There are a few different routes you can go down when consulting a professional for a mental health concern.
This is not a list of every possible way to seek help for your mental health, however it is a breakdown of the main professionals that are available in Quebec, the services they offer and the different access points to get in contact with one.
Mental Health Professionals
Family doctor
Seeing a doctor can be a good place to start your journey of seeking help for your mental health, especially if it’s your first time doing so.
If you have access to a doctor, they can:
Evaluate your mental health needs
Rule out other physical causes for your problems
Help you come up with a plan for your care
Refer you to other professionals if necessary
Follow up to see how you’re doing
If you don’t have a family doctor, you can sign up for the wait list of the Québec Family Doctor Finder. If you need to see a healthcare professional while you’re waiting to be placed with one, you can do so through the CIUSSS Primary Care Access Point (GAP) of your territory. The GAP service allows you to see a healthcare professional for a one-off, non-urgent or semi-urgent matter while waiting to be placed with a family doctor - you can access it by calling 811 and selecting option 3.
Psychologist
Psychologists are experts on behavior, emotions, and mental health. They are trained to help people going through psychological distress or difficulties. They have a Ph.D. in psychology and are trained to assess mental health, come up with treatment plans, and provide therapy.
If they think their patient needs medication, they can recommend that this patient consults a doctor who can begin the process of prescribing certain medications or referring them to a psychiatrist who can do that.
A way to find a psychologist is to search for one on the official Order of Psychologists of Quebec website. You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist, but you can get one from your doctor who can help you find one.
Therapist
Therapists (our counselors) usually have a masters degree and are trained to assess mental health problems and provide treatment through counseling methods, or other therapeutic techniques. This usually looks like teaching skills to their patients that can help them improve their well-being.
You can make an appointment with a counselor on your own, and you don’t need a doctor to refer you to one. Their fees are not covered under provincial health plans, so unless you have private insurance you may not be covered.
The Montreal Therapy Center offers counseling services, and they even offer discounted rates for those who are eligible for their sliding scale.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors that diagnose and treat mental illnesses, prescribe medication, and offer counseling.
If your doctor decides that you could benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, they can refer you to one (you can’t make an appointment with one without a referral).
Adults can also be referred to a psychiatrist through the GASMA service which is the point of contact at the CIUSSS for mental health or psychiatric issues.
Others Professionals
There are many other professionals that can assist you with your mental health. If you consult with a doctor or call 811 you could be connected to a nurse, social worker, or occupational therapist. If you have the means, you can also access them privately without a referral.
Community Support
Community Organizations
There are many community organizations in Quebec that offer peer support groups, activities to improve well-being and other resources that can help with your mental health.
They can also offer you support in other areas of your life that can be affected by your mental health, like with cooking, advocacy, employment, or learning practical skills.
You can find a list of community partners in NDG that offer services to youth at the NDG Youth Table Website.
You can also contact 211 to find out about services available near you in Montreal.
Peer and Group Support
Support groups are a way to connect with others that may be going through something similar and who understand what you’re going through. There are formal support groups that are led by a mental health professional or casual groups of peers.
For example, My Relief offers peer support groups for individuals living with anxiety, depression or bi-polarity, and Vent over Tea offers one-on-one trained peer support online or in person in Montreal.
Crisis centers
In a situation of crisis, you may want to reach out to your local crisis center. These are organizations that offer specialized crisis services and are open 24/7. They offer help to anyone over 18 experiencing a crisis, whether it's due to a specific situation or a mental health problem.
You can find your local crisis center here.
Take-home message
There are many different paths to seeking help, and the one that’s best for you depends on your unique situation! By taking the first step to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, you’re already one step closer to getting better and improving your circumstances.
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