Mental Health Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get more information about mental health? 

Web links

• HealthLine Online
• Canadian Mental Health Association
  http://www.cmha.ca/ (National)
  http://www.cmhask.com/ (Provincial) 
• Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan
• Mental Health Commission of Canada

When should I seek mental health services?

In general it is a good idea to seek professional help for a mental health problem when:

• A symptom becomes severe or disruptive;
• A symptom becomes a continuous or permanent pattern of behaviour and does not respond to self-care;
• Symptoms become numerous, affecting many or all areas of your life, and do not respond to self-care or the help of others;
• You feel out of control, extremely anxious or deeply depressed;
• You are thinking about hurting yourself or someone else.

How do I access community mental health services?

Contact your Regional Health Authority for both Adult, and Child and Youth, Psychiatric Rehabilitation services.

What can someone do in situations if a family member or friend doesn’t realize he/she need help?

• Emergencies
  • contact their family physician, or
  • contact your mental health clinic, or
  • call the HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002, or
  • if someone is at risk of harming themselves or others call 911.
• After hours
  • contact your mental health clinic, or
  • call the HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002, or
  • if someone is at risk of harming themselves or others call 911.

What does that mean if someone is “certified” on an inpatient mental health unit?

If someone is certified on the inpatient mental health unit it means that they meet the criteria under Section 24 of The Mental Health Services Act ( have this be a live link to the QP web site to the legislation) to be detained against their will on the unit. The criteria are:

1. the person is suffering from a mental disorder and can only be treated on an inpatient mental health unit because community services won't currently meet their needs;
2. as a result of the mental disorder the person is unable to fully understand and make an informed decision about what they need for treatment;
3. as a result of the mental disorder the person is likely to cause harm to himself or others or worsen if they are not treated in an inpatient mental health facility.

Two psychiatrists will assess the person to determine if they meet the criteria, and if they do they will sign a Form G to certify and involuntarily detain the patient for up to 21 days.

What rights do I have if I am “certified”?

A lawyer, called an official representative, will come and visit you on the unit within 24 hours of being certified. They will advise that if you want, you can appeal the certification and the official representative will help you with this. This service is free of charge.