Mental Health: as important as physical health!

More than ever, mental health must be a subject highlighted and supported financially. The Cité de la Santé Foundation has therefore made it the subject of its spring solicitation campaign, with the generous collaboration of Dr. Claire Gamache, psychiatrist in Laval and president of the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec. Together, let's make a difference! Here is an excerpt from the letter that was sent to our donors:

There is no single cause for a mental health problem. We all see the impact that isolation, loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression can have on our own lives, our families, our jobs, our physical health, and so much more.

Quebecers living with a mental health issue face daily challenges that are difficult to overcome. Every day, I receive patients or relatives of vulnerable people who need help. Parents come to my office so worried that their 16 year old son is using drugs, has isolated himself and started hearing voices. Sometimes, suffering remains hidden for too long and damages a future and an entire family, a community.

Faced with these challenges, solutions exist. In Laval, the entire mental health and addictions team is mobilized towards a common goal: to identify and respond quickly to the needs of the population. This requires, among other things, better coordination of efforts, exemplary work by dedicated professionals and financial resources to provide optimal rehabilitation conditions.

Whether we are talking about the work required at the psychiatry unit of the Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé, as well as funding for staff training and clinical support, or even more therapeutic groups throughout the services, every gesture counts and has a major impact on recovery.

Your donation gives us wings, because it represents your support for our actions, our words, our constant efforts to de-stigmatize and win small and big victories over distress and mental illness.

Thank you from the heart,

Dr Claire Gamache

Few figures

• In 2020-2021, 12.5% ​​of emergency visits at Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé were related to mental health problems (5,277 users).

• 657 users had to be hospitalized (average length of hospitalization: 25 days)

• Currently, we have 78 short-term hospital beds while the ministerial standards are 110 beds.

You too can make a donation to support the deployment of mental health care and services in Laval. Thank you for your generosity.