GUELPH – The Adult Intensive Services model through the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) has revolutionized the way people with severe mental illness receive care around the world.
CMHA WW took the best of this model and made it suit the needs of the region’s residents. The model includes those with addictions, who were previously excluded from complex care teams focused on mental health.
It is an important addition, as many people living with severe substance use issues do not have the supports they need.
People supported by Adult Intensive Services receive customized individual and group-based treatment grounded in recovery.
It includes relationship building, personal goal and recovery planning, support with medication issues, service and system coordination, assistance with crisis management, connecting to formal and informal supports, practical supports in multiple life areas, and advocacy.
The program is expanding into Guelph and Cambridge and CMHA WW is measuring a decrease in the clients need for service to measure success.
Adult Intensive Services recognizes the recurring nature of serious and persistent mental illness and is able to flex the level of care to match the needs of the person.
