Continuum of Care – Service Components
The Adult Inpatient Mental Health
As part of our Schedule 1 facility, we provide short-term, acute care to adults (18 years or older), and who are experiencing acute symptoms of serious mental illness.
The inpatient milieu is designed specifically for adults who, as the result of a psychiatric disorder, are acutely ill and unable to manage in the community. Care includes psychiatric assessment, stabilization, treatment and transition planning utilizing a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach.
Admission is on the recommendation of a psychiatrist or by their designate. Upon admission, we will review mutual expectations and our policies related to our commitment to health and safety, medication and medical needs, cell phone usage, visitors and treatment planning.
Hours of Operation
24-hours a day. 7-days a week. 365-days per year.
Available Facilities
The unit has a variety of facilities built-in which provide enrichment and programming for the patients throughout their stay:
- Lounge – A comfortable space for relaxation and socialization between groups and programs.
- Quiet Room – A space for socialization and recreation without a television.
- Fitness -Use of the equipment is supervised for safety, and open to use by any of the patients.
- Activity Room – Ample space and supplies for various recreation and wellness activities
- Therapeutic outdoor Activities & Greenhouse (weather permitting) – A supervised green space, open for use for wellness activities, gardening and conversation.
Transitional Outpatient – Mental Health Services
CTO is a joint partnership between Sault Area Hospital and Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma. A Community Treatment Order (CTO) is a comprehensive plan of community-based treatment, care and supervision for clients who suffer from a serious mental disorder who stabilize with treatment in the hospital, and after discharge stop treatment, care and supervision resulting in a relapse of illness and readmission to a psychiatric facility.
CTO services are flexible, individualized and include:
- Symptom & medication monitoring and support
- Interpersonal support
- Financial assistance and budgeting support
- Assistance to obtain secure appropriate and affordable housing
- Crisis support
- Rehabilitation and prevent relapse of illness.
A referral can be made by calling the CTO Coordinator at Sault Area Hospital or CTO Case Manager at Community Mental Health Support Services.
To reach the CTO office at Sault Area Hospital, please contact the main phone line at (705) 759-3434 ext. 4218. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Location: 170 East Street, Suite 204
Sault Area Hospital is part of the Regional Eating Disorders Program, which is a community-based outpatient assessment and treatment program. Services are offered to children, adolescents and adults (along with their families) suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder and mixed syndromes.
The Program provides assessment and treatment services to individuals and families throughout North-Eastern Ontario in partnership with the Sault Area Hospital, North Bay Regional Health Centre and Timmins & District Hospital.
Additional information for the Regional program in Sudbury is available here.
The clinic is staffed by a Registered Nurse who provides education, assessment, long-acting medication administration, and support for psychiatric patients. In collaboration with community partners.
For more information, please contact Sault Area Hospital mainline at (705)759-3434 Ext 4610
Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) is for those 18 and older, who have complex bio-psycho-social needs due to severe and persistent mental illness. Intensive treatment, rehabilitation and support include assertive outreach, supportive counselling medication monitoring, skills building and advocacy provided by a multi-disciplinary team including; psychiatry, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, recreation, peer support and addictions counselling.
Our care aims to support individuals with their daily efforts to independently function in the community, minimizing hospitalization, income loss, housing displacement and conflict with the law.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm
Phone: 705-253-9671
Location: 170 East Street. Suite #204
This program of early intervention is to assist young people ages 16-35 to cope with their first episode of psychosis. Our care aims to provide prompt assessment and comprehensive, medical and psychosocial treatment for individuals experiencing psychosis who have not been treated in the past.
The patient/family needs and the stage of illness guide the intensity of the treatment. Early intervention greatly increases the potential for successful recovery.
More information about psychosis can be found at www.psychosis101.ca
Contact: (705) 759-3434 Ext. 7025 or 7022
The Psychiatric Out-patient Clinic provides psychiatric assessment, consultation and brief follow-up treatment for patients with moderate to severe mental health needs. The clinic is staffed with Registered Nurses and Masters prepared Social Workers providing evidence-based individual and group treatment.
Provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis, ECT is a safe and effective medical treatment for depression, schizophrenia, and mania. It is administered under a general anaesthetic with a muscle relaxant. The time to complete the treatment is short, and requires a few hours at the hospital.
ECT services provided include acute and maintenance treatments, with ongoing follow up throughout the treatment course. A course of treatment requires on average between 8 and 12 treatments; on average, two times per week.
Contact: Sault Area Hospital mainline at (705)759-3434 Ext 4600
Responsible for psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, consultation and care plans for primarily adult inpatients including follow-up care for discharged patients and outpatients referred to this service.
Contact: Sault Area Hospital mainline at (705) 759-3434 Ext. 4615
Provides psychological assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the emotional, behavioural and cognitive functioning of individuals and groups with moderate to severe mental disorders.
Interventions to facilitate the functioning of individuals and groups may include psychological counselling, group or individual psychotherapy and consultations to assist other health care providers.
These services are available to in-patients and discharged patients referred by a physician/psychiatrist.
Contact: Sault Area Hospital mainline at (705)759-3434 Ext 4600
Adult Mental Health - FAQs
At this time, the Acute Inpatient Psychiatry Unit is following all SAH COVID-19 visitor restrictions policies.
If you would like to bring items for your loved one, please note that the unit has a specific restricted articles policy:
DO BRING:
- Sleepwear (pyjamas, nightgown, robe, slippers)
- Casual clothes –You are asked to dress in such a way as is socially acceptable. Space for clothing is limited. Please limit clothing to three changes.
