Community Support Services

Case Management

Case management services provide intensive long-term support for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They may have a concurrent disorder (mental health diagnosis and problematic substance use), or be in conflict with the criminal justice system.

Community support workers and clients work together to develop goals and plan for an eventual transition out of services.

Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS)

CMHA Ottawa is the central access point for intensive case management (ICM) services in the Ottawa area.

CMHA Ottawa completes intake and assessment responsibilities and coordinates all Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) for the Champlain region. Intensive case management services are provided by a consortium of local agencies that strive to provide language-, culture- and program-specific access to ICM for qualifying individuals, aged 16-64, living with a severe and persistent mental illness. MHCSS promotes continuity of services, increases autonomy, and enriches the quality of life for the people who receive those services.

Approximately 1,300 clients receive case management services through a collaboration between CMHA Ottawa, Upstream, Ottawa Salus Corporation, Montfort Renaissance, Sandy Hill Community Health Centre and Somerset West Community Health Centre.

Eligibility Referral Form – MHCSS

Outreach Services

Our outreach services help people with complex needs and mental illness develop goals and connect with ongoing supports to maintain housing and stability. At CMHA Ottawa, we have three types of outreach services: court, hospital and housing.

• Court Outreach
  Court outreach provides support to divert individuals from the justice system toward mental health court and services in the community.
• Hospital Outreach
  Hospital outreach workers support people who are discharged from psychiatric hospitalization and help them integrate back into the community by accessing the proper services.
• Housing Outreach
  Housing outreach engages individuals who are living predominately in shelters to find and maintain housing in the community. We also have a Housing Impact Team that helps chronically homeless people find and keep housing.

Systems Navigation

For more information or referral, call 613-737-7791 during regular business hours.

Helpful Resources

• Mental Health Service Information Ontario provides up-to-date information about mental health services and supports in Ontario.
  • Service is live-answer 24/7, confidential and free. 1-866-531-2600
• ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling. The helpline is funded by the government of Ontario.
• Drug and Alcohol Helpline 1-800-565-8603
• eMentalHealth.ca is a non-profit initiative of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO, dedicated to improving the mental health of children, youth and families.

For adults

• Ottawa Distress Centre 613-238-3311
• 211 24-hour information and referral line connecting you to social, health, and government services. Call now and get connected.

Children and youth up to 18 years

• Youth Services Bureau 24/7 Crisis Line 613-260-2360 (Ottawa) | 1-877-377-7775 (toll-free)

Ages 16 years and up

• Crisis Line 613-722-6914 (Ottawa) | 1-866-996-0991 (toll-free)

For all ages

• Child, Youth and Family Crisis Line of Eastern Ontario 613-260-2360 (Ottawa) | 1-877-377-7775 (toll-free)
• Tel-Aide Outaouais 613-741-6433 (Ottawa) 819-775-3223 (Gatineau) | 1-800-567-9699 (Rural Gatineau, toll-free)

For children and youth

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868