The Canadian Mental Health Association, Muskoka-Parry Sound Branch is a non-profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, of whom 50% are clients or family members. Our catchment area is Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts. We are funded by the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, The Ministry of Community and Social Services, The Ministry of Youth and Child Services, the District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board, Family Services of Peel, the Ministry of the Attorney General, the North East Local Health Integration Network, the Northern Psychiatric Outreach Program, Simcoe Catholic Family Services and private donations.
Services Offered
Adult Protective Services (APS) Provides services to individuals who live with a developmental disability, reside within the Muskoka-Parry Sound area and are 18 years of age or older.
Provides assistance in ensuring clients receive the support services necessary to live as independently as possible in the community with all the rights and responsibilities as anyone else has, to participate in community activities and community life; to have individual choices and to know their rights.
Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) is a multidisciplinary team that provides client-centered, recovery-focused mental health treatment and community-based rehabilitation. This is an intensive program for clients whose mental illness has seriously interfered with their lives and requires long-term treatment to support independent living in the community. ACTT is available to individuals who are 18 years and older experiencing complex mental illness challenges
B'Saanibamaadsiwin (Aboriginal Mental Health Program) B'saanibamaadsiwin translated means "living a good life " . The Aboriginal Program is committed to practicing First Nation, Inuit, and Metis mental wellness care that is culturally safe. We acknowledge that there is a difference in how you see creation and how greater society sees the world. Our staff is committed to building skills, knowledge, and respectful attitudes that lead toward empathy and advocacy for you, your family, and your community. There will be no assault, challenge, or denial of your identity. Our services will work together with you in understanding your individual values, customs, and beliefs. We will be helpers on your healing path and will meet you where you are at in your healing without judgment. We will work with you in care planning to reach your goals towards mental wellness. Our program provides assessment, referral, crisis, and counselling services.
Case Management Services Case Management support is available to people 16 years or older who are experiencing a serious mental illness and/or addictions.
Case Management provides assistance with: * Daily living and meeting basic needs (housing, financial) * Brief and longer-term support * Life skills development * Developing coping strategies * Employment/vocational and social activities * Navigating the mental health and addiction systems * Referrals to other community resources and coordination of support * Symptom and medication management * Crisis prevention, intervention and management * Health promotion and teaching with a focus on recovery and wellness * Family counselling can be provided for those who are supporting friends or family with mental health and/or addiction issues * Dual Diagnosis (mental illness and developmental disability) specialized services are also available
Counselling Services * Counselling Services - provide assessment, individual counselling, treatment planning and group counselling for mental health and addictions. Services may also include psychiatric consultation.
Community consultation/liaison can be made available to other organizations on issues related to addictions and mental illness. This service also provides community education to increase awareness of addictions and mental health issues.
* Concurrent Disorder Services - are available for individuals experiencing a mental illness and an addiction issue. The Concurrent Disorders Service provides support for people experiencing both a mental illness with a co-occurring addiction-related issue. Counselling is primarily delivered within a group format including psycho-education, treatment and facilitated self-help groups. Individual Counselling including assessment, treatment planning and case management are delivered on a case-by-case basis.
* Gambling Services - are available for people who are concerned about their own or someone else's gambling. An assessment will be completed to ensure appropriate treatment interventions. Individual as well as group counselling is offered.
* Opioid Program - counselling and support is available to anyone who is concerned about their use of opioids. This includes individuals who are prescribed Methadone or Suboxone. Individual counselling, referrals to other services and harm reduction supplies are available. Counselling is also available for women who are pregnant and using substances or parents who are using substances and have children 6 years and under.
Early Intervention Psychosis Program Early Intervention Psychosis Program provides early identification, intervention and treatment for individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis to establish a system of support that will allow them to proceed with their life goals and maximize opportunities for personal development. It also provides service through community outreach and assertive attempts to engage individuals, and includes the provision of family support and education.
Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Program Male Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse Program provides counselling and support for men with a history of sexual abuse. An assessment is completed to review treatment options. Eight individual and/or eight group sessions of counselling are offered.
Parry Sound Walk-In Clinic Walk-in Counselling Clinic provide free single session counselling on a drop-in basis and offers a quick access to support for individuals, couples and families. No pre-registration is required!
At a Walk-In Counselling Clinic session our counsellors can discuss your concern and help you develop a clear plan of action to help you find ways to change your situation.
Partner Assault Response Program Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program is a specialized community-based group education/counselling program to offenders who have been mandated by the court to attend the PAR program in response to a criminal charge involving domestic violence. The 12 session program is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General's Ontario Victim Services. The program provides offenders with an opportunity to examine their beliefs and attitudes towards domestic abuse, and to learn non-abusive ways of resolving conflict. PAR programs aim to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable for their behaviour.
Seniors' Mental Health Program In partnership with North Bay Regional Health Centre, this program provides community-based mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment recommendations for people with age-related mental health issues in the District of Parry Sound.
Youth Addiction Services Youth Addiction Services provides counselling to youth who are misusing substances. Counselling is offered with a Harm Reduction approach, respecting the choices and promoting safer use and options that help minimize the risk of substance use. Support is also offered to youth who are impacted by someone else's use. Common support offered includes: moderation, abstinence, alternative coping, self-exploration, advocacy and connection to community supports and resources.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
