Crisis Services is a team of dedicated Mental Health Professionals committed to supporting individuals in our community experiencing a crisis.
Crisis Intervention is designed to be brief and short-term in nature.
Our team offers safe, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive care to individuals during a crisis. This service aims to provide multidisciplinary assessments of the client’s needs and, when possible, provide care or support intervention during a crisis.
Our team can also facilitate referrals to community service providers across the Algoma District. Therapeutic intervention and service referrals will be provided as necessary.
Where to Get Help? How Do I Book An Appointment?
Crisis Worker Support
24/7 telephone support service is available all age groups by calling 705-759-3398 (Toll-Free 1-800-721-0077).
In-Person Crisis Worker Support
Those in a crisis who present to the Emergency Department will be triaged by medical staff and then seen in person by a Crisis Worker.
Follow-up sessions may be offered as in-office visits.
Continuum Of Care Service Components
Regardless of what team is utilized, the Crisis Services Team strives to provide culturally sensitive care with a trauma-informed approach.
Hospital-Based Crisis Services Team
A team of Registered Social Workers and Registered Nurses with expertise in Mental Health Care.
This team primarily sees patients in the Emergency Department between the hours of 8:00 AM to midnight. However, they may also be called in overnight to address emergency situations.
This team provides 24-hour Crisis Telephone Support and can dispatch the Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) team for community visits as appropriate.
Individuals may call 705-759-3398 or 1-800-721-0077 for Crisis Support, information on community programs, or if interested in Mobile Crisis Response support.
Mobile Crisis Response
Teams of two Crisis Social Workers who provide support in low-risk situations to individuals in need and who are willing to meet and speak with the team in mutually agreed-upon community locations (ex. a home or a coffee shop). The team will arrive in an unmarked vehicle and in plain clothes.
NOTE: The Mobile Crisis Response Team is unable to apprehend or bring individuals to the Hospital.
If interested, individuals are encouraged to call Crisis Services at 705-759-3398 or 1-800-721-0077 to request this service. As this service is based on the individual’s needs, a Crisis Worker will determine if this service is available and appropriate.
Teams are available daily in; Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, and Elliot Lake from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT)
This team consists of a Sault Area Hospital Crisis Worker (a Registered Social Worker or Registered Nurse) and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services; both with expertise in Mental Health.
They respond to individuals in the community in severe crisis who may need to come to the hospital for their safety or the safety of others.
A crisis assessment and crisis intervention will be provided, and depending on safety needs the individual may be apprehended under Ontario’s Mental Health Act and brought to the hospital for an Emergency Physician Assessment.
The MCRRT is appropriate for those who may have safety concerns and may be unwilling to come to the hospital.
They are dispatched by calling the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department at their non-urgent line: 705-949-6300.
Available 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Transitional Case Manager
A Transitional Case Manager bridges the gaps for patients seen by the MCRRT team. They help link those individuals with their health care team members in a time-sensitive manner.
Available Monday- Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Additional Information
If you are unsure about what community supports are available to meet your needs, please call Crisis Services and they can help you determine which services would be appropriate to meet you or your loved one’s individual needs.
Hours of Operation
In-office 7 days per week 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Workers on-call throughout the night for emergencies
24-hour Crisis Line: 705-759-3398
Toll-Free: 1-800-721-0077
Crisis Services in the Algoma Region
Crisis Assessments via OTN (video conferencing) are offered at Lady Dunn Health Centre in Wawa at the request of staff during daytime and weekday hours when there is an absence of other services. Mobile Crisis, including assessments at the hospital, are offered in Wawa on evenings and weekends. This is accessed by calling the Sault Area Hospital Crisis Line. Mobile Crisis is also offered in Elliot Lake on evenings and weekends, including assessment at St. Joseph’s General Hospital – this is also accessed by calling the Sault Area Hospital Crisis Line (note that daytime services are offered through the East Algoma Counseling Centre).
Crisis Services - FAQ
The Mobile Crisis Response Team – the team without police members, made up of two social workers– can only be dispatched if someone is willing to speak with them voluntarily.
Encourage your loved one to call Crisis Services at 705-759-3398; a skilled Crisis Worker can help them work through any challenges they are facing.
If they are unwilling to speak with someone, or you are worried about an imminent risk to their safety, call Sault Ste. Marie Police Services immediately at 705-949-6300 for a wellness check.
No, you are welcome to remain anonymous.
However, if you choose to give your information, this helps our Crisis Services Team provide better care, as it reduces you having to re-tell your story every time you call and helps our team best meet your needs.
Calling Crisis is entirely confidential, any information you provide is protected, and will not be shared with your employer.
However, our team does have a duty to report if we think there may be a risk of someone hurting themselves, others, or if a child is at risk.
If you are concerned about an imminent safety risk, call Sault Ste. Marie Police Services at 705-949-6300 to report your concern and request the MCRRT team be dispatched to provide a wellness check. If the MCRRT team is not available, our local police service will conduct a wellness check.
However, if you are unsure if this is needed, call Crisis Services at 705-759-3398 and our team can help you navigate any scenario or safety concern.
If you are experiencing a Crisis during daytime hours and feel it is an emergency, do not wait to go. Our team is available from 8:00 AM – Midnight, so the best time to go is during these hours.
Only under Emergency Circumstances will a team member be available overnight.
Call Crisis Services at 705-759-3398 and they can see if you meet the criteria for a visit from the MCR team.
It is the MCRRT team that has this capability as they arrive in a police vehicle with an officer, not the MCR team which is two Social Workers in plain clothes.
Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, Elliot Lake & surrounding areas in the Algoma District. If unsure if your location is covered, call Crisis Services.