Who are these services intended for?
Assertive community treatment (ACT) services are intended for adults aged 18 years and older living with a severe and persistent mental illness.
Their illness must have a significant effect on their social functioning and integration.
For example:
- Resistant to traditional psychiatric treatments
- Significant functional impairment
- Illness-related behavioural disorder
- Housing stability or legal issues
- High use of health services
- Failure of other less intensive services
Services
Service intensity
One of the strengths of the ACT model resides in the intensity of its services. The clientele in question responds better to services that are more intensive, but shorter. As a result, follow-ups are frequent and short.
Services offered
Services are needs-based.
The ACT teams provide support in several areas of life:
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Substance abuse
- Living environment/housing stability
- IADLs/ADLs/daily living
- Law
- Work/school
- Social relationships
- Finances
Interventions vary based on the user’s needs, involvement, availability, and intervention plan, among others.
Types of interventions:
- Weekly follow-ups
- Medication supervision
- Occasional interventions
- Support
- Filling out forms
- Making calls
Benefits
The benefits of community-based follow-ups by a team trained in the ACT model are many, and include:
- Reduced rates of psychiatric re-hospitalization
- Shorter hospital stays
- Greater housing stability
- Better engagement in treatment
- Greater residential independence
- Improved positive and negative symptoms
- Improved overall functioning
- Improved re-entry into the job market
How can I benefit from these services?
You must send a medical or professional service requisition to:
Coordinator, Psychotic Disorders Continuum Program
Marguerite Szczygiel
Telephone: 514 761-6131, extension 2511
Fax: 514 762-3047
Email: marguerite.szczygiel@douglas.mcgill.ca
Contact details
Douglas Mental Health University Institute
6875, boulevard LaSalle, Verdun, H4H 1R3
Newman Pavilion, 3rd floor
Fax : 514 888-4481
ACT Team A
Telephone : 514 761-6131, poste 2258
Email : equipe-sim-a.douglas.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
ACT Team B
Telephone : 514 761-6131, poste 2268
Email : equipe-sim-b.douglas.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca