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, December 24, 2021

To keep our patients and staff safe, and to minimize the spread of theCOVID-19 Omicron variant, CAMH is making the following, temporary, changes to our Visitor Policy:

• Indoor visitors: Each patient will identify one Designated Visitor who will be able to visit them indoors, once per day, for a maximum of one hour. A person who is a Designated Visitor cannot transfer the designation to others; they will be the consistent visitor for their family member or loved one at CAMH. 
• Outdoor Visitors: CAMH patients can have a maximum of 4 outdoor visitors at a time.  

Visiting Information and Hours 

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 four outdoor visitors (at the same time) for outdoor 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 indoor and outdoor visitors must have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine (see information below), and 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

CAMH requires all people visiting patients, both indoors and outdoors, be fully vaccinated, subject to a few exemptions that are outlined below.

Requiring visitors to be fully vaccinated protects the health and well-being of our patients and staff, allow us resume the re-opening of more in-person programming, and ensures that our services can remain open so people in need can continue to safely visit our hospital.

Visitors will need to show proof of vaccination at entrance points to CAMH buildings, will continue to be actively screened, and will be required to adhere to infection prevention and control measures, including self-monitoring for symptoms, performing proper hand hygiene, and donning personal protective equipment where appropriate, at the direction of CAMH staff.

Exemptions

There are some exemptions to the mandatory vaccination requirement for visitors, including: 

• People accompanying patients to the Emergency Department or Bridging Clinic;
• People accompanying outpatients attending appointments in the Child, Youth and Emerging Adult Program;
• Correctional/Immigration officers transporting patients from jail, Court Services Personnel, and emergency services personnel.
• Attendees at hearings of the Consent and Capacity Board or Ontario Review Board/Nunavut Review Board who are medically exempt for vaccination or who have been granted exemptions in consultation with Legal Services.
• People who have a medical exemption from vaccination
• People who have been granted an exemption on compassionate grounds

Visitors seeking an exemption on compassionate grounds can discuss their request with the patient’s clinical team who, if they support the exemption, can apply for leadership approval.

Visitors with medical exemptions must provide written evidence of medical exemption to the patient’s clinical team in advance of the visit. Visits with individuals who are not fully vaccinated, but granted a medical or other exemption, will only be permitted if appropriate infection control precautions can be reasonably implemented.

More information on CAMH’s Visitor Policy

For more information about 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.