Visiting CAMH

The information in this section is for anyone who is planning on visiting CAMH. Please scroll down for contact and accessibility information, and directions for each of our three main sites.

CAMH operates central clinical and research facilities in Toronto. Our 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Department is located at 1051 Queen Street West. We also have 10 locations throughout the province that provide communities with education and support for program development, health promotion and prevention.

Changes to CAMH Visitor Policy: Effective Friday, July 1, 2022

To keep our patients and staff safe, and to minimize the spread of COVID-19, CAMH’s visitor policy allows:

• Indoor visitors: Each patient may have one indoor visit with up to two visitors at the same time, once per day, for a maximum of one hour. Visitors do not have to be designated, and patients can have different people visit them each day.
• Outdoor Visitors: CAMH patients can have a maximum of seven outdoor visitors at a time.  

Visiting Information and Hours

We strongly encourage you to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated with as many vaccine doses as you are eligible for. 

As of July 1, 2022, COVID-19 vaccines are no longer required for visitors and essential care partners entering CAMH. 

CAMH’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement remains in place for staff, physicians, volunteers, learners and contractors and helps ensure that our hospital is a safe place to work and receive care. You can find out more information about our visitor vaccine requirements below. 

Only three visitors can be on an inpatient unit at any given time and further restrictions on numbers may be imposed to accommodate the needs of a unit on any particular day.

Patients who have been admitted for more than seven days, and who have passes to the hospital grounds, may be permitted up to seven outdoor visitors (at the same time) for visits on the hospital grounds. As indicated below, outdoor visitors must be fully vaccinated, subject to certain exemptions. Outdoor visits must take place on CAMH grounds. Courtyards, porches and terraces are excluded, as these would require visitors to enter CAMH buildings to access these spaces.

Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

Process for Visiting

All visitors must register with the patient’s care team before 2 p.m. one day in advance of their planned visit. Lawyers wishing to visit inpatient units must notify CAMH Clinical Legal Services no later than 2 p.m. the day prior to the intended visit.

For information about how to contact specific CAMH units or care teams, please call the CAMH switchboard: 

• 416-535-8501 (calling from the GTA)
• 1-800-463-2338 (Toll-free)

All visits to particular units, including those on outbreak or enhanced surveillance, clinical areas, or outdoor spaces may be restricted in response to increase in general risk of COVID-19 transmission.

COVID-19 vaccine requirements for people visiting CAMH patients

 Effective July 1, 2022, visitors and essential care partners do not need to provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 to visit our hospital.

If you are visiting CAMH you can still expect to:

• Wear a hospital-approved procedure mask when entering any CAMH buildings. A mask will be available to you at the beginning of your visit.
• Participate in the screening process. 
• Clean your hands with hand sanitizer upon entering our buildings, and before leaving.

If you are planning to visit CAMH and you feel unwell, please delay visiting until you have recovered. 

More information on CAMH’s Visitor Policy

For more information about changes to CAMH’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements for visitors, please read our FAQ document. 

If you have questions about our visitor or other policies, you can call the Family Information and Support Centre telephone line.  The telephone line is an information and support resource for CAMH families. It includes a recorded message on CAMH policies and where to find more information on a variety of topics. You can also leave a voicemail message with inquiries about services and supports. Please dial 416-535-8501 ext. 33472.

Visitors who wish to appeal a decision to deny or restrict visits may do so by contacting CAMH’s Client Relations Office at 416 535-8501 ext. 32028 or at client.relations@camh.ca.

Accessibility

We are committed to eliminating differences in health status between groups and creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Our policies are intended to ensure that all members of the CAMH community understand the benefits of achieving accessibility for people with disabilities, and know the rights and responsibilities of employees, volunteers, physicians, students, clients and visitors with regard to accessibility and client service. Learn more about accessibility at CAMH.

CAMH is in the midst of an exciting redevelopment of our Queen Street site, where most of our services will be consolidated in the future. Once construction is complete, our new buildings will have enhanced accessibility features.

Cultural Interpretation Services (CIS) including American Sign Language (ASL/FSL) interpretation

CAMH clients have access to trained professional interpreters in a range of situations, including assessments, consultations, intake and meetings. The interpreters facilitate communication between service providers and clients whose preferred language is not English and clients who are deaf. Usually your service provider will arrange for interpretation services; please let them know what you need.

Tobacco-Free

CAMH is committed to promoting safety and wellness through reducing the incidents of smoking triggers, reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, and increasing awareness of the impact tobacco use has on others. All individuals are asked to not have any tobacco or smoking products visible when on our campus and exit the property to participate in any smoking activities. Please refer to our campus maps that outline our tobacco-free areas (Queen Street map | College/Ursula Franklin Street map).

Scent-Free

Scented products can affect our staff, patients and visitors who are sensitive or have allergies. All individuals are asked to refrain from wearing or using scented personal products while in any CAMH buildings. Scented personal products may include fragrances, shampoos and conditioners, hairsprays, deodorants, colognes and aftershaves.