Ottawa’s Montfort Hospital Launches Dedicated Mental Health Zone

Ottawa’s Montfort Hospital has opened a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Zone (MHEZ) to better accommodate patients experiencing mental health crises. This new facility, launched in November 2024, aims to create a more calming environment for individuals in distress, a significant improvement over the typically chaotic atmosphere of standard emergency rooms.

The MHEZ was developed in response to the hospital’s unique challenges. Montfort sees more than twice the number of mental health emergency patients compared to the Ontario average, with approximately 8 percent of all emergency room visitors requiring mental health support. This figure starkly contrasts with the provincial average of 4 percent. The hospital, located in Ottawa’s Rideau-Vanier neighborhood, serves a community with high rates of poverty and substance use, often complicating mental health issues.

Dr. Kristine Levesque, the hospital’s deputy chief of staff and chief of psychiatry, describes the MHEZ as a “calm oasis” that includes features designed to de-escalate crises. The area is equipped with soft music, adjustable lighting, comfortable seating, and facilities such as a shower and cellphone charging lockers. A psychiatric nurse is present around the clock to assess and assist patients, ensuring they receive prompt care.

The need for a specialized space became evident after a series of alarming incidents in the emergency room, including a patient suicide and an attempted sexual assault on a staff member. These events highlighted the urgent need for a safer and more supportive environment. Levesque noted, “We need to do better,” emphasizing the hospital’s responsibility to protect both patients and staff.

According to Marion Cooper, president of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the Montfort initiative reflects a broader trend in Canada where emergency departments are increasingly recognizing the necessity for improved mental health resources. She stated, “We need all of our emergency departments to build capacity,” underscoring the importance of creating trauma-informed care systems.

The MHEZ’s design incorporates safety features to prevent self-harm and aggression. These include anti-ligature hooks, secure door mechanisms, and surveillance cameras to monitor patient safety continuously. Such adaptations were made following the hospital’s experiences with patient aggression, which have been on the rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the first six months since its opening, Montfort has recorded a significant decrease in violent incidents within the hospital. Data shows a reduction of 30 percent in aggressive events compared to the previous year, with an impressive 50 percent drop in incidents overall six months into operation.

The establishment of the MHEZ was made possible through a rigorous fundraising campaign that raised $2 million within just 18 weeks, a testament to community support for mental health initiatives.

Patients have reported positive experiences within the new zone. One patient, referred to only as Rick, shared how the space exceeded his expectations. He described it as “a private area, spacious, clean, new, segregated, safe.” Unlike his previous encounters in emergency departments, Rick received timely care with immediate access to psychiatric support, which he found reassuring.

Levesque notes that the MHEZ has also benefited staff morale, as the new environment allows for better patient interactions without the overwhelming noise and chaos typically present in emergency rooms. “People didn’t want to come to work; they felt that they were taking unnecessary risks,” she explained, highlighting the change in atmosphere since the MHEZ’s establishment.

The approach taken by Montfort is not an isolated case. Other facilities, such as the Winnipeg Crisis Response Centre, have implemented similar models to address mental health emergencies outside of traditional emergency departments. Cooper advocates for the expansion of such initiatives across Canada, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where access to mental health services can be limited.

As hospitals continue to adapt to the growing demand for mental health resources, the Mental Health Emergency Zone at Montfort Hospital represents a significant step toward building a healthcare system that is more responsive to the needs of patients facing mental health crises.