Helping you access the services you need in eastern Ontario

Looking for support for your mental health, substance use health and addictions? Navigating the complex and sometimes confusing healthcare system can be challenging. We can help.

One starting point.

One referral. 

One assessment process. 

What is AccessMHA?

AccessMHA makes it easier to help find mental health, substance use health, and addictions support, services, and care. We eliminate the guesswork and work with you to refer you to the services you need, all while supporting you through the process. After reaching out to us, you will be paired with a trained mental health, substance use health and addictions intake specialist who will connect you to the services you need from a network of partner organizations.

AccessMHA is brought to you by Regional Coordinated Access (RCA), a group of health care partners in eastern Ontario.

Learn more about us

Eligibility

Who is it for?

Age Requirement

AccessMHA is for individuals 16 and older.

→ If under 16, please view the local child and youth resources here.

Service Area

Our coverage includes parts of eastern Ontario.

View our service map

Service Need

AccessMHA helps those in need of support with finding services for mental health, substance use health and addictions. 

Get Help Now

If you need help and support, and are not sure where to go, we will help connect you to the service you need.

Get Started

AccessMHA is not a crisis service. If your substance use health, addictions or mental health needs are a medical emergency, or if there is a concern you might hurt yourself or someone else, contact 9-1-1, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. You can also click here for a list of  crisis  services.

Getting Started

Connecting you to help

You can view the service areas and a list of resources that may be helpful to you here.

Enter address and book an appointment

Enter your address using the map above to find the AccessMHA hub nearest to you. Select a call back time that works for you. Then, fill out our secure and easy online form. You can also ask your family physician or health care provider to complete a referral for you.

Speak with AccessMHA staff

After filling out the form, you will receive an email notification and appointment reminder. At the selected time, a staff member will contact you by phone to confidentially discuss your needs and figure out the next step.

After your first call you may be:

  • directly connected to services offered by one of our partners. If you need a service our partners can’t provide, we will do our best to link you directly to another local service.
  • connected with a person with lived expertise of mental health challenges and/or substance use health/addictions to help you understand the process and get connected to other peer-based services.

We also encourage you to check out this list of online resources that are available to you immediately.

Looking for more information?

Explore our Mental Health, Substance Use Health & Addictions Resources

For those looking for help

Check out this list of resources that are available to you immediately.

See Resources

For clinicians and professionals

Resources to help them connect patients to the appropriate services.

See Resources

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • What is AccessMHA?

    AccessMHA is a program that assists people in accessing services for mental health and substance use health, and addictions issues.

  • Who can access AccessMHA services?

    Anyone aged 16 years or older residing within our service area can access AccessMHA for assistance in finding services. Our coverage extends to various regions in Eastern Ontario, for more information on our current service areas, please click here.


    If you or your loved one is under 16 years old and located in Ottawa, Pembroke, Cornwall, Hawkesbury, and surrounding areas, including the counties of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Prescott-Russell, and Renfrew, please contact 1Call1Click.ca for guidance.


    If you are situated in the counties of Leeds and Grenville please contact Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville, Lanark please contact Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, and Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington please contact Maltby Centre, and Hastings, Prince Edward, please contact Children’s Mental Health Services of Hastings and Prince Edward.

  • How can I access services if I am under 16?

    If you or your loved one is under 16 years old and is located in Eastern Ontario please contact one of the organizations below, depending on where you would like to access services

  • Can I apply for a family member or loved one?

    Yes! You can request service for someone else, but they must be aware of the request and must agree to participate in the screening and assessment appointment.

  • Do I need a physician or healthcare provider to do the referral?

    No, you can refer yourself for AccessMHA services. Some services accessed through AccessMHA may require a physician or nurse practitioner referral, but the AccessMHA staff will assist you with the process if a referral is required.

  • What happens when I apply? What can I expect?

    When you fill out the online form,  you choose a time for an AccessMHA staff member to call you and discuss your needs. After the call, you may be referred to one of AccessMHA’s partners for ongoing services, or staff may assist you with finding the right service from another local organization.

  • What can I expect from Peer support?

    Peer support members have lived experience of mental health and/or substance use health and addiction challenges. They will listen to your needs, help you understand the process and answer any questions you may have. They can also connect you to other peer-based services.

  • I have more questions or need help filling out the form.

    Please email inquiries@accessmha.ca and someone will be in contact with you.

  • Are there any costs associated with AccessMHA? What about the services that I may be matched to?

    AccessMHA is funded by the Province of Ontario and there is no cost to use it. After your initial appointment, an AccessMHA staff member will connect you to partner organizations that offer the mental health, substance use health, and addictions services best suited to your needs. Many of these services are free but some charge a fee on a sliding scale or are subsidized. The staff member will let you know if the services have fees associated with them so you can make an informed choice that works best for you.