Acute Home Based Treatment (AHBT) offers short-term care as an alternative to hospital for clients with mental illness, who are currently experiencing a worsening of their symptoms, in their home setting.

What to expect

The AHBT team visits your home to discuss your symptoms and prescribe and monitor medications as required. The number and length of visits depends on your care plan. If you already have a psychiatrist, the team doctor will collaborate with them to coordinate your treatment. When you are feeling better, you can return to the services in your community that meet your needs.

Who's eligible

To be eligible for this program you must be:

  • 17 years and older
  • Living in Richmond, Vancouver or on the North Shore
  • Experiencing a worsening of symptoms or distress due to mental illness and/or substance use concerns.
  • Willing and able to accept care at home.

You cannot participate in this program if you are:

  • Actively suicidal or at risk to harm others.
  • Not living in a safe home environment, for example there are weapons or other individuals with a history of violence in your home.

To access this program, you must be referred by a medical professional such as a doctor, case manager, or nurse. See information for each community below.

AHBT Richmond

Client must be referred by health-care professional. The Acute home-based treatment program - Richmond referral form must be completed by a case manager, mental health clinician, physician, nurse practitioner or midwife and faxed to (604) 244-5487.

Please call (604) 204-1111 for more information.

AHBT North Shore

Acute home-based treatment is short-term, mental health treatment in your home. AHBT service is for people experiencing an increase in symptoms or distress related to mental illness or substance use. A team will visit your home to discuss your symptoms and prescribe and monitor medications as required.

Phone: (604) 984-5000 

AHBT Vancouver

Client must be referred by a health-care professional. The Vancouver Acute Home Based Treatment Program Referral Form must be completed and faxed to (236) 429-3664. 

For more information about the program please contact the Vancouver AHBT team at vancouverahbt@vch.ca or call (236) 982-0558.

Find this service near you

OR
  • Other

    Acute Home-Based Treatment (AHBT) - Richmond

    7671 Alderbridge Way Richmond
  • Acute Home-Based Treatment Program (AHBT) - North Shore

    This is a home-based service operated out of Lions Gate Hospital