We inspire philanthropy that enables leading-edge care, research and education at CAMH—Canada’s leading hospital for mental health.
The Foundation is charged with raising and stewarding funds to help transform the way we understand and treat mental illness. Our generous and dedicated supporters help CAMH advance discovery and innovation, build spaces that promote recovery, and break down the stigma of mental illness. Together, we are leading a movement that will create a society that believes mental health is health. Join us.
We exist because the crisis is real
The world needs CAMH to help combat the global mental health crisis
According to the World Health Organization, around 450 million people currently struggle with mental illness, making it the leading cause of disability worldwide. Here at home, it affects more than 6.7 million of us. In fact, one in two Canadians have—or have had—a mental illness by the time they reach 40 years of age. Alarming statistics like this underscore the great need for community support through philanthropy.
In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem.
70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence.
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada
About 4,000 Canadians per year die by suicide—an average of almost 11 suicides a day. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
While mental illness accounts for about 10% of the burden of disease in Ontario, it receives just 7% of health care dollars. Relative to this burden, mental health care in Ontario is underfunded by about $1.5 billion
Read more about the impact of mental illness on people and society.
The need for care is great
Canada and the world are in the grips of a mental health crisis that ruins health, threatens lives and hurts economies. Learn more about the mental health care needs in our community.
CAMH Foundation raises funds for the highest priority needs of the hospital. With these funds, CAMH can accelerate world-leading research, educate the mental health care professionals of the future, build new patient care facilities, raise awareness, and advance clinical innovation.
In 2019-20, CAMH received a total of $48.7 million from the Foundation with almost 50 per cent of this amount directed to the hospital’s modernization and expansion. Thirty-seven per cent was directed to research and 13 per cent was allocated to patient programming. View the Foundation’s complete financial statement here.
CAMH's historic transformation
CAMH is in the midst of a 20-year revitalization plan—supported by donors—that will see the site at Queen Street West completely modernized and updated to provide a more accessible, welcoming environment for people with mental illness. Two new buildings are currently under construction and will be open for patients in November 2020.
Our researchers specialize in studying the most complex aspects of the brain and behaviour—with a goal to develop new treatments for depression, schizophrenia, dementia and many other illnesses. With generous donor support, the hospital is also now applying artificial intelligence, big data and computer modeling to unlock the power of personalized medicine.
Every day, patients’ lives are directly impacted by the generosity of our donors. In addition to advancing mental health care, research and redevelopment, donor-supported programs like Gifts of Light help make the hospital environment more welcoming. Gifts of Light also helps empower patients to develop new skills and gain confidence as they return to their lives in the community.
How the community is building the mental health hospital of the future
In 2005, CAMH Foundation launched the Transforming Lives Campaign with a goal to raise $100 million to refurbish decades-old facilities and create more respectful, recovery-focused spaces for patients. In 2012, the Campaign concluded, exceeding its goal by $8 million and enabling the creation of modern new facilities at the Queen Street campus, including the country’s first inpatient unit for youth with concurrent mental illnesses.
The Foundation launched the $200-million Breakthrough Campaign to continue the monumental vision to transform the hospital. This Campaign exceeded its goal by $85 million, resulting in the creation of new research programs, new mental illness treatments, and expanded emergency care services. Read how donor support revitalized CAMH’s emergency department, Ontario’s only 24/7 psychiatric emergency department.
Donor support has continued to grow, enabling CAMH to meet the community’s need for high quality, integrated mental health care. Read more about the latest phase of redevelopment here.
Learn more about how we make every donor dollar count.
Real stories made possible by donors
Every dollar - every donor - makes a real impact. There are countless stories of courage, hope and discovery made possible through the continued support of CAMH donors.
We value your partnership and commitment to CAMH—and we're here to help you make an impact on the mental health movement.
Please feel free to reach out to us at foundation@camh.ca, 1.800.414.0471, or visit us at 100 Stokes Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4. Charitable #106932320RR0001
