What To Expect

The Royal is a specialized treatment provider. We treat the most serious mental illness. Accessing our programs requires a referral from a family doctor, general hospital or other health care provider. If you or someone you love is suffering, contact your family doctor, nurse practitioner, walk-in clinic or emergency room. If it’s appropriate, they will create a referral to The Royal.

You can also visit AccessMHA, a free online service that can match patients with mental health service providers. AccessMHA’s first step is a virtual consultation.

Once The Royal receives your referral, you will likely be contacted by a specialist at The Royal who works in a relevant department. This meeting can be a virtual or in-person consultation. This process can also include gathering information from your family, health care team or other caregivers. Your referring practitioner will be provided the results of this consultation process.

The intake time varies. Each referral to The Royal is triaged through the appropriate department. Some urgent programs move more quickly than others, and you may be asked for more information during the process.

When a referral is accepted, you will receive information about your first appointment. If your consultation determines that The Royal is not the best fit for treatment, your referring practitioner will be contacted and other treatments may be presented.

The Royal’s Ottawa campus is located at 1145 Carling Avenue. There is parking on-site for outpatient and short-term treatment. Long-term passes can be available upon request. Our facilities are also located on major transit routes—consult OC Transpo for exact routes from your location.

The Royal’s Brockville campus is located at 1804 Highway 2 East.

Each person’s treatment is unique. The best source of information will be your treatment providers themselves.

During your intake meetings, your treatment provider will go over details of your treatment process. Each of our programs also has a dedicated web page that offers more information.

Each department has a dedicated team that is responsible for patient care. You will be introduced to your care team during your intake appointments, but you are also free to visit the department’s web page to learn more about the members on the team.

Yes. Connecting with your support network can be an essential part of your treatment. We encourage visitors, including family, friends and significant others, as their presence can have real therapeutic value.

Confirm visiting hours and regulations with your program. Children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult.

You should bring:

• Any prescribed medications that you take, in their original containers, with a list from your pharmacy. This includes pain medication, digestive medication, vitamins, topical treatments and any herbal or natural supplements. Your team’s staff will store all medications securely.
• Comfortable clothes, shoes, pajamas, slippers and a house coat. Each unit has laundry facilities and you can ask your care team for any necessary supplies.
• Athletic wear (clothes, shoes) for gym use.
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, towel and antiperspirant.
• Sharp objects like razors and nail clippers are stored by nursing staff, except when needed.
• Contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, etc.) for friends and family.
• Reading materials: books and magazines (e-readers may be permitted in some cases, see your team’s electronic device policy).
• Writing materials: paper and pens (may be restricted in some programs).
• Hobby materials: fibercrafts, puzzle books, etc.
• Discretionary cash: small amounts of money for coffee, tea or snacks. Additional money can be held in our accounting department for safekeeping. There is a locked cupboard in each room. Any money kept in-unit is your own responsibility.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Electronic devices such as music players, TVs, laptops, tablets, cellphones and devices that access the internet may not be permitted, depending on your program or individual care plan. Consult your care team before bringing any devices to The Royal. If you do bring a device, its care and security are solely your responsibility.

We expect safe, respectful behaviour. Aggressive, threatening, abusive or destructive behaviour toward staff, other patients or property is not tolerated.

Patients are expected to follow The Royal’s policies and work together with their care team to create and carry out a treatment plan.

Communicate honestly about your needs and wants. Being truthful and accurate about your care and your condition will help our teams provide the best treatment.

There are a number of amenities available at The Royal’s Ottawa campus.

We offer a café, hair salon, second-hand clothing store, cafeteria, client and family resource hub, library and a Spirituality Centre.

Your care team can help you plan visits to these resources and let you know the opening hours as needed.

The Royal has food options at both campuses.

Ottawa

The cafeteria is on the first floor. It features a range of healthy options for all dietary needs, including daily specials.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 10:30 a.m.; and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Winter Garden Café, operated as a social enterprise by the volunteers at The Royal, is in the Winter Garden on the 2nd floor. Quick items like coffee, assorted drinks, baked goods, snacks, yogurt and cheese are available for purchase. A lunch menu is also offered.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Brockville

The River Café is on the second floor of the Forensic Treatment Unit. It offers lunch options, coffee, tea and snacks. The café is part of a vocational training program for clients.

Hours: Monday to Friday for two hours a day during lunch.

Winter Garden Boutique

The Winter Garden Boutique is located on the 2nd floor of the Ottawa campus and sells gently used clothing. Donations are appreciated.

Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (subject to volunteer availability)

Winter Garden Hair Salon

The Salon is located on the 2nd floor in the Winter Garden. Services are provided by a professional hairstylist and include haircuts, colour, highlights, perms and waxing.

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments after 3:00 p.m. available on request. (613) 722-6521 ext. 6722

We lock units for the safety of our patients and our community. The Royal is a Schedule 1 facility. This means that some of our patients are undergoing treatment through the Mental Health Act and are admitted involuntarily. We also have patients who require secure facilities and close monitoring for their own safety due to severe symptoms of mental illness or dementia.

Unless authorized for extended leave, patients must be on their unit from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. for their safety and the safety of families, staff and visitors.

There is no set time for treatment. The goal of every team is to treat all our patients until they are on a path to reclaim their lives and identities from mental illness.

You will be discharged when you and your care team determine that your treatment has been effective. You may continue with outpatient treatment or care through your family doctor or other providers, but we seek to have all patients complete a full course of treatment and no longer present a threat to themselves or others.