Child and Adolescent Outpatient

Referrals for Services

As of November 1, 2023, all referrals for local child/youth mental health must be made by connecting with Pathstone Mental Health.

• Self/family/parent referrals can be made by telephone 905-688-6850 ext 8 or by completing the online referral form.
• Primary Care referrals can be made sending this referral to fax 905-688-0683 or by completing the online referral.

Information and referrals for other publicly funded children's service needs (e.g. developmental, and autism services) can be accessed by connecting with Contact Niagara 905-684-3407, the central information and access point. Primary care, parents/guardians and self-referrals are all accepted and are to be sent to Contact Niagara fax: 905-684-2728 or contact-niagara.emhware.ca. 

For additional information with helpful details that will assist with applicable community referrals, please read the info sheet available in English and French. 

Children’s Mental Health Crisis Services

Children’s Mental Health Crisis services are delivered by the Outpatient Mental Health (OPMH) team embedded within the Psychiatric Evaluation & Response Team (PERT) at the Marotta Family Hospital. Services provide crisis assessment, intervention, referrals and short-term follow-up for children and youth up to their 18^th birthday presenting with acute mental health concerns at one of Niagara Health's Emergency Departments. Services are available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with an internal referral process only, as this is not a community service.

Support includes:

• comprehensive psychosocial and suicide risk assessments
• collaborative safety planning
• crisis intervention
• supportive counselling during acute distress
• follow-up contact
• referrals and coordination with psychiatry, interdisciplinary hospital teams, families, schools, and community providers to promote continuity of care and timely connection to ongoing mental health supports.

Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Services

The Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health services at Niagara Health provide short-term counselling support for children and youth (from age 10 up to their 18th birthday) experiencing mental health concerns and who are not in crisis or imminent risk. 

Services focus on issues such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, anxiety and depression and where there may be an impact in day-to-day functioning. A variety of treatment modalities is utilized, according to the individual and their particular needs. Services are available in three locations across the Niagara Region at our Niagara Falls, Welland and St. Catharines sites. 

Psychiatric Consultation Services

This is a one-time consultation for children and youth from age 3 up to their 18th birthday, specializing in diagnostic clarification and pharmacological treatment with the understanding that the referring primary care provider is responsible for the implementation of recommendations.

The psychiatric consultation requires a primary care referral and is NOT an ongoing counselling/therapy program. On-site services are available at the St. Catharines Site and via videoconference at the Niagara Falls and Welland sites.

Download Referral Form  Access our While You Wait list of resources