SECTIONS

Mental Health

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS:

CALL THE COMMUNITY CRISIS LINE AT 519-973-4435
GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
CALL 9-1-1

Details for the week of March 25, 2024

MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT UNIT (MHAU) WAIT TIMES
ED Time to Physician Initial Assessment	3.2 hours (average)
Time to MHAU Arrival	7.4 hours (average)
View historical wait times information here.

EMERGENCY ROOM PRESENTATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Presentations total for the week	132
Average per day	19

OVERVIEW

The Mental Health Program at Windsor Regional Hospital provides acute services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for patients 16 years of age or older. Services include emergency psychiatric assessments through the Mental Health Assessment Unit, admission into our 65-bed acute mental health program, or admission into our 8-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. In addition, our team provides psychiatric consultation to in-patients throughout the hospital.

OUR TEAM

A multidisciplinary team of professionals including nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, family practice physicians, and psychiatrists work with individuals, families, and community partners to provide intervention, treatment and promote recovery.

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Patient handbook - This handbook has information about the Mental Health Program at Windsor Regional Hospital.

Links to additional Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services:

ConnexOntario Helpline - 1-866-531-2600 - A direct helpline for addiction, mental health, and problem gambling services. The helpline operates 24/7 and will link callers with appropriate services in their communities.
211 South West Region - This is a regularly updated database of services in the South West Region of Ontario.

Contact Information for Outpatient Mental Health Programs:

Canadian Mental Health Association - 519-255-7440
Transitional Stability Centre - 519-973-4435

FAQ's

Where can I access emergency mental health care?

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact the Community Crisis Centre at 519- 973-4435, go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

What happens if I am admitted?

Your journey with mental health may begin in the Emergency Department at Triage. At triage, you will be assessed to determine if your needs are medical, psychiatric, or both. You will see an Emergency Physician who will assess whether you will be either discharged or assessed by one or more of the following:

Crisis Worker- Will complete a psychosocial assessment and offer community resources for support.
Psychiatric Assessment Nurse- Will complete a psychiatric assessment and make recommendations to the physician and psychiatrist regarding admission versus discharge.
Psychiatrist- Will complete an assessment and will determine if you will be discharged home or will require admission to the Mental Health Department for further assessment and/or treatment.

What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary patient status?

A voluntary admission means that you have been admitted to our Mental Health Department because you are asking for help and are ready to begin your journey to wellness with your treatment team.

An involuntary admission permits doctors to retain patients for further psychiatric assessment. In Ontario there are four situations where an involuntary admission is allowed:

The person may hurt themselves,
The person may hurt others,
The person cannot take care of themselves, or
The person has a history of mental illness, has improved with treatment in the past, but stopped treatment and is ill again.

What are the visiting hours?

Visiting hours are from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm daily. A maximum of 2 adults per patient list, 1 visitor per day - 30-minute intervals. No children under the of 16 will be allowed in the unit. Please be aware that under some circumstances the treatment team my restrict visitor access. Visitors are encouraged to contact the nursing unit for clarification and guidance if their visit has been restricted.

Please check in with security upon arrival. Visitors will sign in/out and store all personal belongings in a locker. To ensure safety, security guards will assist with checking any personal items being brought into the unit for the patient. Items may be sent home if they are considered contraband. No food or drink is permitted to be brought into the unit.

Does the program treat children with mental health distress?

The inpatient unit treats patients 16 years and older. Children under the age of 16 will be seen and treated at Windsor Regional Hospital-Metropolitan Campus.

What is the mental health Form 2 process?

People who are experiencing mental health/addiction problems may not seek treatment believing: there is not a problem, they can address it themselves, or they have concerns about the stigma of mental health/addictions.

The Mental Health Act provides ways for the assessment/treatment of individuals without their consent, based on whether the person is:

You think they may be a danger to themselves and/or;
You think they may be a danger to others and/or;
You think they are not able to care for themselves in a way that puts them in danger

A form 2 application will need to be submitted to a Justice of the Peace.