Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is part of the social integration measures.It represents a way of organizing the clinical work of an interdisciplinary team in a coherent and integrated manner, including psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation and support services to people with severe mental disorders.
ACT services individuals with severe mental disorders whose condition are unstable and fragile. An interdisciplinary team approach is necessary for the treatment of these disorders and therefore must include the participation of a physician, according to the PASM 2015-2020.
Supported by a large number of rigorous experimental studies, and recognized as an evidence based practice, the ACT program is becoming a model of reference in a growing number of countries around the world.
Persons served by ACT
ACT is indicated for individuals who are:
- In their late teens to their elderly years who have a severe and persistent mental illness causing symptoms and impairments that produce distress and major disability in adult functioning (e.g., employment, self-care, and social and interpersonal relationships).
- Diagnosed with a severe psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder)
- Struggling with addictions problems or behaviors that undermine their social integration
ACT is intended for people who have:
- Poorly controlled symptoms (frequent visits to the hospital and emergency services)
- Avoided or not responded well to traditional outpatient mental health care and psychiatric rehabilitation services
- Severe functional disability and impairments preventing them from adequately performing their daily living activities in the community.
- Co-existing problems such as homelessness, substance abuse problems, or involvement with the judicial system
- Significant functional deficits with employment, ADL-AVD, and maintaining a social network
- Difficulty maintaining their level of autonomy
- Require assistance from an assertive community treatment team intensive to stay healthy in the community
* These consumers represent 3.5% to 5% of the clients with a serious mental disorder in a population of 100 000 (70 to 100 people).
Counsellors
Olivier Jackson, advisor ACT
olivier_dot_jackson_dot_cnesm_At_msss_dot_gouv_dot_qc_dot_ca
Guy Lagacé, advisor ACT
guy_dot_lagace_dot_cnesm_At_msss_dot_gouv_dot_qc_dot_ca
Target clients
The services offered by the ICM team are for people who:
- Have a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder)
- Do not receive regular services
- In most cases, have been rehospitalizedOften present with concomitant disorders (alcoholism / drug addiction, trouble with the law)
- Often present with concomitant disorders (alcoholism / drug addiction, trouble with the law)
- Experience major difficulty in functioning normally in the community
These patients make up about 20% of people with severe mental health disorders who regularly receive mental health services (0.7 to 1 person per 1000 on average).
Documentation
Consult the documentation to have a list of all the clinical tools used by ACT teams in Quebec.
Symposium presentations
