Crisis Intervention Centre now named Mental Health and Crisis Services

Quinte Health’s Crisis Intervention Centre has a new name: Mental Health and Crisis Services (MHCS) – changed to better reflect support available to people in the Quinte region.

Located in the WCA Wing at Belleville General Hospital, MHCS provides free, confidential mental health support for individuals aged 16 and older. No referral is required, and people can reach out by phone or walk in for support.

The new name better reflects the care the team provides today: approachable, supportive mental health care available to people at many points in their mental health journey, said said Peter Schroth, Crisis Counsellor and Team Leader, MHCS and 988, Quinte Health.

“Language matters, particularly when someone is deciding whether to reach out for help. We want people to know that our team is here whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling with your mental health, worried about someone you care about, or experiencing a crisis. You don’t need to know exactly what kind of help you need before contacting us. Reaching out can be the first step.”

The name change followed a consultation process that included patients and people with lived experience, community partners, health-care providers and Quinte Health team members. Feedback reinforced the importance of a name that is clear, welcoming and better reflects the breadth of mental health support available through the service.

People can contact Mental Health and Crisis Services if they are:
– Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed or emotionally distressed
– Struggling following a loss, relationship breakdown or significant life change
– Concerned about their mental health
– Experiencing symptoms of mental illness
– Supporting a family member or friend who may need help
– Looking for timely mental health support and unsure where to begin.

No referral is required.

Quinte Health Chief of Staff Dr. Colin MacPherson and Program Director Tracey Giles join members of the Mental Health and Crisis Services team in front of the new signage at the WCA Building at Belleville General Hospital.

While the name is changing, the team and services available remain the same. The MHCS team provides mental health assessments, crisis response and stabilization, short-term counselling and support, safety planning, information and guidance, connections to community resources and other services, and support for family members and caregivers.

Walk-in services are available at Belleville General Hospital, WCA Wing, Fourth Floor, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scheduled outreach appointments are also available at Trenton Memorial Hospital and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, with phone or virtual appointments available for individuals in the Centre and North Hastings area.

Crisis phone response is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (routed to 988 overnight from 11pm to 7:30am).

Call: 613-969-7400 ext. 2753 or toll-free: 1-888-757-7766.

For people experiencing suicidal thoughts or a suicide crisis, the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is available anywhere in Canada, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling or texting 9-8-8.

Quinte Health is one of the service providers supporting the national 9-8-8 network. Where appropriate, local individuals calling may be referred from 9-8-8 to Mental Health and Crisis Services for local assessment, support and connection to ongoing services.