Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) is a charitable not-for-profit agency providing services and supports to individuals and families who are living with mental health concerns. Operating under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, staff work in partnership with clients, offering services that are person-centred and sensitive to individual needs.
DMHS began operation in 1987 when a coalition of parishioners at Whitby All Saint's Anglican Church recognized that others in the community, suffering from severe mental health issues, were in desperate need of safe, affordable housing. Now, over 25 years later, DMHS has grown into an agency with over 180 employees. DMHS offers a range of mental health services, at locations spread throughout the Durham Region.
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Services Offered
Crisis Response * Crisis Services - Telephone support is available toll free, 24 hours per day, to support the individual in crisis and/or their supports. A community visit by our mobile crisis team can be arranged to support the individual in their preferred environment. Follow-up support, including linkage and referral to other community supports, are also available.
Community Support Program * Specialized Community Support Services - Durham Mental Health Services can also provide support services to the following specialized populations: > Dual Diagnosis - individuals with a developmental disability and mental health problems. > Concurrent Disorders - individuals who have a drug or alcohol dependency and mental health problems. > Transitional Aged Youth - youth between the ages of 16 - 24 who are newly diagnosed and/or new to the mental health system. > Forensic Transitional Case Management - Forensic Services (in partnership with Ontario Shores for Mental Health Sciences) - assists forensic inpatient clients to make a successful transition from a secure forensic hospital bed to the community. > Seniors Mental Health Support - offering community support services to seniors experiencing mental health problems.
Family Support Family Support is a program which offers support to the family members and loved ones of a person living with mental health problems. Our goal is to reduce stress on families by providing: * Information and Education > Coping and stress management strategies > Crisis management skills, relapse prevention > Signs and symptoms of mental illness > Medications > Community resources
* Support and Advocacy > One-to-one support to assist with the practical and emotional aspects of caring for someone with a mental illness > Information sharing and peer support through regularly scheduled group meetings > Assistance navigating the mental health system > Referrals and coordination of support
Seniors Support Program In partnership with Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation and Pinewood Centre (LHO), DMHS Senior Support Service is a comprehensive support service for individuals aged 55+ who have mental health issues, addictions concerns or a concurrent disorder.
Supports could include: * Telephone support, security checks, and telephone reassurance * Linkages with other supports and services within Durham Region * Physical health support around diabetes, blood pressure, smoking cessation, diet and nutrition, hydration * Counselling around mental health issues and/or addictions from a recovery orientated and harm reduction focus * Recreational support-linking to affordable recreation programs or other social networks * Time limited homemaking services including shopping, house cleaning, and meal preparation. * Time limited personal support services including dressing, personal hygiene, assisting with mobility, assisting and monitoring medication use and other routine activities of daily living. * Case management and case coordination (limited availability)
Fees and Payment
Our services are free and confidential.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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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.