I was a former CAMH patient in 2020.
I admitted myself to the Emergency Room late in the night last month because I was having some intense suicidal ideation (because of all the shit I was dealing with all at once, of course).
I wasn’t ready to end it all, so I wasn’t in any immediate danger to myself. But once I saw a psychiatrist and talked about what was on my mind, she referred me to the Bridging Clinic.
Background: Back in 2020, I was in a more severe state of mind so I admitted myself to one of the CAMH’s Emergency Rooms in Toronto. When it was clear that I was going to kill myself, I was admitted further into the hospital where I stayed in an isolated room, and then eventually moved into a less “psych ward-esque” unit with a view of the hospital.
At first, it does look like a nice place to be, especially in a dangerous place of mind, but there’s a reason why I wouldn’t opt for this, even in my situation: Your belongings are mostly confiscated and you’re given the bare minimum essentials. I would describe it as a cozy prison cell. Remember, they’re working under the assumption you’re going to try to harm yourself or others, so you’re not even allowed to have chargers in your room (nothing that can be used as a rope to hang yourself).
It’s actually a big reason why I didn’t let myself go to a similar place in Sudbury. As someone with a disabled partner (now ex) and with cats and a house that needed to be taken care of, I didn’t have the luxury of leaving for a prolonged period of time to recuperate.
I will say, however, that if you’re looking to get a diagnosis for untreated mental illnesses, CAMH is a good bet. As I said in my poem, I was almost able to get an ADHD diagnosis but left because my ex needed me at the time, and since I was a voluntary admission, I was able to leave when I wanted.
I’ll let the pamphlet explain what the Bridging Clinic is about:
Once you sign in, there will be a bit of a wait (mine last time was one hour), but you’ll have access to wifi in the waiting room in the meantime.
I’m told there’s a revolving list of social workers and psychiatrists, so you most likely won’t see the same one you saw last time.
I already have positive things to say about the Bridging Clinic because the social worker there helped me with finding a new doctor since it won’t make much sense to keep working with my nurse practitioner in Sudbury.
(It’s still going to be a bit of a wait if I want a female doctor because I will walk on molten glass first before I ever let a male doctor be my primary physician again)
I’ll also say one of the most helpful resources there I got was the EYET (East York East Toronto)‘s Affordable Housing List.
Basically, it cuts through all the “fluff” market listings and gives you a far more digestible list of landlords who are offering places to rent.
An invaluable list for people like me with ADHD who will see a massive list and go “F**K NO!”
“But wait, Pink Suitcase, some of those places are asking for $2000+ rent!!”
Ah ha, you are indeed correct. That was my first reaction too, but, if you look closely, my social worker informed me that it’s for multiple rooms, meaning the cost can be divided among other roommates.
Which leads to one particular tip: If you have a friend or acquaintance who is also looking for a place, you can look for places together and divide the costs accordingly. Even better if you’re both best friends or best friends (wink), especially good for places that are looking for either exclusively male or exclusively female tenants.
And another very helpful thing I learned about is the Housing Stabilization Fund.
You know how landlords ask for both first and last months rent, yeah?
First off: There’s a special place in hell for landlords. And I don’t even believe in hell.
Secondly, that’s what the Housing Stabilization Fund helps with, providing both first and last month’s rent so you don’t have to take out a bank loan (good luck getting one of those if you’re a newcomer with no credit score).
My Ontario Works caseworker described it as such:
Housing Stabilization Fund is issued to people to secure housing.
It provides last months rent as long as you meet the following criteria:
1) within 85% of your total income (while on OW = $610/month) + you are renting from a property owner/legal property management (no sublets) + 3 last months rent is paid directly to the landlord.
Furniture up to $800; as long as you haven’t received these funds within the last past 12 months
OR moving expenses (not both)
2) In order to assess, you need to have confirmed address and the details need to be confirmed.
3) If you are eligible for last months rent – the money is paid directly to the landlord. You do not see the funds. It is mailed to the landlord.
How To Apply for the HSF [Source: Toronto.ca]
Other resources/places that were mentioned during my session were:
- The 519, Housing (I would personally not bother. My social worker and I left a voice message there and I sent them a desperate email on July 29th; No response. The resources on their website are helpful though)
- Friends of Ruby (Drop-in for queer youth between 18-29)
- Sistering (Drop-In, 24-hour services for homeless women including showers and laundry)
And of course, once again, the dreaded Central Intake number.
And lastly, for us crazy folk, you can wait to see a psychiatrist. However, beware that you won’t be able to see a psychiatrist all the time. When I was here at the time, the clinic was at capacity.
So the verdict: Was the Bridging Clinic helpful?
Yes, although I would deduct some points since you’ll need to be referred by a psychiatrist at CAMH first.
In other words, be having or be on the cusp of having a mental breakdown.
And to be honest, if you’re going to be homeless, that’s not going to be hard to do.
Recommendation: HELPFUL
PS. I actually got to see the same social worker I saw last time and I could see the worried look in her eyes lol
Of course I showed her this website and she’s so proud of my resourcefulness and helping others while I’m doing it.
I can confidently say I had a big stupid grin on my face the whole day lol.
“Wait, did you give it a thumbs up because the social worker likes you?! BIASED!”
Maybe.
Haha, nah. But I will also say that meeting good people goes into my recommendation at the end.
Remember: Meeting people can contribute positively to your mental health, and make the housing search a lot less hopeless.
As a little tidbit about my time, I used Tinder to meet other people after my ex broke up with me (I’m socially awkward and dating apps make it less so for me) and it was only after meeting some nice people that I was able to get out of the bottomless hole of despair I was in to seriously start looking for housing options.
But if you’re looking for me to tear into a place, just you wait until I talk about Sherbourne’s Acute Respite Care (ARC) Program. (눈_눈)
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