Construction is underway on a new model of mental health care at Birchmount Hospital, including Scarborough’s first 24/7 emergency department (ED) dedicated to mental health and addictions.

Last year, SHN’s EDs saw more than 8,300 visits for mental health and substance use concerns. For someone experiencing a crisis, getting specialized support in the right environment can make an enormous difference.

With transformational support from Orlando Corporation and other generous donors, construction has now begun on the first patient care area of the Orlando Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence at Birchmount Hospital.

At the heart of the redevelopment is the Cope Family Mental Health Emergency Department. Open 24/7, it will be one of only three dedicated mental health emergency departments in Ontario. Patients will be able to begin treatment right there, with mental health nurses, social workers and psychiatrists working together to assess their needs and determine what comes next.  

Some patients may receive specialized care for up to 23 hours before returning home with community supports, while those who need hospital care can transition to specialized inpatient units nearby.

“The Cope Family Mental Health Emergency Department will provide a calmer, more therapeutic setting designed specifically for people experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Glyn Boatswain, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing and Allied Professionals Executive at SHN. “It represents an important step forward in helping every patient receive the right care, from the right team, in the right setting.”

The first phase of construction will create two seven-bed psychiatric intensive care units and a specialized 10-bed unit for patients with unique or complex needs. As the project progresses, inpatient mental health services currently at Centenary will move to Birchmount, bringing them closer to the new ED. Private rooms and therapeutic spaces are being designed to promote dignity, safety and recovery.

Bringing emergency and inpatient mental health services together on the same floor will also mean fewer hand-offs for patients who need to be admitted. Those who are ready to return home can be connected to follow-up care through SHN’s Community Mental Health Centre, which opened in 2024 after donors fully funded its construction and helped bring the project to life.

For the thousands of patients and families who turn to SHN for mental health care each year, this is more than a new space. Donor support is helping create a more specialized, connected model of care built around what each patient needs.