In Ottawa’s Montfort Hospital, the Mental Health Emergency Zone has been a game-changer for patients in psychiatric crises. The ER waiting room, typically chaotic and overstimulating, often exacerbated distress for mental health emergency patients. With the recent surge in patient numbers, a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Zone was created to offer a calming environment designed for de-escalation.
Dr. Kristine Levesque, the hospital’s deputy chief of staff and chief of psychiatry, highlighted the high-pressure atmosphere in the general emergency room waiting areas, a familiar scenario for the over 16 million Canadians who visited such facilities in 2024-2025. However, stepping into the specially designed Mental Health Emergency Zone reveals a serene space with soft lighting, soothing music, comfortable seating, and essential amenities like a shower and cellphone charging locker.
Montfort Hospital’s Mental Health Emergency Zone, established in November 2024, aims to stabilize patients in mental health crises efficiently, ensuring the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and other individuals in the ER. The hospital, located in Ottawa’s Rideau-Vanier neighborhood, serves a community with above-average poverty and addiction rates, contributing to the higher proportion of mental health emergency cases compared to the provincial average.
The initiative aligns with a national trend of increasing psychiatric emergencies coupled with substance use, especially following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Marion Cooper, president of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), emphasized the importance of enhancing emergency department capacities to address mental health crises effectively.
The unique design of the Mental Health Emergency Zone focuses on preventing adverse incidents by implementing safety measures such as automatic door closures, anti-ligature hooks, and room sensors to ensure patient well-being. The initiative was funded through a $2 million campaign by the Montfort hospital foundation, reflecting the community’s support for improved mental health care services.
Patients like Rick, who experienced the new zone’s benefits firsthand, praised the dedicated care and attention received, highlighting the contrast with previous experiences in traditional ER settings. The positive impact extends to staff members, with a significant decrease in violent incidents reported since the zone’s establishment, indicating a safer work environment.
Cooper emphasized the need for tailored mental health crisis interventions nationwide, emphasizing the importance of accessible support resources in all communities. She stressed the importance of setting standards for psychiatric care to ensure consistent and effective responses to mental health emergencies across the country.