Access & Assessment Centre

The AAC is a great idea, I felt too much pressure to "get better' as soon as possible. It felt (to me) as if they get you in, assess, if your lucky you'll get to talk with a person with an alphabet after their name. But after a few weeks calls start from them asking do you need more help? We want to close your file. If that happens, you have to start the whole process over again. It's taken me 15+ yrs., to ask for help. PLEASE don't expect me to 'know if I'm better in a short 8 weeks. AAC is a step in the right direction.

At first, I was so angry at how I was treated. I was told to "go outside, and get fresh air". However, they were right. I was able to get our of my head, and I am a happier person for it. EDIT: They will NOT help after initial diagnosis. If you are in crisis, this is not the place to go. Call 911 or head to the emergency department. Second Edit: So, I am out of my crisis now, and on the right medication. I think, there is a no bandaid solution to mental health. I like the doctors here, the one I saw helped me get out of the crisis. However, I do think more education with the nursing staff is needed, and, I think nurses could benefit from knowing that they cannot diagnose.

Helped clients access this service to mixed results, generally not good in a crisis as they are way too overworked and underfunded/resourced. Very hard to get through on the phone, especially in the afternoon or evening. When I did a walk in for myself, I had to wait a couple of hours which was expected, the staff were all lovely. The psych nurse I saw was also very great, very in depth evaluation and I felt very heard. They do not diagnose what the main disorder I was looking to see a psychiatrist for, but after my intake I felt good about going to see one there anyways for other issues. Fast forward 6 weeks to my appointment. AVOID DR. RAJU AT ALL COSTS! I understand the mental health care system here is stretched thin. I really do. First of all Dr. Raju was late, which is fair, I assume he's very busy. But I could see him appearing to just hang around the centre chatting making small talk with staff, for about 30 minutes before looking at his watch and deciding to call me in, meaning we started the appointment quite late. As soon as we sat down he asked me a few questions, and seemed to not even read my file he had from my evaluation. He didn't mention or ask about any of the traumatic events that have greatly effected me that I brought up previously, and even after I volunteered the information again he ignored me. After about 10 minutes he decided that I was "mildly depressed" and wanted to put me on Prozac. When I said I didn't think I wanted it and would prefer looking at another option, he suggested that I was "pretty much fine", "other people have it way worse", and to "just exercise" (already do) and I would be "all better". He seemed to base the assumption that I don't exercise based on my appearance/weight which was very frustrating, because if he read my file he would have known that's not the case. I was at least able to get a referral to group CBT therapy out of him after pushing for it. Appointment with Dr. Raju was 15-20 minutes tops and felt like a humiliating waste of time. I will be calling the VCH Complaints office.

Do not, repeat, no not have anything to do with this place or any VCH mental health facility. They are rude, condescending and paternalistic in the extreme. Visiting VGH psychiatry destroyed the therapeutic relationship I had with both my family doctor and psychiatrist. The trauma the cause is still with me and they don't remotely care when they do it. I will never trust a doctor or hospital again. They rate ZERO stars.

I had a very bad experience with Dr.Akpokiere the phsyciatrist. She was rude and judgemental because I had a criminal record. She basically only focused her questions on my back ground, family history and my past charges. Acted like she had no interest in helping me and was only going through the motions. Acted like i was lying about my issues and interrogated me about the timeline and order of events happening. Spent more time on asking about my siblings and parents relationship than she did about identifying my symptoms, what i have wrong with me and how it negatively affects my ability to work or live a normal life. She breifly touched on a few things that have caused me severe trauma. I started having panic attacks right in front of her. Shaking, sobbing, muscle spasms and tears streaming down my face....then she asks....when was the last panic attack i've had?! Does this woman know what she's doing at all? So long story short I left there with her trying to put me on paxil or celexa or prozac. These are things that havent worked for me. I am already on Zoloft and its not good enough, it helped hugely but not so much that i can work or do therapy. I havent been able to work, go to a movie, eat out or go shopping in a mall for more than 5 years because of my anxiety and panic attacks. I wasnt about to try and argue with her about it when im not feeling well. So i left very frustrated and discouraged. I thought this was going to help me get to a place where i could get better...do therapy....go to work again...live normal. Ridiculous when your trying to get help and people screw you around. Im ashamed that i let her get away with that but i really cant be assertive when im having panic attacks. My experience with the Phsyc. nurse during my first appointment was great however. She was very considerate and helpfull. And she seemed genuine and that she actually cared. She understood what I was going through with panic disorder and took the time to really talk and even read my journalling to understand how things were for me. The front desk was for the most part helpfull definitely conducted themselves professionally.

The AAC has had a hand in saving my life. TW: I felt suicidal and the counseling they've provided to me has helped anchor me. It's so nice to have a rapid access clinic for mental health emergencies so that I don't have to go to the emergency department at the hospital. A big thank you to all the employees that make this place possible!

Please, if you value your one precious life, stay away from this place. I am so ashamed I referred others here through my volunteer work and that I trusted the staff here myself. I came in with post-viral insomnia & fatigue and found myself on 3 medications including an amphetamine after just 4 months seeing a psychiatrist here. The medications nearly killed me - literally - and the subsequent withdrawal (which I had to do with no support, at home with my family by my side) has left me hardly recognizable 2 years out. It is not in my nature to write anything disparaging about anyone, but for public safety I need to state here that the receptionist, ASTAT nurse and doctor I interacted with here should not be allowed to work with the public. I feel sorry for the good-hearted people who fund this institution, not knowing how much it is harming people who come in genuinely thinking they are doing the responsible thing for their health.

My experience with the AAC was wonderful. I arrived at 7:50 AM and was seen by 8:30 AM. Christine was the nurse I spoke to. She was kind, patient, and very understanding. She spent over an hour speaking with me and helping me understand my situation better. I felt incredibly cared for and heard. If possible, arrive early so you’re able to be seen quickly. I would recommend this place to anyone in a crisis.