Children's Mental Health Services

Provides individual, group, couple and family therapy to children, youth and their families experiencing mental illness.

Treatment is provided using a variety of interventions to children who experience

• mood problems with impairment in functioning (health, learning, family, socialization)
• anxiety problems with impairment in functioning (health, learning, family, socialization)
• trauma-related experiences with impairment in functioning (health, learning, family, socialization)
• suicidal behaviour
• psychosis
• complex social, emotional, behavioral problems should be screened in as case coordination and referral may be required. These may include children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, complex trauma, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder etc.
• behavioral issues that are significant and present in multiple settings, consider assessment before referral to other agencies. These externalizing behaviors may be a sign of mood or anxiety disorders

Children who would be referred to other health care services or community agencies for a first intervention include:

• diagnosis for pervasive developmental disorders, should be referred to the family physician or other specialist assessment
• tic disorders and tourettes would be referred to family physician for specialist referral
• grief, separation and loss without associated functional impairment. The initial referral would be to school based or school linked services or to a community resource if available and/or to a walk in clinic where this service exists when some impairment is identified
• referrals related to disorder eating should be referred to physician and dietitian for follow up. Staff may be involved in case conferencing and planning for services
• substance use problems are referred to Addiction Services where substance use is primary
• psychoeducational and learning assessments will be referred to Education. Some clinics may have a wider range of services available. The assigned therapist will discuss available services with the client