BMO donates $2 million to The Royal to help fund depression treatments
The Royal is receiving $2 million dollars from BMO, in the single-largest corporate gift made to the hospital in its history.
The donation to The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group is to support the newly established BMO Innovative Clinic for Depression. It will provide increased treatment opportunities to people living with severe depression and difficult-to-treat depression, according to the Royal.
Statistics Canada says one in four Canadians is struggling with a mental health issue. More than two million people in Canada experience major depression every year and one third of these individuals experience treatment-resistant depression, meaning their depression has not yet improved despite multiple treatment trials.
Marion Beckett says she’s suffered with depression for decades.
"I tried whatever they would let me try," she explained.
Her journey brought her to the Royal.
"I was hospitalized in 2019 and I was given the option to either follow up with my family doctor, or have a referral to the Royal to get myself a psychiatrist and I jumped on that," she tells CTV News Ottawa.
Part of her treatment was undertaken at a clinic for depression where clients receive Esketamine.
"I never would have imagined that I could be as well as I am today," she says.
"It can be very effective," says Dr. Jennifer Phillips, the interim scientific director of the Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR).
"I think one of the big game changers is how rapidly it works. Somebody who's experienced depression, even for years, may experience a decrease in their symptoms within a few hours or a few days of even their first treatment.
"The clinic really offers hope of accessing new and novel treatments, as they are developed or discovered. We’re starting with esketamine, but there’s room for us to offer other treatments as they are developed."
The BMO Innovative Clinic for Depression will offer increased treatment access, develop additional research opportunities, and link to other available treatments and services at The Royal.
"It's important to BMO because it brings communities together," says BMO's Victor Pellegrino. "Not only do we have a social responsibility, but we have a vested interest in helping Canadians move forward. We have 55,000 employees across North America, so you can image that we’re a cross-section of society - we deal with mental health in our own teams."
A second treatment space is in the process of being set up.
"We’re basically doubling the capacity in our esketamine research clinic, the ability to support physicians to provide treatment, to provide consults, the ability for researchers to engage in research study, and lots of training opportunities," says Dr. Florence Dzierszinski.
Innovation in mental health is giving hope to people like Beckett.
"If you want different results, you need to do something different. This is different," she says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.