Supportive Housing
Many mental health and addictions agencies provide different types of subsidized and supported housing options. In York Region and South Simcoe, there are 4 main types of supportive housing options.
Group Homes
Group homes are large homes intended for individuals who are not able to live on their own because of their mental health. They provide 24 hours supervision and ensure all of an individual’s basic needs are met by providing all meals, administering and monitoring medication, providing housekeeping and laundering services, as well as ensuring residents attend regular medical appointments.
Mental health and addictions supportive housing
This type of housing is typically available to individuals who are homeless or experiencing chronically unstable housing, who, without additional support, may not be able to maintain stable housing on their own. Housing workers visit sites regularly offering support with symptoms, coping strategies, daily living skills such as budgeting and preparing shopping lists, as well as holding tenants’ meetings as these types of housing tend to be shared accommodations.
Subsidized housing
This type of housing is typically offered through the Municipality. It is intended for individuals who do not have any concerns with being able to maintain housing on their own, however, due to a low income, are unable to afford housing. The municipality will provide housing, at a subsidized rate, which is typically dependent on income and family size. Most subsidized housing programs have extensive waitlists.
In addition to the programs above that provide physical housing, some agencies work with individuals to find appropriate housing in the private sector. Given the competitiveness of the rental market, housing workers can work one-on-one with individuals to wade through rental postings, contact landlords and develop budgets etc.
Transitional housing
Transitional housing is housing that is offered for a specific amount of time (usually ranging between 6-12 months, however, some programs can last for 2-3 years). The purpose of transitional housing is to assist someone in transitioning from one living arrangement to another, it is seen as a stepping stone from hospital, incarceration or homelessness, to independent living. Transitional housing living arrangements are often shared and have staff on site. Staff teach daily living skills, ensure residents basic needs are met, assist in connecting to medical and community supports and assist with future planning.
Crisis Beds
‘Safe houses’ or ‘crisis beds’ are short term housing options (usually a few nights) which provide short-term accommodation for people in crisis, designed to prevent hospitalization. In York Region, residents experiencing a crisis can access crisis stabilization though 310-COPE. More information can be found below, in the Community Crisis Response section of this article.
Case Management
Case managers work one-on-one with individuals, often several times a week, in the setting of the client’s choice (apartment, coffee shop). They help people find the services they need, access medical care, acquire new skills, find jobs and make friends. Certain case managers also provide counseling or help in overcoming addictions and work to prevent hospitalization
Assertive Community Treatment Teams
The Assertive Community Treatment Teams typically work with individuals who experience a psychotic component to their illness and have had multiple hospitalizations due to symptoms. Psychiatric treatment includes assessment, diagnosis, the prescription and monitoring of medication, and interpersonal or cognitive therapy (individual, group or family). In the community, multi-disciplinary teams that include psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and case managers provide treatment to clients in their homes and in their communities so that hospitalization can be prevented.
Peer Support
Peer Support brings together people with similar circumstances or illnesses to share experiences, challenges and coping strategies. Mental health and addictions agencies recognize the power of lived experience. By bringing together those who are experiencing mental illness or addictions, with those who are in recovery,
Community Crisis Response
Community mental health agencies respond to people who are in a crisis situation by assessing their immediate circumstances, providing crisis support, offering admission to short-term crisis beds for crisis stabilization, or assisting with hospitalization, if it is required.
310-COPE is the community crisis response service in York Region. They offer a broad range of supports, including:
Telephone crisis support
Those experiencing a crisis can immediately connect with a crisis response worker by calling 1-855-310-COPE (2673) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Crisis Beds
Individuals in crisis who feel as though they need more support than can be provided over the phone, can access the 310-COPE crisis beds. There are 4 beds available in a clean, quiet, comfortable home located in Newmarket, Ontario. Crisis Response Workers provide 24 hour supervision, one-on-one support is provided as often as needed, medication monitoring, meals and all other basic needs are also provided.
Mobile crisis supports
These services operate similar to telephone crisis services, however, when requested, they are offered in-person, instead of over the telephone.
Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
310-COPE crisis response workers have partnered with several local police forces, including York Regional Police, South Simcoe OPP, and Nottawasaga OPP to provide on-scene and follow up support to those who call 911 presenting with a mental health concern.
More information on any of the services offered by 310-COPE, can be obtained by calling 1-855-310-COPE.
Court diversion programs
People with a mental illness who have committed a minor offense need not go to jail. Instead, court diversion programs work to get them the help that they need outside of the judicial system. Court division programs reduce court costs and meet people’s mental health needs in a more effective manner than the corrections system. Court diversion programs in York Region are offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
Employment services
Agencies partner with local businesses to find jobs for people with a mental illness. Staff may also provide skills teaching and job coaching. When accessing employment supports, specifically through a mental health agency, a person’s strengths and symptoms can be considered when matching them to a position. This customized approach leads to more successful outcomes.
Other programs
Community mental health services are developed with the particular needs of the community in mind. Some agencies provide warming rooms for those experiencing homelessness in the winter where people can take a shower, eat and have a good night’s sleep. Other examples of programs include support groups for the newly bereaved, or people who are divorcing, clothing or food banks, and education programs on mental illness for high school students.