Improved access to mental health services in seven CLSCs of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Est

LONGUEUIL, QC, Sept. 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The population of the territory of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de la Montérégie-Est now benefits from better access to local mental health services. Youth and adult clients can now get the care they need more quickly and easily.

As part of the government's actions to improve access to mental health care and services for the population, the government wants all CLSCs in Quebec to be able to offer the population simplified access to services, with and without an appointment.

Face-to-face mental health reception, analysis and referral services are available, with and

without an appointment, within an hour or less, in seven CLSCs in the territory of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est according to the following schedule:

Weekdays - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLSC des Maskoutains (Saint-Hyacinthe), de la MRC-dActon (Tuesday to Friday), Simonne-Monet-Chartrand (Longueuil), de Longueuil-Ouest, de Boucherville, des Patriotes (Beloeil) and Gaston-Bélanger (Sorel-Tracy))

Weekdays - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
CLSC Longueuil-Ouest et des Patriotes (Monday and Wednesday)
CLSC des Maskoutains et Simonne-Monet-Chartrand (Tuesday and Thursday)
CLSC Gaston-Bélanger (Monday to Friday)

Saturday - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLSC des Maskoutains, Simonne-Monet-Chartrand and Gaston-Bélanger

Sunday - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLSC Gaston-Bélanger

The CLSC schedule and contact information are available on santemonteregie.qc.ca.

Telephone reception or appointment is also possible from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as on statutory holidays at 1 833 771-3716 for anyone who needs help for themselves or a loved one. It is also possible to reach a psychosocial intervention professional at any time at Info-Social 811 (811, option 2).

Quotes:

"CLSCs play an important role in access to front-line mental health services. They are easily accessible and their services are well known and appreciated by the population. It is for this reason that several efforts are being made throughout Quebec to provide increasingly accessible local services. We are on the right track as the number of people waiting for front-line service, both in adult mental health and for young people, continues to decrease. »

Lionel Carmant, Minister Responsible for Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Montérégie Region

"CLSCs are at the heart of access to local care, both in mental and physical health. They are an essential gateway that is recognized and appreciated by Quebecers. Thanks to the sustained efforts made throughout Quebec, front-line services are now more accessible than ever. The results are there: the number of people waiting is decreasing for both adult and youth mental health. This is proof that our network is moving in the right direction and that the CLSCs are making a concrete contribution to building a more humane health system that is closer to the needs of the population. »

Shirley Dorismond, Member of Parliament for Marie-Victorin and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Social Services

Highlights:

• In addition, crisis services and adapted trajectories are in place for people who need to be taken care of very quickly in the eastern part of the Montérégie. Mixed intervention services with police officers and local psychosocial teams and crisis support services are also present in all territories. In addition, a collaborative relationship is formalized between mental health services and family medicine groups (FMGs) as well as the Primary Care Access Portal (GAP) to facilitate access and continuity of services.
• These services are part of the implementation of the Mental Health Access Mechanism (MASM), whose objective is to improve access to specialized mental health care and services for the general population, while considering the specific needs of vulnerable populations and remote areas.
• It is therefore at the MASM, through the teams in place, that the person's needs are assessed, and that, without a diagnosis, an initial intervention can be offered to direct him or her to the most appropriate and relevant service. Depending on the stepped care model used, first-line treatments or short-term interventions may be provided at MASM, in the same way that MASM may refer to psychological or psychotherapy services or specialized services for more complex and intensive needs, depending on the assessment of the person's needs.
• Finally, it should be noted that the 2022-2026 Interministerial Action Plan on Mental Health includes actions and collaborations with 10 government departments and agencies and several other partners, including community partners. It implements actions that support access to care and services, and promotes complementary intersectoral projects to improve the continuity and quality of these care and services.