Case management services provide intensive long-term support for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness - some of whom may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. They may have a concurrent disorder (mental health diagnosis and problematic substance use), be in conflict with the criminal justice system, or incur frequent hospitalizations as a result of their mental illness. Community support workers and clients work together to develop goals and a plan for these individuals with the intent of eventually transitioning out of mental health services. Approximately 1,100 clients receive case management services through the Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) collaborative. Individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness where the illness is causing significant disruption to functioning i.e.) homeless, or at risk of being homeless, frequent hospitalization, etc. We annually receive $498,000 of core funding from the Ministry of Health and the Champlain Local Health Integration Network. Our Value Added Services, Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing Supports and Upstream Psychiatric Assessment Clinic (see below) are not covered under our core funding. Upstream Ottawa provides numerous added value services to our clients that are not provided at other mental health agencies. None of these services are funded - because of generous donors, we are able to continue to provide these services to clients. This program was developed by women for women. It helps to promote camaraderie, recovery and healthy lifestyles. We currently manage 1 2-bedroom furnished apartments and 1 5-bedroom group living unit. This is a monthly luncheon for our clients that provides a safe environment, that promotes recovery through social networking and recreational/educational activities. We operate this monthly luncheon in conjunction with the Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa Branch and the First United Church in Westboro. Clients who are actively engaged in educational or vocational pursuits may apply for funding to support various informational and technological needs For example, a client who is going back to school may apply for a laptop and internet access OR a client who is re-entering the workplace may apply for a computer in order to help access the job market, apply for positions and keep their IT skills up to date We try to make these outings inclusive for all our clients as much as possible. An example would be a movie night with popcorn. This provides a social and interactive experience for the clients to help aid their progress towards recovery. Our clinic offers a psychiatric assessment service designed to reduce lengthy wait times & increase access to mental health services in our community. That means faster access to support when help is most needed. The Upstream Psychiatric Assessment Clinic (UPAC) provides indirect psychiatric assessment consultation to community partner agencies. This service is provided under contract with The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group and their team of youth and adult psychiatrists. The scope of the clinic is limited to participation in case conferences and client-centered consultation. The UPAC utilizes Sessional Funding, made available through the Champlain Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, to compensate the psychiatrists. Upstream fundraising revenue is utilized to fund administrative component of the clinic. Kindly consider making a donation to keep this valuable community resource running! Sessional funding accommodates a variety of “indirect” psychiatric services provided by psychiatrists and general practitioners which are not covered as: insured physician services or components of insured physician services; global hospital budgets; or where no other sources of funding have been identified. Indirect services are divided into seven general areas: participation in case conferences, client-centered consultation, staff-centered consultation, program-centered consultation, program direction, provision of educational services and system coordination.
What is mental health case management?
What services do we provide?
Our case management philosophy:
Who we serve:
Funding:
What makes our services unique?
Upstream Psychiatric Assessment Clinic
Review our Assessment Clinic Check List here
Download the Assessment Clinic Referral Form
What is Sessional Funding?
Many thanks to my wonderful worker and other staff. I honestly don't know where I would be now without these services. I hope to see Upstream flourish and continue to be in the community for a long time.
To apply for case management services from Upstream, or any other Mental Health Community Support Service partner agency in Ottawa, an application form must be submitted to Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) via the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ottawa Branch. For more information about this centralized access portal please contact: Referrals may be made to MHCSS by: Note: *Upstream Ottawa only accepts referrals from the MCHSS central access portal, as indicated above, and are unable to take referrals directly. Additionally, our housing supports are only accessible through our Mental Health Case Management program. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs & services. Please contact us at:
Accessing our services
Download an application form
Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa Branch, Intake and Assessment Worker 301-311 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa, ON. K1L 8M3
T: (613) 737-7791
F: (613) 737-7644
T: (613) 248-3330 ext 401
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