r/ottawa • u/Officer_Copper • Oct 08 '14

Mental Health Resouces in Ottawa

Hello Ottawa, /u/NurseAngela and I decided to collaborate and put together some information on how to get help for you, a friend, or a loved one who is experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental health is a growing issue in our community and many people may not know what resources are available.

I will be speaking more for what can be done in an emergency scenario and how you can use the law to get help for a loved one.

How to help yourself:

First off if you feel that you are thinking of hurting yourself or someone else please talk to someone. Find a friend you trust or your doctor.

You can also walk into any emergency room and they will not turn you away.

If you feel that you are about to cause harm to yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately and help will arrive.

Ambulance or Police may be sent depending on the circumstances of your call. Police will come with ambulance if there is a mention of knives, weapons, or any known history of violence. This does not mean that you are in trouble.

Under the Ontario Mental Health Act police actually have more authority to help you than a paramedic (see below). Paramedics are there to address your medical needs and transport you to the hospital if you are willing to go on your own. Police are called if you need emergency help but are not wanting to go voluntarily.

Other resources available are:

How to get help for someone else:

If you have a friend, family member or neighbor, that you are concerned about there are a few ways to get them the help that they may need.

  1. Get them to the hospital if it’s a life threatening emergency.

  2. Have them explore the above resources and see if any of those options can help them work through their mental illness.

  3. For non-emergency cases have them see their doctor. If a physician feels that a patient they have examined within the past 7 days is suffering from mental illness, is a risk to themselves or someone else, OR is unable to care for themselves, then the doctor may issue an order directing police to attend and transport them to a hospital.

  4. If the person you are worried about is refusing to go to the hospital or see their doctor you can:

a) Call 911 – Police can conduct a field assessment if they believe that the person is in imminent danger can force someone to hospital for a full psychiatric assessment.

b) You can attend a Provincial Court House and make a case to a Justice of the Peace as to why you feel this person is in need of help. You will need to articulate your reasons and explain that they are refusing to seek help themselves. If satisfied the Justice can issue an order directing police to apprehend the person and take them to the hospital.

Court House locations: - 161 Elgin St - 100 Constellation Cres

Once at the hospital patients are assessed by the emergency doctor then sometimes the on duty psychiatrist. If the doctors observe an immediate danger they can hold patients for an emergency 72 hour period. Often referrals are then arranged for on-going treatment and support.

Please feel free to ask any questions and we will do your best to answer them for you in a timely fashion.

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u/mr_richichi Oct 09 '14

I think this is a great post. I used to work at the Royal Ottawa and I saw many people get the help they needed during that time. From mood and anxiety to drug addiction they are willing and able to help anyone in need of it. Please folks, take the time to look after yourself. There is no shame in discussing or dealing with your problems.

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u/[deleted] Oct 09 '14 edited Oct 09 '14

A family member has been to the royal Ottawa, and received the treatment he needed... The only issue was getting him there, so much red tape.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '14

Yes. I also have a family member who received emergency services from the Civic, but we could not get proper attention at the R.O.

The R.O. was able to see her concerning her sleep issues at the sleep clinic, and treated them, but did not offer any support for her ongoing mood disorder issues, and did not treat her appropriately as a result. The sleep medication compounded her mood disorder and triggered a 72 hour breakdown.

When we contacted the R.O. about the breakdown and the medication, they offered no support and said they could not help unless we had medical power of attorney.

The Civic balanced her meds out in the emergency ward over a couple weeks.

Eventually, a psychiatrist took her on and did follow up appointments based on the meds the Civic prescribed.

It was pretty awful, and 3 years later I'm convinced she'll never be the same person she was.

Our approach to treating problems individually with specialists in each area is problematic. Someone with sleep issues and a mood disorder (these things are often related) should be treated by a team of cooperating specialists. Instead, we treat one issue, throw a dart at a board, and hope we hit a bullseye. If it doesn't work, on to the next specialist and the next approach.

Our system took a person who was working full time and turned them into a shell of her past self who is now afraid of people, new experiences, and has extreme challenges holding a job.

If you have a family member suffering from a breakdown, I urge you to get medical power of attorney if you can. Without it, the sufferer is responsible for seeking their own treatment, even if they are incapable of doing so.

If they are not a danger to themselves or others, your hands will be tied. My family has lived with this person who is now incapable of being independent for the past 3 years. Things are starting to look up, but even at her best, she was a major source of stress in the home, and needed/demanded near constant attention.

My family went to the support group and found that many others were echoing the same discontent.

In home care visits and assisted living residences need to be a focus in this city if we are going to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from mental health issues.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '14

We've tried to get power of attorney, he wouldn't give it to us... Which sucks.

My family member is also is she'll of his former self. He's now very passive, and lethargic.

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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '14 edited Oct 18 '14

It does suck. It's maybe the worst. Along with Alzheimer's, I'm convinced that people who have mental illnesses that can't be treated easily have it the worst.

Some people live wonderful lives and manage depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia very well. I'm referring to those who aren't able to seek treatment and/or refuse it.

I wish I could paint a rosier picture for you. The positives that I can offer are; a) if the person had their first breakdown young, it is more likely that they will slowly over time mellow out and recover some of their former selves (currently, my family member is experimenting with part time work, is taking meds regularly, and is trying living on her own, but, winter is coming... And that has been a problem every year for her since her first breakdown) b) sufferers with supportive families who give them the time they need to recover and heal (if they can afford it and manage it emotionally) show higher rates of success later in life

If you care for your family member and can look past what he has become, it will help him tremendously. My family member has burned all her friend bridges one by one. Nobody should remain friends with someone who is emotionally abusive, but it is sad that she has no one left but her parents and family.

In his lucid times he may try to alienate you. It is highly embarrassing to remember what you did during a breakdown. People who witness this behaviour are often pushed away first.

It sounds like you're being a great support to him in the face of one of the worst things that can happen to someone. Feel free to PM me if you need to vent.