For professionals

Referrals
 
In general, referrals are accepted when the following criteria apply:

• an acute change in mental status that is not due primarily to substance abuse;
• recent onset of severe behavioural problems, depression or anxiety;
• suicidal thoughts and/or plan accompanied by other psychiatric symptoms; or
• acute emotional crisis precipitated by trauma.

Referrals are generally not accepted in cases where:

• the patient has chronic, non-urgent problems which have been delayed in receiving appropriate community resources, or is on waiting lists in other psychiatric out-patient clinics;
• the patient is currently under the care of a psychiatrist or has had a psychiatric assessment within the last year, unless the community psychiatrist is requesting an urgent second opinion;
• the primary problem is substance abuse, conduct disturbance, or forensic/legal assessment; or
• an assessment of physical or sexual abuse is requested.

To start the referral process, please call the Child and Youth Mental Health Outpatient Department at 604-875-2010 and the call will be transferred directly to the psychiatric social worker or nurse clinician.

The Outpatient Department is open Monday to Friday. Referrals may also be faxed to 604-875-2099. Each referral is reviewed and accepted for assessment based on the defined referral criteria. If accepted, the patient and/or family will be contacted directly to set up the first appointment.
 
Continuum of care
 
In order to provide a continuum of care, copies of the clinic team’s assessment, including treatment recommendations, will be sent to the patient and/or family, referring physician, local mental health centre, and other agencies as appropriate. These reports are usually mailed within two to three weeks of the assessment. Telephone contact with the referring physician regarding medication options and follow-up care is most often done immediately following the assessment. Referrals for ongoing community treatment are discussed with the patient and/or family and initiated by the clinic staff.