CAMH's Mental Health and Metabolism Clinic provides consultation and assessment for clients with severe mental illness experiencing metabolic problems or medication-related side-effects.
Intended For
Individuals with severe mental illness who are experiencing metabolic problems or medication-related side-effects such as weight gain and diabetes. Service is available on an inpatient and outpatient basis, as well as MD-MD consults.
Referral Requirements:
Physician referral required. Please call your doctor.
Additional Referral Details
The CAMH Referral form must be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner. Have your clinician complete the form online or fax the CAMH referral form to Access CAMH at (416) 979-6815.
Please include Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1C and lipids from within last 3 months.
If possible, please include height, weight, waist circumference and BP.
Include the reason for referral (ie: weight gain, metabolic syndrome, medication review, etc)
Please ensure their contact information is up to date including GP
If scheduling with a case manager or delegate is appropriate, please include this information in the referral
We provide consultations, and limited follow up for people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) who are at risk for, or currently experiencing metabolic disturbances such as: psychotropic related weight gain and/or other metabolic adverse effects.
All referrals must either have an MRP (GP or psychiatrist) who is managing their mental health and prescriptions and who will follow up with treatment recommendations from the metabolic clinic. The consult note will go the referring physician
We are unable to provide primary management of diabetes and hypertension given the multisystem aspects involved in its care. Patients with diabetes and/or hypertension must have a GP.
We do not offer primary psychiatric care. We work in collaboration with treating psychiatrist or family physician.
We do not have expertise in eating disorder behaviors. The only exception to this rule is antipsychotic-induced binge eating symptoms.
What we offer
Consultation with psychiatrist around choosing and optimizing psychotropic medication to minimize metabolic adverse effects
Pharmacological strategies to address risk for, or occurrence of metabolic disturbances associated with treatments of SMI
Guidance around metabolic monitoring (we do not offer long-term metabolic monitoring as our service is time limited)
Guidance around lifestyle interventions, including a consult with dietician
Opportunities to participate in clinical trials (semaglutide, metformin, topiramate)
Short-term follow up if needed, case by case basis.