Today, during Mental Health Week, The Royal publicly launched Lives Reclaimed, a bold $75‑million fundraising campaign to help more people reclaim their lives from mental illness and addiction.
The campaign is anchored by a historic $14 million lead gift from Waverley House Foundation—the largest single donation ever made in Ottawa in support of mental illness and addiction care.
For too many people, the path to care is delayed, fragmented, or out of reach—Lives Reclaimed aims to change that. Marking a pivotal step forward, the initiative calls for increased access and improved outcomes so more people can reclaim not just their health, but their stability, relationships, and sense of self.
A community called to act
15,000 donation challenge aims to secure an additional $1 million
To build momentum and underline the collective power of giving, Waverley House Foundation has issued a 15,000 new donations challenge to the public:
When 15,000 donations are made to the Lives Reclaimed campaign, an additional $1 million gift will be unlocked.
The number reflects the 15,000 people The Royal serves each year, reinforcing the idea that every donation—no matter the size—represents a person, a life, and a step toward recovery.
About Lives Reclaimed
Lives Reclaimed is guided by a volunteer cabinet, a dedicated group of community leaders working to grow awareness of and support for the campaign, which will improve access and outcomes through initiatives including:
- Funding the opening of a new Urgent Care Clinic to provide short-term mental illness crisis support.
- Supporting the development of biomarkers to help prevent the next suicide.
- Increasing the use of brain imaging to personalize treatments.
About mental illness and addiction
Mental illness and addiction can show up in quiet ways: missed moments, strained relationships, lost confidence. They leave marks. Some are visible. Many are not. Each person who is waiting for care is someone trying to reclaim something meaningful. They are spouses, friends, family members, neighbours, and colleagues.
1 in 3
People in Canada will experience mental illness or addiction in their lifetime.
12
People in Canada die by suicide every day.
1 Billion
People worldwide are affected by mental illness, making it one of the leading causes of disability.
For more information
Learn more about Lives Reclaimed
Media Toolkit
Media Contact
Alyssa Nader, Communications Specialist, The Royal
About The Royal
The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental illness and addiction treatment, research, and education hospitals, dedicated to supporting individuals aged 16 and older who are living with complex mental illness and addiction. Since opening in 1910, The Royal has grown into a trusted resource for people across eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec, and Nunavut.
With campuses in Ottawa and Brockville, and clinical teams working directly in homes and communities, The Royal delivers compassionate, evidence-informed care grounded in cutting-edge research, including through its partnership with the University of Ottawa and other academic and community partners. Its integrated model brings together care, research, education, and strategic partnerships to help build a future of recovery.
At The Royal, we separate the person from the illness, helping more people reclaim their lives.
