Mental health ER zone underway at Montfort

An exciting new project is underway at the Montfort Hospital—a Mental Health Emergency Zone (MHEZ)!

I had the privilege to have an enlightening conversation about this wonderful initiative with Senior Vice -President-Patient Care Valérie Dubois-Desroches.

She says Montfort Hospital saw the need and importance for this hospital to add special care for patients with mental health and addiction issues in this community and around the city.

“Statistics show that Montfort sees twice the rate of those issues in this community compared to other hospitals in Ottawa and even in the rest of the province.”

Montfort Hospital Foundation is at the source of this endeavour. They’re able to achieve it thanks to donors and a fundraising campaign.

The construction of this special space is underway, and on target. The opening of the Mental Health Emergency Zone is scheduled the fall of 2024.

What is the MHEZ?

The MHEZ is a designated zone within the existing emergency room of the hospital. It’s designed to better suit the special needs of patients in crisis.

Help with the design also comes from a patient partner. The zone will have its own waiting room. There will be up to four rooms, two of those with stretchers, if need be. Furniture will be adapted.

Décor will be calming, with soothing colours, music, etc. Patients will also have access to washrooms and a shower, and sensory rooms. All in all: a space offering calm and safety.

Our community and city are very fortunate to be able to benefit from such a powerful endeavour. It’s led by professionals who show tremendous compassion for a vulnerable segment of the population, and devotion to bring better mental health to those in desperate need of a better life .

For more information on the project and how to donate, please visit: https://montfortfoundation.ca/emergency-zone/.