FAQs

What is a Form 1?

A Form 1 is also referred to as APA (Application for Psychiatric Assessment). The Form 1 allows a doctor to hold you in a hospital for up to 72 hours to complete a psychiatric assessment. This assessment is to determine whether you require the care and supervision that a psychiatric hospital can provide. Within the 72-hour period, the doctor must decide to do one of the following: Release you; make you an informal or voluntary patient; make you an involuntary patient; or the doctor may decide to admit you as an involuntary patient. See http://www.ppao.gov.on.ca/inf-for.html (Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office) for more information.

I'm fearful that my family member may be a harm to himself or someone else. He has threatened suicide and/or admit to having violent thoughts about others but I can't convince him to go to the hospital. What do I do? Who should I call?

If a person will not come to the hospital voluntarily call 911 and request EMS or NRP safety/welfare check. When possible, try to be at the location with your family member when Emergency personnel arrive. Explain the situation and tell of anything your family member has stated or threatened and give information about past experiences with this family member or any family history. Also, if your family member has a mental illness diagnosis make sure the Emergency Personnel are aware of this. If the Paramedic or Police Officer assess the situation and agree that your family member may be a potential risk to themselves or others they will bring them to the nearest hospital for risk assessment.

I've called Crisis three times and left messages but they never call me back. What is wrong with their number?

If you are having a mental illness crisis, proceed immediately to the nearest Emergency room (St. Catharines General Hospital, Welland County Hospital, or Greater Niagara General Hospital). Click here for there hours of availability.

Community Crisis Care workers are often with clients in the Emergency Room and therefore not by their office phone. Messages are checked throughout the shift, and the Crisis worker will return the call as soon as they can. If the Crisis worker returns the call and there is no answer they will not leave a message for confidentiality, privacy, and safety reasons.

Also please note that Community Crisis Care workers are NOT Counsellors, so all phone conversations are kept brief.

If you need immediate support during your crisis situation and/or are in need of resource information please contact the Distress Centre at 905-688-3711.

I meet the criteria for one of CMHA Niagara's programs so how do I apply?

Call our main referral, intake and resource line: 905-641-5222 for more information and to set up an appointment with an intake counsellor.

I'm interested in volunteering with CMHA Niagara so how do I apply?

Call our main referral, intake and resource line: 905-641-5222 and ask to be connected to our Volunteer Coordinator.

Does CMHA Niagara offer placement positions for individuals in programs such as Counselling, Social Services and Social Work?

Yes. CMHA Niagara welcomes applications from individuals interested in completing an internship or practicum with our agency. Please contact CMHA Niagara 905-641-5222 and ask to be connected to the Program Manager of our Counselling program. However if there is a specific program you would like to work with, please ask for their program manager.