Our Services

The Cleghorn Program

The Cleghorn Program offers coordinated services to individuals experiencing early signs of psychosis. Our services include:

• the optimal use of low-dose medications
• support with goals related to school, work, recreation, residence, and social relationships
• specialized support to family members and/or friends

Psychiatrists, nurses, family educators, psychologists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, and recovery support workers use their specialized training and expertise to provide interdisciplinary care tailored to each person's developmental stage and phase of illness.

Cleghorn Program staff work in partnership with the client, his/her family, family physician, and other caregivers/professionals the client would like to include. Recovery goals are generated together.

While the main focus of the program is direct service to clients, indirect services include:

• early detection
• community education and capacity-building
• student education
• research
• program evaluation

Cleghorn Program Goals

1. To continue to build on the existing infrastructure to create a cohesive, effective early intervention program.
2. To support people who are in the early stages of a psychotic illness to attain overall well-being, achieve their goals, manage their illness, and participate in their community.
3. To provide education and consultation to health professionals and other members of the community so that they can identify the early signs of psychosis and provide the necessary support to their clients.
4. To reduce the burden on resources and associated financial costs in other areas of the mental health and health system, social services, educational institutions, and workplaces.
5. The Hamilton Office of the Cleghorn Program fulfils a central coordination, planning and advisory roles for satellite programs in South Central Region. Current satellite locations exist in: Haldimand (in collaboration with Haldimand-Norfolk Mental Health Program), Six Nations (in collaboration with Six Nations Mental Health Program), West Niagara (in collaboration with West Niagara Community Mental Health Program), and the Region of Niagara (in collaboration with Regional Niagara Mental Health Program).
6. To meet the needs of communities in South Central Region that do not have early intervention programs by providing extended consultations. This service will include psychiatric assessment, family education, neuropsychological and personality assessments, occupational therapy assessments, and the development of client-centred treatment plans.