Developmental Disabilities Mental Health Services (DDMHS) – Adult

Disability Services and Mental Health - Adult

Provided by Fraser Health

A specialized community mental health service for adults (19+) with co-existing intellectual disabilities and mental illness.
Who is Served & What is Offered?
Developmental Disabilities Mental Health Services (DDMHS) provides specialized community mental health services for individuals who are age 19 and over, who live with co-existing intellectual disabilities and a mental illness with recent worsening of mental health symptoms. The person may also struggle with significant behavioural challenges in addition to the mental illness.

What to Expect
Clients can expect:
  • A plan of care that includes the initiation or management of psychiatric medication, along with short-term therapy, psychoeducation, and recommendations for other care services in the community.
  • Resource recommendations and advocacy
  • Nursing assessment
  • Possible short-term behavioural consultation and support
  • Possible short-term adapted counselling / skills development
  • Education to care networks (i.e. families, service providers)
  • Medication monitoring and education
  • Supporting clients to live and participate in their community, with recommendations to client’s network and community stakeholders to utilize appropriate community living supports as needed.
  • Virtual, home, and community visits
  • Psychoeducation groups

Group Services:
The psychoeducational groups provide practical skills, emotional support, and a safe space for participants to learn alongside others. Most groups require both client and caregiver participation.
Eligibility includes:
  • Mild intellectual disability (IQ 50–70)
  • Age 19 or older
  • Individual must be under a doctor’s supervision if they have psychiatric medications (can be a family doctor or a nurse practitioner)
  • Ability to participate in group discussions and attend sessions consistently

Dealing With Feelings (DWF):
This supportive group helps individuals experiencing anxiety or depression build skills to understand and manage emotions. Participants learn relaxation strategies, emotional awareness, and coping techniques for anger, fear, and sadness. Caregivers learn how to support skill development and reinforce strategies in daily life.

Healthy Relationships & Sexual Health:
This relaxed, conversational group helps participants build safe, respectful, and meaningful connections. As the only group that does not require caregiver involvement, it provides a private and comfortable space for learning. Participants explore social and communication skills, including boundaries and healthy friendships; dating and relationship safety; and essential sexual health education focused on consent, personal choice, and staying safe. The group supports participants in developing confidence, understanding their rights and responsibilities, and making informed decisions in their relationships.

Grief & Loss:
This group offers a compassionate space for individuals coping with the death of a loved one or other significant losses. Participants explore understanding grief by recognizing the emotional, physical, and social impacts of loss, and develop healthy coping strategies that support healing at their own pace. The group also emphasizes connection and shared support, providing an environment where participants can express their experiences and feel understood by others navigating similar challenges.

Keeping Up With Feelings of Anxiety & Depression:
This group is a continuation of the Dealing With Feelings program and offers deeper practice and reinforcement of emotional regulation skills. Participants build on relaxation and grounding strategies, strengthen emotional awareness, and further develop coping skills to manage difficult feelings more effectively. KUWF is ideal for individuals who have completed DWF and want continued support as they apply and refine these skills in daily life.

Skills for Building Emotional Resilience:
This two-part program is grounded in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) principles and supports participants in developing practical tools to manage emotions and navigate everyday challenges. The group focuses on mindfulness to stay present and grounded, distress tolerance to manage crises safely, emotion regulation to understand and influence emotional responses, and interpersonal effectiveness to communicate needs while maintaining healthy relationships and self-respect. Part 1 introduces foundational skills, while Part 2 deepens practice and supports ongoing application in daily life.

Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
  • ​​19 years or older
  • Have a diagnosed intellectual disability (IQ of 70 or less)
  • Are experiencing mental health concerns and/or complex, challenging behaviors
  • Live in the Fraser Health or Vancouver Coastal Health region

Exclusion Criteria:
  • Client is not experiencing a worsening of mental health symptoms and/or behavioral concerns.
  • Clients seeking counselling or behavioral​ therapy as their only resource.
  • Client seeking residential, job-related, or life skills supports [Refer to CLBC)]. (https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/)
  • CLBC eligible clients who fall under the Personal Supports Initiative (PSI) See CLBC​ Eligibility​
  • Clients seeking Autism or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
  • Clients seeking a Psychological or Psycho-Educational Assessment.
  • Clients in remission seeking long term monitoring.​

Referral Information
Anyone can make a referral to DDMHS by submitting a referral form.
*Please note: A physical examination and approval from the individual’s family doctor/nurse practitioner is required for the referral to be considered complete.
Community care providers can find the referral form on the Medical Staff Website Forms Directory

More Information
Psychological testing/evaluation can be done through these agencies:
Community Living BC CLBC

604-918-7540 (Burnaby)

Burnaby – Deer Lake I - #L50, 4946 Canada Way, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 4H7

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Access services in unit L50; we are directly across from the visitor parking - you do not need to go up any stairs to access our clinic.

604-777-8475 (Surrey)

Surrey – Shirley Dean Pavilion - 9634 King George Boulevard, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 0G7

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Two designated parking spaces for DDMHS clients (lots #45-47) are in the parking lot directly in front of the building entrance. Additional unmarked parking spaces are also available. Parking payment is required and can be made by credit card at the machine located at the front of the building.

Service is available in English.

Interpreter available upon request.

Cost: No cost

Referral options:

  • Health professional referral
  • Ministry of Children & Family Development referral
  • Family physician or nurse practitioner referral
  • Self-referral
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Fraser Health:

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Availability

Service area: Fraser Health Area + show cities

Service area cities: Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Anmore, Boston Bar, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Fort Langley, Harrison Mills, Hope, Ladner, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, North Delta, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Sardis, South Surrey, Surrey, Tsawwassen, White Rock, and Yale

Service Types Provided
Disability Services
Mental Health - Adult
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person
  • Provided at home
  • Provided at multiple locations
  • Provided in a group in-person
  • Provided online: email / video / on-line

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

  1. First Name
  2. Last Name
  3. Email
  4. In which city/town do you work?
  5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
  6. Employer Name (for office staff)
  7. Office Phone

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