People living with difficult-to-treat depression in eastern Ontario now have greater access to an innovative, evidence-based treatment close to home.
The Royal has been selected as the only hospital in the Ottawa-Champlain region to provide publicly funded repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) through Ontario's Neurostimulation Procedures Provincial Program. The OHIP-covered treatment is available to adults whose depression has not responded to conventional therapies, including medication and psychotherapy.
rTMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. With minimal side effects, it has become an established treatment option for people living with difficult-to-treat depression. Research shows that approximately half of patients experience meaningful improvement in their symptoms.
The expansion marks a significant step forward in improving access to specialized mental health care across the region, ensuring more people can receive leading-edge treatment without leaving eastern Ontario.
"As the only publicly funded rTMS provider in the Ottawa-Champlain region, we're expanding access to a treatment that can be life-changing for people living with difficult-to-treat depression," said Stephanie Carter, Executive Director, Clinical Services, The Royal. "This recognition reflects The Royal's leadership in treating complex mental illness and translating research into care. Most importantly, it means more people will have access to a proven treatment that can help them reclaim their lives from mental illness."
Translating research into care
The Royal has been delivering rTMS through clinical research and specialized care for years, helping advance understanding of neuromodulation therapies and their role in treating depression. Its selection as a provincial rTMS site builds on decades of leadership in mental health research, clinical innovation and education.
"Being chosen to deliver publicly funded rTMS reflects the strength of our research and clinical expertise," said Dr. Sara Tremblay, Scientific Director of the Neuromodulation Research Clinic at The Royal. "Thanks to early philanthropic support and research grant funding, our team has spent years studying how rTMS can improve outcomes for people living with depression while building the expertise to deliver this treatment safely and effectively. It's incredibly rewarding to now see that work translate into broader access to care for patients across eastern Ontario."
I'm thrilled that rTMS will now be covered by OHIP so more people can access a treatment that has the potential to change lives, just like it changed mine.
A life-changing treatment
For people like Michelle Chapin, access to rTMS has been life-changing.
"I didn’t know happiness could feel like this," said Michelle Chapin, an rTMS research participant at The Royal. "For the first time in years, I could imagine a future for myself — one that wasn’t defined by depression. Not enough people know about rTMS and this new program means more people will be able to access it and feel in control of their lives.”
"The care I received at The Royal was exceptional, and rTMS was truly life-changing for me," said Mary-Ellen, rTMS research participant at The Royal. For the first time, I felt good about the treatment I was receiving for my depression. I actually looked forward to my appointments because I knew each visit was helping me feel a little better. Today, I'm happier and more hopeful than I've been in years. I'm thrilled that rTMS will now be covered by OHIP so more people can access a treatment that has the potential to change lives, just like it changed mine."
A provinicial investment in neurostimulation
The Royal’s publicly funded rTMS program is available through Ontario's Neurostimulation Procedures Provincial Program, supported by a recent provincial investment of $5.4 million to expand access to treatment for adults living with difficult-to-treat depression across Ontario. Approximately $568,370 has been allocated to support service delivery at The Royal. Ontario Health is leading implementation of the program through its Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.
"Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is improving access to innovative mental health care across Ontario,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The expansion of publicly funded rTMS services will help more people living with treatment-resistant depression access evidence-based treatment closer to home, when and where they need it most."
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.
Media contact
For more information or to secure an interview, please contact Alyssa Nader, Communications Specialist, The Royal, anader@theroyal.ca.
