New Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic will provide rapid access to assessment, treatment and support for people experiencing a mental health crisis
Today, The Royal officially unveiled the Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic, a first-of-its-kind service in eastern Ontario designed to provide rapid access to specialized mental health care for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.
The clinic will begin welcoming patients on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 a.m.
The new clinic addresses a critical gap in care by providing timely mental health assessment, treatment and short-term follow-up support for individuals who need urgent help but do not require emergency department care. Located in Ottawa at The Royal's main campus, the clinic will offer access to a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, social workers and peer support workers. Services include psychiatric assessments, crisis counselling, medication recommendations, system navigation support and connections to community and hospital-based resources.
The clinic has been made possible in part through a transformational $2.5 million gift from The Minto Greenberg Legacy Foundation, whose support accelerated the creation of the service and will help ensure more people can access care when they need it most.
Fast Facts
Opens Sept. 21: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who it's for: Adults (18+) experiencing a mental health crisis who need immediate support but are not facing a life-threatening emergency.
How to access care: Walk-ins welcome. Referrals accepted from local emergency departments, Ottawa Paramedic Service, and Ottawa Police Service Mobile Crisis Response Teams.
What to bring: Your Ontario health card.
Before you visit: Check The Royal's website for current clinic capacity updates.
Expanding access to care
“Too many people experiencing a mental health crisis face barriers when trying to access timely care,” said Cara Vaccarino, President and CEO of The Royal. “The Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic will provide a new pathway into the mental health system, connecting people with specialized assessment, treatment and support at a critical moment in their recovery journey. We are deeply grateful to The Minto Greenberg Legacy Foundation for helping make this vision a reality and expanding access to care for our community.”
The clinic is intended for adults 18 years or older experiencing a mental health crisis who require immediate support but are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency. Unlike an emergency department, the clinic is specifically designed to provide urgent mental health care in a therapeutic environment focused on stabilization, recovery and connection to ongoing supports.
“Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to receive care that’s tailored to their needs,” said Roger Greenberg, Director of The Minto Greenberg Legacy Foundation. “When we were introduced to the concept of opening an urgent care clinic at The Royal, one of the things that most inspired us was the ability to give direct assistance, from experts in the field of mental health, to people who are in crisis.”
A significant step forward
The clinic will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will accept walk-ins as well as referrals from local emergency departments, transfers from Ottawa Paramedic Service and drop-offs from Mobile Crisis Response Teams through the Ottawa Police Service. Patients are encouraged to check The Royal's website before visiting, where current clinic capacity information will be posted.
“Not everyone in crisis needs a hospital bed, but they do need timely access to experts who understand mental illness and addiction,” said Stephanie Carter, Executive Director, Clinical Services at The Royal. This clinic provides a new option for people who need rapid support, helping them access the right care at the right time while reducing pressure on local emergency departments.”
The Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic represents a significant step forward in The Royal’s mission to improve access to mental health and addiction services, enabling more people to receive timely care and support on their journey toward reclaiming their lives.
Visit theroyal.ca/urgentcare to learn more.
For more information
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.
