The Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Program at IWK Health improves access to care for children, youth and their families. As a Primary Care Physician or community clinician, you are important partners in care. Here is how you can get help for children and youth.
Making a referral
By phone
To refer a patient or family by phone, call toll-free 1-855-922-1122.
By fax
To refer a patient or family by fax, download and complete the Central Referral form and fax it to 902-464-3008.
The current wait time for a first appointment (called a Choice Appointment) is approximately three months.
Once you have made a referral, please tell the youth/family to call Central Referral at the number below and book their own appointment. If you worry that a family will not call, feel free to make a telephone referral when the family is in your office—Central Referral can give them an appointment time before they leave your office.
Managing Crises and Emergencies
Crisis
When a patient or family is in crisis, they should call the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team at 902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167.
Telephone support is available 24/7. Mobile, onsite response is available from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Emergency
Patients or families with psychiatric emergencies should go to their nearest emergency department.
IWK Psychiatry Consultation Service
Physicians can request psychiatry consultations or one-time assessments from an IWK child psychiatrist. The Psychiatry Consultation Service is for physicians who will continue to care for the referred patient’s mental health/addictions problems, but who need the advice of a psychiatrist to do so. Consultations can be provided by phone. Patients can also be referred for a one time visit to focus on diagnostic clarification or psychopharmacological advice.
Requesting a consultation
Complete the Psychiatry Consultation Referral Form and fax it to Central Referral at 902-464-3008.
Consultation by phone will be scheduled within three working days, and consultative assessments will be scheduled within four weeks.
Download a copy of “Getting Help”.
Psychology for you
“Psychology For You” is an education series offered by the IWK Psychology Discipline and their partners as a free, public service to our Maritime Community. View our Psychology for You YouTube channel for video archives of our sessions.