The Royal

Who we are

The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care, teaching and research hospitals. Our mandate is simple: to help more people living with mental illness and addiction into recovery faster. 

We combine our specialized mental health care, advocacy, research, and education to transform the lives of people living with complex and treatment-resistant mental illness. 

Our Institute of Mental Health Research, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, brings together leading mental health professionals, scientists, and technology to gain a deeper understanding of the brain, and investigate innovative approaches to preventing and treating mental illness. 

The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health raises funds that help support our work. It brings together community leaders and mental health advocates to advance mental health research and education. 

We place a sharp focus on awareness building and health promotion public education initiatives such as Conversations at The Royal and Is It Just Me? Conversations about Youth Mental Health. 

Who we serve

The Royal’s primary role is to serve people 16 and older living with complex and persistent mental illness. For most of our programs, patients in need of the highly specialized care we provide are referred by physicians or nurse practitioners in our community. 

Our Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic treats Canadian Forces, veterans and RCMP, and is the only OSI clinic in Canada within a specialized academic mental health centre.

If you are struggling with substance use, our Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program is accessible by self-referral.

Where we work

Most of The Royal’s patients receive care without ever walking through our doors. Most of our patients live in eastern Ontario, but some of our specialized programs reach into northern Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut. 

Our campuses include:

  • Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre — a 188-bed state-of-the-art mental health centre plus an 88-bed recovery/long-term care facility in Ottawa
  • Brockville Mental Health Centre — home to The Royal's 61 bed forensic treatment unit as well as the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre (Secure Treatment Unit), a 100-bed hybrid correctional facility and mental health centre that is the result of a contractual arrangement between the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group and Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General, located in Brockville, Ont.
  • Community Mental Health Program based out of Carlingwood Shopping Centre in Ottawa
  • Ozerdinc Grimes Family Regional Psychosis Clinic at City Centre in Ottawa

  • Four Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic satellite campuses 

We want to be a hospital without walls, meeting people where they are. We work together with numerous community partners to support people’s mental health across their lifespan and spectrum of needs. For example, you might find staff from our Geriatric Psychiatry Program supporting the mental health needs of people living in a long-term care home, or others from our Community Mental Health Program meeting with people in a shelter downtown. 

How we help

The Royal serves people age 16 and older living with complex and persistent mental illness. For most of our programs, patients in need of the highly specialized care we provide are referred by physicians or nurse practitioners in our community. To learn about the specific referral criteria for each of our programs, please visit our referral form hub. 

Our Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic treats Canadian Forces, veterans and RCMP, and is the only OSI clinic in Canada within a specialized academic mental health centre. Learn more about The Royal’s OSI Clinic.

If you are struggling with your substance use, our Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program is accessible by self-referral. Learn more about accessing our substance use services.  

We provide a broad array of inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services. Most of The Royal’s patients receive care without ever walking through our doors. We work together with numerous community partners to support people’s mental health across their lifespan and spectrum of needs. For example, you might find staff from our Geriatric Psychiatry Program supporting the mental health needs of people living in a long-term care home, or others from our Community Mental Health Program meeting with people in a shelter downtown.

The Royal works with its many partners in the community to build their capacity to care for their clients. We also educate thousands of health care professionals each year and work to promote mental health everywhere we can. 

Come take a tour!

 

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision…

Mental health care transformed through partnerships, innovation and discovery.

Our Mission…

Delivering excellence in specialized mental health care, advocacy, research and education.

Our Values…

We are guided by innovation and a passionate commitment to collaboration, honesty, integrity and respect.

Our History

Papillon

Why the butterfly?

Each of us transforms

There is no more striking symbol of transformation than a butterfly.