Royal Ottawa Foundation

A heartfelt THANK YOU to IDEAL Health Group for this incredible contribution and their leadership in promoting mental health within our community. Their dedication is making a lasting impact on countless lives, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to improving research and care at The Royal. Thank you again for your generosity 💙

Yesterday was a landmark day for the mental health and substance use community, and it’s hard to put its impact into words. Cara Vaccarino and I joined an inspiring celebration of Bruce Alexander McKean and the Waverley House Foundation’s historic $203 million cumulative gift to CAMH—the largest in Canadian history for mental health. Beyond this transformative gift, we at The Royal Mental Health Centre are also deeply grateful for Bruce’s support over the years, which has helped advance our own mental health and addictions research. Bruce’s philanthropic journey has been one of quiet dedication. His wish to remain behind the scenes until now speaks volumes. His hope—one we share—is that others are moved to make their own meaningful contributions to help destigmatize and fund this critical cause. Later, we attended the launch of The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, which is partnering with The Royal, Ottawa Salus, and other important community organizations. This foundation, led by Matthew's sister Caitlin Morrison and his family and friends, including long-time friend of The Royal Brian J. Murray, is dedicated to funding emerging research and providing post-treatment wraparound support to people living with substance use disorders, including supportive housing for those in recovery. It’s encouraging to see partnerships like these working together to support long-term recovery in our community. Are we at a turning point in mental health and substance use care? Absolutely. There’s a long road ahead, but with the support of partners like Bruce McKean, Waverley House Foundation, Caitlin Morrison, and The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, we’re moving closer to better care and more hope for all. #MentalHealth #AddictionsCare #Community #BetterCare Meghan Hanley, Deborah Gillis, Carmen Abela, Sharon Squire, Sandra Northcott, Jennifer Phillips

Mental health conditions are medical issues and should be treated as compassionately as physical illnesses. Dispelling myths and educating others about mental illness can contribute to a more understanding and inclusive society 💛

"We all love music, but our team wants to ensure that musicians love playing it, too. " 🎸 Discover how our team at the Music and Mental Health Research Clinic (MMHRC) at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) at The Royal is investigating how to reduce music performance anxiety (MPA) and the benefits of specific coping strategies for musicians. 🧠 Read the full article on Open Access Government: https://bit.ly/3Yif8Mr 🎤 Eager to experience the symphony of research and music in person? Please join us for the inauguration of the Music and Mental Health Research Clinic on November 5 at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Reserve your spot ➡️ : https://bit.ly/3zzqVOa University of Ottawa | Royal Ottawa Foundation #ResearchIsCare | #ResearchAtTheRoyal | #WithResearchWeWill

🧠 Join us for the inauguration of the Music and Mental Health Research Clinic on November 5, 2024. 🎺 The overall goal of this innovative program, led by Dr. Gilles Comeau, is to integrate personalized music-making and music-moving into mental health care by demonstrating and validating the wellness benefits of music programs for preventing and treating mental illness – a social prescription. A collaboration between the Music and Health Research Institute and The Royal/IMHR, our research clinic aims to have a positive impact on many individuals and communities experiencing a wide range of mental conditions. 📆 Tuesday, November 5, 2024 ⏰ 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 📍 Auditorium, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (1145 Carling Ave.) Hosted by the The Globe and Mail’s André Picard, this ceremony will feature opening remarks from Cara Vaccarino and Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, the viewing of a film on music and mental health, a keynote address from General Roméo Dallaire, music performances, and interactive activities led by Dr. Gilles Comeau. To register for this free event, please complete this registration form by October 29, 2024 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3zzqVOa

#ICYMI Last week, The Royal hosted the 17th Leaders for Mental Health Breakfast. Hundreds of business and community leaders, innovators, and healthcare providers gathered for a common goal: improving access to better care for those with mental illness in our community. Thank you to our sponsors, speakers, and all who attended. Your courage and generosity are changing lives 💙 Read more about this year's Leaders Breakfast 👉 🔗 https://buff.ly/4eNYStI

#DYK Playing or moving to music positively affects emotional states and moods - reducing anxiety, alleviating depression, and aiding emotional self-regulation? 🎶 Music is more than a source of entertainment - it also can benefit your mental health. Engaging in music triggers the release of dopamine, the 'feel-good' hormone - it can also help cognitive function. Learn more about how The Royal is researching the harmony between music and mental health, spearheaded by Dr. Gilles Comeau 👉🎼 https://buff.ly/3U9gg3G

The Royal's Brain Imaging Centre (BIC) is a state-of-the art research facility featuring a positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) scanner ⁠— the first of its kind in Canada dedicated solely to mental health and neuroscience research. Through advanced neuroimaging, researchers can effectively look inside the brain and “see” mental illness, which is helping to inform the development of more precise diagnostics and therapies. Through brain imaging, we're able to see what was once invisible and with research and through the BIC, we will better understand the complex interplay of brain function involved in mental health. 🧠 Learn more about The Royal's Brain Imaging Centre: https://bit.ly/3MvxdQJ #WithResearchWeWill | #WorldMentalHealthDay Katie Dinelle | Tram Nguyen Royal Ottawa Foundation

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, we reflect on the unity shown by over 800 community mental health and business leaders who attended yesterday's Leaders for Mental Health Breakfast in support of mental health and addictions awareness. #L4MHB2024 Attendees gained insightful exposure to stories of recovery from former clients and learned about the innovative mental health research taking place at The Royal. Over the next few months, we'll explore further how with research we will be working towards more inclusive mental health treatments, breaking down barriers, continuing the conversations and creating a future where no one faces mental illness in silence. #WithResearchWeWill #ResearchIsCare

Such an amazing Leaders for Mental Health Breakfast! Incredible honesty and impactful stories shared by Julia Bland, Cara Vaccarino & Cory Taylor - truly inspiring! A huge thank you to Ingrid Gingras, Chris Ide & the entire team at Royal Ottawa Foundation ! Special thanks to Drs. Jennifer Phillips & Pierre Blier for being the most supportive supervisors a trainee could ask for!