Information for Patients

Where to Get Help

  • If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency department.

  • If you are in crisis and wish to talk to someone call Here 24 Seven anytime at 1-844-437-3247 or TTY 1-877-688-5501.

  • To access mental health and addiction services in the community, call 1-844-437-3247 at Here 24 Seven for crisis assessment, intake, and referrals 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

For youths and children’s mental health services, please call Front Door at 519-749-2932 during business hours. Outside of business hours you could reach Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 for immediate help.

To find out about mental health and addiction services at CMH, please email at information@cmh.org.

Criteria and Referral Process for Mental Health Outpatient Services

  To reach the Mental Health Outpatient Department dial 519-621-2330 ext 3305.

Child & Family

Child & Family team provides support to individuals 5 to 18 years of age and their parents.  Our Child and Family team at CMH receives referrals directly from family physicians or pediatricians.  CMH is not accepting referrals directly from the community for counselling services. The pediatric psychiatrist will see the child and determine if other resources are required. Those resources can include individual or family counselling and/or group therapy.    

Adults

Our Outpatient Mental Health clinic supports adults 18 years of age and older. The clinic receives physician referrals via Here 24 Seven (centralized intake through Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for mental health and psychiatry services), our Emergency Department, our Day Hospital and Inpatient Mental Health. The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic also offers medication management through our injection clinic.

Specialized Geriatric Mental Health Services

Geriatric Mental Health Services receives referrals via Specialized Geriatric Services Centralized Intake located at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph. Family Physicians can fax their referrals to Intake at 1-888-205-1491 or can reach them directly by calling 1-855-849-6228. The Geriatric Mental Health team is now located at the Langs Hub at 1145 Concession Road in Cambridge.

 

What to expect

Please bring any personal assistive devices that you require for your appointment. For example, any communication or mobility device you many need like a walker, hearing aid, etc.

Emergency Department

When you arrive in the Emergency Department, you will be seen by an emergency triage nurse who will assess you to determine the reason of your visit. They may suggest a Psychiatric Assessment and Admission Nurse (PAAN) assess you.

 PAAN will complete a mental health crisis assessment and will consult with emergency department physician and psychiatrist on-call for recommendations and disposition.

Mental Health Inpatient Unit:

Inpatient adult mental health is a 25 bed short stay unit for acutely ill patients. It is a secured unit consisting of 20 beds on the main unit, and 5 beds in our Psychiatric Care Unit (PCU) for patients needing more intense treatment and observation. We provide treatment in a very structured environment, including group therapy on the unit during the week. Fresh air breaks are offered multiple times a day on the unit terrace. These outdoor breaks are accompanied  by staff and available for patients when Physician assessments deem safe.

We encourage that you bring minimum personal belongings. CMH does not take responsibility of any lost or stolen items (please see section of regarding safety and personal belongings and valuables). Please leave valuables at home when possible.

Nursing staff do regular safety checks to ensure that no prohibited items are on the unit. Upon admission you will get an admission package and your nurse will review the information with you. Information will include groups offered on the unit, visiting guidelines, privacy, fresh air breaks, and safety.

The Inpatient Mental Health unit is located on the 3rd floor in the A wing. Feel free to call 519-621-2330 extension 5210 to speak with a nursing staff member.

Privacy:

We are committed to protecting your privacy and confidentiality.

Upon admission to the unit, you will be given a Privacy Code. This code is for you to share with only the people who you consent to staff sharing information with.  Family and friends will be asked for this code by staff prior to sharing any information

We will only disclose your personal health information to third party agencies with your consent. Some examples are; Insurance Companies, Lawyers, Police. We will disclose your personal health information for mandatory purposes without your consent olny when deemed necessary.

You may withdraw or withhold your consent at any time. Please tell us when you do not want us to share/disclose your personal health information. We will comply with your request unless we are required by law to disclose your information or to prevent a risk of serious harm to your treatment.

Safety

The program is a non-smoking, locked unit with a controlled environment. Staff monitors all property brought onto the unit. Your clinical staff conducts regular safety checks. Standard safety checks of belongings and/or person will begin during the Mental Health admission process in Emergency Department (ED) and then again on the Inpatient unit. A list of items prohibited on the unit will be given to you on admission. Safety checks may also be done anytime as determined necessary by the health care team for safety of everyone on the Inpatient Unit and maintenance of a therapeutic environment.

Please review the list of monitored and prohibited items in your admission package. Be an active partner in your treatment, by supporting a safe and caring environment for all patients. . 

Meals

All meals are served in the dining room. Your diet will be ordered on admission by the physician so please communicate with the inpatient staff if you have specific dietary needs or restrictions.

Personal Belongings and Valuables

When admitted to the Inpatient Unit, staff will examine your belongings, including any items in your clothing.  Please note there is limited space for personal belongings. Staff can help you and your visitors decide which items are needed. All items and valuables not permitted on the unit will be sent home or locked up until discharge.

Basic hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc. are available on the unit. Please leave your valuables at home as the hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Smoking

Cambridge Memorial Hospital is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is not allowed on hospital property. Alternatives to smoking can be discussed with your nurse. We have multiple fresh air breaks on the terrace throughout the day, however smoking is not permitted.

Visiting

  ***Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visiting hours/procedures have changed --- please refer to CMH Home Page for up-to-date visiting information***

Group Therapy runs every weekday from 10am-3pm and we strongly encourage no visitors during this time as well as visiting after 8pm.  Visiting times should be discussed with the care team.

Helpful Resources

Group content visibility: 

Public - accessible to all site users