Local community services centres (CLSCs)

The mission of local community services centres (CLSCs) is to provide routine, front-line health and social services to the people of the territory they serve. They also handle public health activities. Integrated health and social services centres (CISSSs) and integrated university health and social services centres (CIUSSSs) ensure that people who need such services for themselves or their loved ones are contacted, that their needs are assessed, and that the required services are provided at their facilities or in the people’s living environment, i.e., at school, at work, or at home. Where necessary, they will ensure that these people are referred to the services best suited to their needs.

In addition to physical health services for Quebecers, CLSCs offer general services that include clinical activities and assistance with specific social problems. When someone has symptoms or a mental disorder, they can receive mental health services at any CLSC.

The services that CLSCs provide differ by service location. They include:

• Routine health services: consultation with a nurse, blood sample collection, vaccinations, contraception, emergency oral contraception, etc.
• Front-line health services: consultation with a physician, consultation with a primary care nurse practitioner or other member of the interprofessional team, with or without an appointment
• General social services: intake, analysis, guidance, and referral (AAOR) services—the CLSCs’ gateway for social and psychological requests; the 24/7 crisis response team; psychosocial intervention in the context of civil security; and social and psychological consultation for specific difficulties
• Mental health services: a multidisciplinary team that may include specialized mental health nurse practitioners or physicians, who provide assessments and work with adults and youth with mental health symptoms or disorders. However, no medical referral or diagnosis is required to receive mental health services at a CLSC
• Rehabilitation and reintegration services
• Public health activities: follow-up for people with chronic diseases, STI screening and prevention, etc.

Go to the Finding a CLSC  page to see the facilities available in your area, the services they offer, and their hours.

Improved access to and services in mental health means that people can be referred to the right service at the right time by healthcare professionals with the right expertise, including those from psychiatric teams, when required.

The CLSCs of the following CISSSs and CIUSSSs are currently in the process of enhancing access to the following mental health services:

• CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal  (in French only)
• CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale  (in French only)
• CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches  (in French only)
• CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest