Access Mental Health

Started to explain, lady said I* I have to interrupt u** she then asked why you call? I started again repeatx 3Then, she says transfer you for more resources I sak where she say, you donna have to know, and I donnta have to say, I say why she say you jydt wait some one gonna answer de phone.I say you abusive..have right to know...hang up and dial tone.Waste of time

I've been referred to them dozens of times the last 6 years or so. Can never get a hold of anyone, long wait times, no call backs despite voicemails, missed appointment times & the hours of operation makes it wildly inaccessible to a lot of people. It sucks that medical professionals either having to make the referrals for programs or therapy themselves or referring to Access Mental health for long term care or assessments that are inaccessible or difficult for them to refer patients to. There needs to be a better system for individuals with chronic illnesses including complex mental health issues that aren't addressed by short term counselling especially for low income individuals who don't have the monetary ability to access ongoing care.

They could use an updated phone system that gives wait times and automatic callbacks. (One star review at first and feeling very pessimistic after reading through google reviews)They do have voicemail though if one is comfortable using it and they called back within an hour. The lady on the phone was proficient and kind. She asked a few questions and advised me on the next steps that she would take and I would take. I’m thankful for her help and friendly (albeit tired) attitude.I have edited my review as such and will continue to update.

Access Mental health is where they send you when they don't know what to do with you because they don't know what's wrong with you. Then they throw you in all these programs that don't help you and then they just leave you to figure it out on your own.

They Keep sending me for to various clinics for help who then reject me for being too sick or not sick enough, then I am sent back to access mental health and the process repeats, the current wait time is 14 months to 2 years for help its quite deflating to keep going through this process to just be told no

Due to higher than normal call volumes I was told to leave a message and they would get back to me in a 2-3 business days. My GP referred me in March, it's now July and I've heard nothing from them which is why I called. In no way does this qualify as health care"!"

I appreciate everyone in these reviews exposing just how terrible this poor excuse of a “mental health treatment centre” truly is. It disgusts me how so many people were forced to experience such blatant disrespect and invalidation simply for reaching out for help at their lowest.I’m 16 and have been struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts ever since I was 11. It’s taken me years to even build the courage to reach out for help via a mental health service. And even then, it feels like nobody ever bothers to take any of my struggles seriously, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I was referred here by both my school guidance counsellor as well as my family doctor, both telling me how Access Mental Health was supposedly “the best treatment centre in the province.” Absolute bs. These reviews are literally the first result to appear when you search for this place, I have no idea why they thought potentially sending me here would actually help me. The way this province handles mentally ill individuals is honestly disappointing to say the least. There’s such a severe lack of empathy, compassion, and accessible resources that so many rely on to survive. Not to mention how utterly rude and ignorant many “professionals” are when dealing with people who are in a state of crisis.I never asked to struggle nearly my entire life with a mental illness, I don’t understand why myself and others are punished for being mentally ill, and told its our fault for simply hurting. I’m honestly so tired, myself and many others deserve much better.

I've had two different times where I've called Access Mental Health and both have been exactly what I expected. Long wait times are very unfortunate, but it is a public health service, so I didn't expect something overly quick. The agents I've spoken with have always been very caring and pleasant. The first time I got referred to a program that ended in me finding a good medication, and the second time I used the service I was given a list of clinics that offer the specific kind of therapy I was looking for. For a free service I thought it was quite good.

My personal experience has been great. My one on one therapist is caring and is well versed in the group DBT I also attend. This service has helped me overcome a great deal.Even through Covid, I have had access to my therapist through phone sessions & will be starting DBT again over zoom very soon. Everyone there is working really hard to continue providing much needed mental health care, now more than ever.There will likely be a wait but get on that wait list & be patient! This is an underfunded FREE service! They do the best they can with what they have. There are also a number of other services in the city like The Calgary counselling center, YWCA & the mental health crisis centre that can offer help and if your in a real pinch,Text 45645 5PM to 1PM in canada and a safe caring person will text you back immediately And continue to text with you. It’s a free service to anyone who needs someone to talk to.

Really disappointed with where I was placed after waiting nearly 10 months. The woman I spoke with in my placement was rude and it felt like she wasn't listening to me at all. She asked the same questions more than once as if I hadn't just answered them. She asked if I had experienced any type of loss recently after I just tearfully explained the loss of my dog to her moments before. I feel totally uncomfortable to be vulnerable. I don't know what to do now that I've waited so long to get in.