visiting nurses, personal support and occupational therapy, to help people live independently or transition to long-term care. Call 211 for information.

Financial assistance

When  an  individual  loses  his  or  her  work  capacity  due  to  illness  and  has  financial

hardship as a result, he or she can apply for financial assistance. Below are key types.

Ontario Works provides financial and employment assistance to people in temporary and emergency financial need. A doctor must give details about health issues. Call 1-888-465-4478.

For the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ministry of Community & Social Services, call 211 for the nearest office. A doctor must give details about health issues.

For Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits from Human Resources & Development Canada (HRDC), call 1-800-206-7218.

The Income Security Program: Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefits is available to people who have made the required contribution to CPP and whose disability prevents them from working at any job on a regular basis. Call 1-800-277-9914.

The Trillium Drug Program is for Ontario residents who have a valid Ontario Health Card and high

prescription drug costs relative to their net household income. Call 416-326-1558. You can also pick up an application format a drugstore.

Emergency food services

Free meals are available to those in need. Here are some examples.

Good Shepherd Ministries Salvation Army

Scott Mission

Food banks

•    Provide food to individuals and families who cannot afford groceries

Counselling and family services

Assaulted Women’s Helpline

Living Water Counselling Centre

Chinese Family Services of Ontario

KCWA Family & Social Services The Lighthouse

416-869-3619

416-366-2733

416-923-8872

Call 211 for nearest location

416-863-0511; outside 416 area, call 1-866-863-0511

1-866-863-7868 (TTY)

416-754-0470

416-979-8299

416-340-1234

416-535-6262

Psychosocial rehabilitation programs with education and/or vocational

components

These programs facilitate recovery by providing a daytime structure for the individual. They focus on enhancing participants’ social, vocational and other life skills. Below are several examples.

Self-help programs

Self-help programs provide venues for individuals to develop a support network and

learn  from  their  peers.  Through  group  and  mutual  support,  individuals  acquire independent living skills, confidence in relating to others, and other coping strategies.

The friendship  and fun  that  evolve  from  participation  in  the  social  and  recreational activities offered in these programs also add to quality of life.

Opportunities to engage in meaningful activities and supportive employment (offered through some self-help programs) facilitate individuals to regain hope as they see that they can make contributions. Below are examples of agencies that provide self-help programs.

Legal services

Legal Aid, legal clinics and some statutory programs provide services for legal matters. Legal Aid certificate application                        Call 211 for nearest office

Lawyer referral services                                    416-947-3380 or 1-800-268-8326

Community legal clinics

•    Example: Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic

ARCH Disability Law Centre Justice of the Peace

Mental Health Court Support Services

Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee

•    Deals with substitute decision-

making in financial, placement and treatment matters

Call 211 for nearest office 416-971-9674

416-482-8255

Apply in person at a court or City Hall Call 211 for the nearest office

416-314-2477

Housing services

There are housing programs with varying levels of support that cater to the functioning level and needs of individuals. Below are some examples (the list is not exhaustive).

24-hour group home or residential support for individuals with mental health problems

Here is an example of how community resources can facilitate an individual’s recovery and support family members.

Case example

K.T. is a 28-year-old Mandarin-speaking male. He immigrated to Toronto from China with his parents eight years ago. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia seven years ago while at university. K.T. dropped out of school after his first psychiatric hospital admission at age 20. K.T.’s parents are both in their 60s and retired. They’ve had difficulty coping with K.T.’s illness, as he sometimes stops his medication and has had numerous hospital admissions.

While K.T. has ups and downs in his illness, he has made progress since last year. A friend referred him to Hong Fook’s case management program, which assigned him a Mandarin-speaking mental health worker. They’ve been working together to identify K.T.’s needs and goals. K.T. was also referred to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), which enabled him to get a drug card and support himself without burdening his parents. He was also referred to Hong Fook Self Help, where he receives peer support and learning. He volunteers in the program and has built bonds with others.

K.T. has gradually built up his confidence at his own pace. Now, he is able to join the Redirection Through Education program at Seneca College. He also socializes with friends, and is gradually able to manage his symptoms as he continues to receive support from his case manager and develop a better understanding of his illness and ways of coping. He says that he is happier with his life. K.T.’s parents have also felt more at ease since joining a Hong Fook family support group, as suggested by K.T.’s case manager. The group enables them to learn coping strategies and talk about their worries in a safe environment. They’re gradually able to accept K.T.’s illness, take better care of their own needs, and stay hopeful about their son’s recovery.