SCARBOROUGH, ON, June 20, 2024 /CNW/ — Scarborough Health Network (SHN) proudly announced the grand opening of its new Community Mental Health Centre today, a landmark step in providing exceptional mental health care within the Scarborough community. The innovative centre embodies the essence of accessibility and compassion and serves as a beacon of hope and support. Celebration was in the air as esteemed donors, SHN team members, His Excellency Doug Ford and other government dignitaries joined in the celebration as SHN ushered in a new era of comprehensive care for people facing mental health challenges.
Generous donors, SHN team members, Councillor Doug Ford and other government officials gather at the official grand opening of the new SHN Community Mental Health Centre. (CNW Group/Scarborough Health Network Foundation)
Located in the heart of Scarborough, the Community Mental Health Centre provides comprehensive, non-stigma mental health care to a diverse community. By integrating adult inpatient mental health services into a warm, welcoming community environment, SHN is breaking down barriers and changing the way people think about mental health support.
The center is made possible thanks to donors who contributed a total of $6 million to make this priority project a reality as part of the SHN Foundation's Love, Scarborough campaign. Part of the SHN-wide Orlando Corporation Mental Health Center of Excellence, the center offers a variety of clinical services, including group and one-on-one counseling and comprehensive psychiatry. Within the center, patients can receive the following services:
RBC Youth Mental Wellbeing Clinic Bell Senior Mental Health Clinic Slate Family Foundation Cultural Psychiatry Clinic Ray Gupta and Family Mood & Anxiety Clinic
An innovative feature of the centre is its 'no wrong door' model of care: with just one referral from a doctor or carer, the SHN team takes the lead, directing patients to a range of services for seamless, efficient and personalised care. This approach highlights SHN's commitment to making mental health care as accessible and understandable as possible for the people of Scarborough.
The SHN Community Mental Health Centre is the first outcome of an ambitious Love, Scarborough campaign that shines a spotlight on the power of community and philanthropy. It is also part of SHN's larger Build it Forward for Scarborough plan. An ambitious capital expansion and renewal project, driven by a multi-year redevelopment strategy (master plan), will ensure SHN's hospital services and facilities will meet Scarborough's changing needs well into the future, transforming health care for a diverse and growing community.
This milestone represents a collective step towards eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health. The centre stands as a vibrant symbol of hope, ensuring the Scarborough community receives the care and support they deserve.
Quote
“We are incredibly grateful to our donors who made the creation of SHN's Community Mental Health Centre possible. Their generous support has broken down barriers to mental health care and shown the Scarborough community the power of more than charity. We were delighted to celebrate our grand opening with them and are excited about the positive change this centre will bring to our health network.”
– Alicia VanderMeer, President and CEO of the SHN Foundation
“Our team is thrilled to have the Community Mental Health Center open for our patients. Our 'no wrong door' model of care removes administrative barriers and makes it easier for people with mental health issues to get the care they need, when they need it. Our talented team within the center are able to work collaboratively in a beautiful, bright, and calming space, resulting in positive outcomes for all patients. We're grateful to our generous donors who believed in our vision and helped make it a reality.”
– Dr. Ilan Fischler, SHN Chief of Psychiatry
“Through the establishment of Scarborough Health Network's new Community Mental Health Centre, Orlando Corporation is pleased to help improve access to mental health programming in our community. Serving the surrounding area with compassionate care, this initiative is a great example of the great work being done to help improve the lives of people living with mental health issues. The centre embodies our shared vision of a healthier, more resilient society and serves as a reminder of the power of community building.”
– Blair Wolk, President, Orlando Corporation
“RBC is committed to driving more equitable prosperity within our communities, which includes partnering with health care providers to ensure our community has access to mental health services and resources when and where they need them. We are pleased to support Scarborough Health Network's new Community Mental Health Centre, which will help unlock these critical resources for the Scarborough region.”
– Mark Beckles, Vice President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC
“Bell is proud to help connect Scarborough's seniors with mental health care. Our donation to the new Bell Senior Mental Health Clinic as part of Bell Let's Talk will make a real difference to seniors in need of mental health support. We congratulate Scarborough Health Network on opening this important centre.”
– Mary Deacon, President, Bell Let's Talk
“The Slate Family Foundation is pleased to support the development of Scarborough Health Network's Community Mental Health Centre, and we hope this innovative approach to providing individualised care to people with mental health issues will serve as a model for other communities to learn from.”
– Gary Slate, President and CEO, Slate Family Foundation
“Supporting Community Mental Health Centers is an important investment in the well-being of our communities. We believe everyone has the right to quality mental health care and are proud to contribute to facilities that remove barriers and provide essential, accessible care. Community Mental Health Centers are a symbol of hope and healing for people in need and we are honored to be a part of such an important effort.”
– Ray Gupta, Chairman and CEO, Sunray Group
About the Love Scarborough Campaign
The Love, Scarborough campaign was launched in 2022 by the Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Foundation to raise awareness and donations to Scarborough Hospital. Funds raised will support important projects across the health network, including expanding emergency care, establishing a new model of care in the Scarborough community and advancing medical research and education. SHN is doing more than anyone thought possible with less funding than anyone could imagine. Imagine what we could do with more funding. For more information, visit lovescarborough.ca.
About Scarborough Health Network
With three hospitals and eight satellite sites, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is shaping the future of healthcare. The network's many programs and services are designed to meet the needs of Canada's most vibrant and diverse community. The network is home to the largest nephrology program in North America and the designated cardiac care and spine centre for Scarborough and surrounding communities to the east. SHN is proud to be a community-related teaching facility of the University of Toronto and partners with many other universities and colleges to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals. For more information, visit shn.ca.
Source: Scarborough Health Network Foundation
Media Contact: Kayla Timchen, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications, SHN Foundation, 416-671-8394; [email protected]Lisa Cipriano, Communications and Public Relations Manager, SHN, 416-356-7950, [email protected]
