Family Advisory Council

Giving loved ones a vital role in care

The Family Advisory Council (FAC) speaks for families supporting loved ones with mental illness. The FAC ensures family perspectives influence treatment, policy, programs and research at The Royal. Families are part of the care team. Evidence shows family engagement improves outcomes, reduces harm and strengthens recovery.

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What we do

The FAC actively shapes care, policy, and programs across The Royal. As a member you will:

Champion the Client and Family-Centred Framework
Collaborate with the Client Advisory Council (CAC) and contribute to The Voice newsletter
Co-design policies, programs and research initiatives
Advise on committees for policy, quality, ethics and hiring
Research family engagement best practices
Represent families at events and consultations
Organize knowledge-sharing events
Liaise with community family support groups
Maintain Welcome Families & Friends displays
Sit on the Board of Trustees and board committees

Members of the FAC are integrated into essential oversight and operational areas of The Royal. They take part in training and learning opportunities, including conferences, and receive a Royal-based email address and access to similar resources as staff. FAC members play an essential role and are recognized accordingly.

See previous accomplishments

Being part of the Family Advisory Council is my way of helping my sister while she is a patient at The Royal.

Providing our feedback to The Royal of our hard-earned experience living with mental illness is something I find very rewarding when it helps improve service to patients and families.

— Terry, Chair, Family Advisory Council

Our Impact

FAC initiatives have strengthened care, family engagement, and organizational programs:

2024: Supported the implementation of family peer support

2022: Participated in Royal Ottawa Foundation fundraising events

2022: Supported launch of Ozerdinc Grimes Family Regional Psychosis Clinic

2022: Implemented Essential Care Partner Policy in a Mental Health Setting, published in Ontario Caregivers Organization Bulletin

2022: Co-hosted Engaging for Impact conference

2018–2022: Developed staff training on family engagement, confidentiality and grief (adopted into Carleton University social work curriculum)

See previous accomplishments

Interested in getting involved?

Membership in the FAC requires direct caregiving experience supporting a loved one living with mental illness or addictions through The Royal. A limited number of positions are available for family members and caregivers from the broader community.

If you would like to learn more about the Council or how to become a member email us at FAC@theroyal.ca or call (613) 722-6521 ext. 6557

Apply Now

Our initiatives

The FAC also helps oversee other patient-focused resources and projects at The Royal alongside the CAC. We work to ensure families feel supported and have access to important information about mental illness and recovery.

Client & Family Resource Hub

Families and friends play a critical role in mental illness recovery. The Client and Family Resource Hub offers information, education, peer support and other resources to patients, clients and their caregivers throughout the journey. This initiative, developed in partnership with the CAC, launched in 2023.

Visit the Hub

The Voice Newsletter

The Voice is a publication for clients and families, produced with the CAC. Read about the patient and family experiences shaping care and programs at The Royal.

Browse Issues

The Family Voice Bulletin

Stay informed on the practical tools, insights and strategies shaping care at The Royal. Each issue tackles real challenges, including mental illness, suicide, addictions, grief and relationships.

Browse Issues

Caregivers’ Bill of Rights

Caregivers are entitled to certain levels of treatment, information and access while their loved ones are undergoing treatment. Our Caregiver Bill of Rights outlines these in full.

Engaging for Impact

A research project about building a meaningful framework for supporting meaningful family caregiver engagement.

Building a Framework for Supporting Meaningful Family Caregiver Engagement

Involving family and caregivers is an essential piece of effective care. The Royal conducted surveys and research to understand what would help with caregiver engagement.

The committee involvement is very interesting and provides a glimpse into the work, and especially the research, that is being done at The Royal.

Seeing examples of that work and research helps give hope that answers might be found one day and that progress is being made all the time.

Being on the FAC shows me that hope still exists.

— Christine, Secretary, Family Advisory Council

Ottawa Campus

1145 Carling Ave.,
Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4
(613) 722-6521

Long-Term Care

1141 Carling Ave.,
Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4
(613) 722-6521

Brockville Campus

1804 Highway 2 E, P.O. Box 1050,
Brockville, ON K6V 5W7
(613) 345-1461

Community Mental Health

2121 Carling Ave.,
Ottawa, ON K2A 1H2
(613) 722-6521