- Personal toiletry items (soap, toothbrush and paste, hairbrush, comb, shampoo, sanitary supplies)
- Electric razors only (no disposable or bladed razors)
- A small amount of money (coin) for payphones and vending machines. Do not keep any more than $10.00 on the unit.
- Anything that requires an electrical plug-in, with the exception of CPAP machines for sleep apnea, will be kept at the nursing station. All electrical equipment must be Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved, grounded and have a 3-pronged plug.
OF NOTE:
- Medication, including all over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies and vitamins must be turned in to the nursing staff. They may be returned to you on discharge.
- Cell phones are not allowed on the unit and will be locked at the nursing station.
DO NOT BRING:
- Important papers, credit cards, valuables such as jewelry, decorations for the rooms and luggage.
- Restricted articles such as sharps, mirrors, razors, razor blades, nail files, scissors, tools of any kind, knitting needles or glass objects. Matches and lighters must be left at the nursing station.
- Personal blankets and pillows are not permitted due to infection control prevention guidelines.
- Controlled or illicit substances, including marijuana.
Some articles may be kept at the nursing station for safekeeping.
The hospital cannot accept responsibility for the loss of any personal property.
Sometimes, if the psychiatrist has assessed a patient and has determined that their current state puts them at risk of harm to themselves or others, or that if the patient is released without treatment they would continue to decline, the psychiatrist may choose to initiate an involuntary hold or detention of the patient.
This is a change in legal status, which allows the patient to be detained within the psychiatric facility for the purpose of maintaining safety and treatment of mental illness.
Patients have rights under the Mental Health Act and are given information about their rights on admission and during their stay, as well as opportunities to contact rights advisors, and if requested, legal assistance to contest a change in status if they disagree with the physician’s findings.
More information about Patient Rights under the Mental Health Act can be obtained by calling the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office at (toll-free) 1-800-578-2343 or visit www.ontario.ca/page/psychiatric-patient-advocate-office
Family members are important partners in treatment. We realize that the Mental Health Act may seem restrictive to you, especially at times when you want to be involved in care.
To protect a patient’s confidentiality, information can only be released with the consent of the patient.
Staff members are available to discuss your concerns. Educational literature and videos on various mental illnesses and medications are available.
Please contact staff for more information.
Your doctor and treatment team will discuss plans for your discharge in advance, if possible, so the most appropriate plans can be made. Staff can help you with planning your discharge. A discharge plan may include follow-up appointments and referrals to the appropriate services, and a prescription sent to your pharmacy.
Please make sure you have all of your personal belongings and valuables when leaving the hospital.
Yes, this service is covered by OHIP.
The majority of patients remain on medication to help maintain wellness.
There is potential for recent and remote memory gaps, this is monitored before, during and after treatment. Many patients have improvements in memory as their depressive symptoms improve.
Yes, it is covered by OHIP.
Yes, this service is voluntary.
Yes, is covered by OHIP.
Additional Resources – Related Links, Community Partners etc.
Local Resources
Community Care Access Centre
Resources for living in the community
705-949-1650
Crisis Services (SAH)
Support for individuals in crisis, using a safe, trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally sensitive approach.
705-759-3398; (toll-free) 1-800-721-0077
Sault Area Hospital
Acute care hospital serving patients in Algoma district.
705-759-3434
Sexual Assault Care Clinic & Partner Assault Clinic
A specially trained team, medical concerns 24/7 on-call through the Emergency Department at Sault Area Hospital, as well as counselling by appointment.
705-759-5143
Canadian Mental Health Association – Sault Ste Marie Branch
Provides mental health and addictions support services within our community
705-759-0458
Algoma Public Health
Local public health agency providing services to the Algoma district
705-942-4646
Central Access and Information Service in Algoma
Provides information on mental health and addictions services available in the Algoma district and links people to the appropriate level of service.
Available by calling 705-759-5989 or in the District 1-855-366-1466
Email: information@cmhassm.com
In-person at: 386 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sault Area Hospital DETOX Services
Operated 24/7 offers crisis help for those in withdrawal as well as for people facing mental health challenges.
Call: 705-942-1872
Regional or National Resources
Health811
24/7 confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. NOT FOR EMERGENCY
From a mobile phone or landline you can dial 8-1-1 to be connected, as well as (toll-free) 1-866-797-0000; (toll-free TTY) 1-866-797-0007
Click here for their website.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
24/7 counselling and crisis intervention to all indigenous peoples across Canada
1-855-242-3310
Regional Warm Line
Pre-crisis peer support
1-866-856-9276
ConnexOntario
24/7 mental health and addictions system navigation and information
1-866-531-2600
BounceBack
Skill-building over the phone for adults and youth 15+. Manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Speak with a coach, view videos, and access support tools
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline provides information about problem gambling services in Ontario.
1-888-230-3505
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO)
This site will provide you and your loved ones with information about behaviour changes in older adults. Public Health resources, practical tips, wellness strategies, Family Care Partner resources and more.
Mental Health and Addictions in COVID-19
Coping with stress, Anxiety, and Substance Use During COVID-19
Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), in partnership with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), has created a fact sheet to support the mental health of people in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario Covid-19 Mental Health Network
A network of Ontario-based mental health professionals dedicated to supporting frontline COVID-19 health care workers.