Crisis Intervention & Specialized Short-Term Services

Mental Health First Response Team (MHFRT)

Chatham-Kent – 1-866-299-7447
Sarnia Lambton – 1-800-307-4319

The Mental Health First Response Team is available for people who may be experiencing mental health problems or crises and is also available for people who are looking for guidance on how to support someone close to them. Services include telephone crisis intervention (mental health assessment, suicide intervention), referrals, and family support. This team is also available to healthcare providers seeking assistance navigating community resources.

Discharge from Hospital Planning

Provides assistance to referred individuals who are preparing for discharge from the Mental Health In-Patient Unit at Bluewater Health. Assistance may include help with housing and finances, as well as referrals to appropriate community resources.

Available in Sarnia Lambton and Chatham-Kent.

Justice Services

Support is provided to individuals who have a mental illness or addiction concerns and are involved with the Justice System. When indicated, the CMHA worker can assist by advocating for court diversion. When court diversion is not possible, the CMHA worker can provide support and guidance in navigating the court system.

Available in Sarnia Lambton and Chatham-Kent.

Mental Health Engagement Response Team (MHEART)

A partnership with CMHA, Bluewater Health, OPP and Sarnia Police, the team is comprised of a Registered Nurse or Social Worker who travels with police to provide a rapid mobile crisis response to individuals who have mental health and/or substance use concerns. The team will engage individuals in crisis, de-escalate situations and provide an assessment that connects people with needed treatment and resources. The team also facilitates hospitalization, as needed.

Available in Sarnia Lambton.

Mental Health and Shared Services Team (MHASST)

Developed through a partnership with Lambton County Shared Services, the team provides brief service to adults (16+) in receipt of Ontario Works funding. They assist with accessing services and supports to address complex needs including social determinants of health, poverty, homelessness, mental health and substance use concerns.

Available in Sarnia Lambton.

MobileCare, Community Health Outreach

MobileCare is a clinic on wheels that travels to both urban and rural communities and locations across Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton. With our partners in each county, our goal is to increase access to primary care, mental health care, addictions services, withdrawal management services and community referrals. MobileCare is a free walk-in service, no appointments are necessary.

Details about the MobileCare schedules, locations and services can be found on the MobileCare website or on our social media:

MobileCare Chatham-Kent (Facebook) (Instagram)

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP)

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) offers free, short-term, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults experiencing depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related concerns.

Learn more about OSP

Available in Sarnia Lambton and Chatham-Kent.

Psychotherapy Program

The Psychotherapy Program provides a time-limited, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach to managing depression and anxiety. CBT helps the individual to increase their awareness of negative thought, feeling and behaviour through self-monitoring and psychoeducation. The focus of this service is on areas of illness education, symptom management and on wellness and relapse prevention planning.

The Psychotherapy Program also provides a 20 week Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills Group. The DBT Skills Group is for those who have self-harming behaviours and for those who struggle with managing their emotions. The Group focuses on building skills within four areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

Available in Sarnia Lambton and Chatham-Kent.

Rapid Assessment Intervention and Treatment Program (RAIT)

The RAIT team provides unique mental health services in partnership with Primary Health Care Providers. RAIT services are provided to individuals who have limited access to mental health services. The interdisciplinary team will complete an assessment and develop a treatment plan in collaboration with the individual and their Primary Health Care Provider. The RAIT team is comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, psychotherapists and client care assistants.

Sarnia Lambton RAIT Referral Form: Single Point Access For Mental Health Referrals

Available in Sarnia Lambton and Chatham-Kent.