If You Require Emergency or Crisis Support
If your situation is urgent, life-threatening, or you are experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department
ConnexOntario provides information and support for mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services in Ontario.
This service is free, confidential, and anonymous. ConnexOntario can help connect you to services in your area and may assist with identifying Mobile Crisis Response Teams, where available.
This service is free, confidential, and anonymous. ConnexOntario can help connect you to services in your area and may assist with identifying Mobile Crisis Response Teams, where available.
How do I access behavioural support services?
There are several ways to connect with Behavioural Support Services for older adults across Ontario. Depending on your region and care setting, a healthcare provider may make the referral, and in many areas you, a family member, friend or other care partner, or a community service provider can start the process. Some regions refer through long term care or hospitals, or may not accept direct referrals.
Use these steps to access referral information in your region and learn more:
- Find your region - Use the map and read the descriptions below to see which region covers your location. You can also find your region by asking your healthchare provider..
- Review referral requirements - Each region may have a different process for making a referral. Make sure to read the services below carefully.
- Submit a referral - Contact the organization listed for your region, or ask your healthcare provider to make the referral on your behalf.
What to expect after a referral is accepted
Getting in touch
A member of the BSO team (or a similar local team) will contact you, your substitute decision-maker (if applicable), or your care partner. This first conversation is to listen, learn more about what’s going on, and explain how BSO can help. Consent must be given for any further BSO involvement.
Initial assessment
The BSO team will conduct an initial assessment to help determine your behavioural health needs. This may include discussing changes in behaviour and what might be contributing to these changes.
Support in action
Based on the findings of the initial assessment, the BSO team will implement a behavioural care plan, share practical ideas, tools, education, and coaching. When appropriate, they may also provide hands-on support. The goal is to help everyone respond in ways that are safe, respectful, and centred on you.
Staying connected
The team will stay involved as needed, working alongside you and your care team to monitor how things are going and how strategies are working. Plans can be adjusted over time, and additional supports or services can be explored if helpful. In some regions, support may be offered for a set period of time, while in others it may continue based on your needs. If your needs change, BSO support can be revisited in the future.
Regional Services
Region:
Toronto (South of 401, East of Islington)
Referral or general inquiries phone number:
Office address:
Baycrest Hospital 3560 Bathurst St 1R09 M6A 2E1 Toronto ON
Office hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding holidays
After hours support information:
Available by phone on weekends 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding holidays
Regional referral form/links:
Special instructions and additional information:
The common referral form is triaged via central intake at our office for all BSO programs in all sectors in Toronto Central legacy LHIN region, as well as for Community and LTC referrals in the Scarborough subregion (in legacy CE LHIN region). The Office also provides central intake and triage for all Virtual Behavioural Medicine Program referrals, which is a province-wide program that provides specialized pharmacological support of responsive behaviours.
If you are in Toronto but outside of the Baycrest service area pictured above, choose one of these providers:
North of the 401 and West of Humber River/Eglinton Ave
Contact information:
Hours: Daily 8:30am-8pm
Main phone number: 905-796-0040
Toll-free: 1-888-733-1177 (Ontario Health atHome)
Email: zzgcentralwestbso@peelregion.ca
Main phone number: 905-796-0040
Toll-free: 1-888-733-1177 (Ontario Health atHome)
Email: zzgcentralwestbso@peelregion.ca
Regional referral form:
North of the 401 between Humber River and Victoria Park Ave
Contact information:
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
Main phone number: 1-844-798-6920
Main phone number: 1-844-798-6920
Regional referral form:
South of the 401 and West of Islington Ave
Contact information:
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding holidays
Main phone number: 905-278-3667 ext 307
Main phone number: 905-278-3667 ext 307
Regional referral form:
There is no wrong door. Whoever you contact will ensure you get connected to the service provider in your area.