Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program is a community-based, recovery model of care for individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness. ACT assertively reaches out to clients where and when they need help – directly in the home and in the community.

ACT brings an inter-professional team of healthcare workers together, including psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, therapeutic recreation and vocational rehab therapists, to provide you with highly integrated and individualized services. ACT gives you a single point of access – one door to comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation, and support.

Click here to view the Assertive Community Treatment brochure.

Goals

ACT works with you as an active participant in your care with the goal of promoting independence and stability, having better control of mental health symptoms, decreasing the likelihood of hospitalization, and achieving an overall improved quality of life.

Referrals

If you are interested in ACT, you are encouraged to discuss it with your current treatment team or physician. Eligibility for receiving ACT services is determined through collaboration with you, ACT staff, the referral source, and other mental health care providers.

Inclusion Criteria

18 years and older.
Diagnosis of an Axis I serious mental illness, i.e. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or related psychotic disorders.
Have severe symptoms and impairments that impair functioning in community living.
Have not benefited from traditional outpatient programs.
Needs services greater than 3 times per week.
Frequently uses mental health services i.e. Mental Health Police Teams/Emergency Department/Crisis Services.
Multiple recent hospital admissions (50 days in the last year or 150 days over last three years).
Not engaged with other community mental health services.
Have significant functional impairment in at least two of the following: Recovery, Symptom Management, Health and System Navigation.

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals with a primary diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, substance abuse disorder, or dementia are not the intended or appropriate client groups.
Noncompliance with medication adherence in itself is not a reason for ACT.
Traditional case management services or other attempts at treatment including CTO (Community Treatment Order) and SDM (Substitute Decision-Maker) have not been attempted.

Cost

ACT services at CKHA are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Services are provided at no cost to you upon presentation of a valid OHIP card.

Contact

Chatham-Kent ACT
321 St. Clair Street
Chatham, Ontario, N7L 3J8
519.355.0667

Hours

Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Role of Families and Friends in Promoting Safety

Family members and friends play an important role in patient safety. Encouraging attendance of appointments, taking medications and asking to be involved in understanding and facilitating treatment plans is recommended among family members and friends. If family members and friends have serious concerns about a loved one’s safety and well-being, please utilize the Mental Health First Response Team by calling 1.866.299.7447 or visit the nearest Emergency Room as needed. You are always allowed to provide us with information however; we may not be able to relay information/feedback to you directly regarding the patient. Thank you for your role in promoting patient safety.