A Special Mental Illness Awareness Week Edition of E-News

October 2–8, 2022 marks Mental Illness Awareness Week in Canada, and we're capping it off with a special edition of our e-newsletter. Here at St. Joe’s, we’re the regional lead for mental health and addictions care, and the only Hospital in our region where people over the age of 17 can seek emergency mental health support when they’re in crisis. This week, we’ve put together a special edition of our e-newsletter with links to important resources about the care we provide, the people we care for, and the donors who are enabling us to expand our services at a time when it’s never been more important.

Read a Hamilton Spectator Series on Mental Health Care

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has partnered with The Hamilton Spectator to produce a content series focused on mental health and addictions care in our community. With topics ranging from substance use amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, youth and senior mental health services, and the rapidly rising cases of anxiety and depression in our region, the series features valuable resources for those in our community who may be struggling. Click here to view these informative articles on thespec.com.

Mercanti Family Makes $500,000 Donation to St. Joe’s

When their daughter Samantha was diagnosed with schizophrenia, Sam and Roma Mercanti gained a new appreciation for how difficult it can be for people to navigate the complex mental health system to find the care and the help they need. Recently, through the Sam and Roma Mercanti Foundation, they made a $500,000 pledge that will help to renew the Emergency Mental Health Service at St. Joe’s. Read more about their gift and their hopes for what it may help to achieve by clicking here.

Recognizing the Importance of Recreation Therapy

It’s a not-often-mentioned part of the care St. Joe’s is honoured to provide, but it’s an important piece of the treatment paradigm for those living with mental illness. It’s recreation therapy, and if it sounds like fun, it is. But it also teaches social skills, improves cognitive function, and helps clients to rebuild their tenure in the community. A recent gift from the Allen and Milli Gould Family Foundation is supporting recreation therapy and enabling clients of the Mental Health and Addictions programs to reach their recovery-focused goals. Read more here.

Gift from RBC Supports Programming at the YWC

Over the past three years, a $300,000 gift from RBC Royal Bank has been making a significant impact on the care we provide at the Youth Wellness Centre (YWC) in downtown Hamilton. Click here to learn how transition coaches like Mackenzie are helping youth in our community.

Where to go if you need help:

Are you, or is someone you love in crisis? Help is available. If you are in Hamilton: 

• Go to the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Charlton Campus (50 Charlton Ave. E.) and tell the doctor if you are having thoughts of suicide. 
• Call the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) at 905-972-8338 or visit coasthamilton.ca
• Call the Salvation Army Crisis Line at 1-855-294-HOPE or visit hopesalive.ca 
• In an emergency, call 9-1-1. 

Additional Mental Health Supports and Resource Links:

• CONNECT to St. Joe’s Outpatient Mental Health & Addictions Program 
• St. Joe’s Youth Wellness Centre
• COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) 905-972-8338 
• Barrett Centre for Crisis Support 1-844-777-3571 
• Native Women’s Centre 1-888-308-6559 
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 (5-20) 
• Good2Talk 1-866-925-5454 (17-25) 
• Crisis Services Canada 1-833-456-4566 
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 
• Suicide Prevention Community Council of Hamilton See their TIPS 
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

A Mental Health Morning Returns