Visiting CAMH

The CAMH Emergency Department is operating at reduced capacity this weekend, and as a result some may experience increased wait times. Please use Stokes Street doors of 1051 Queen Street West (Crisis & Critical Care Building) to access the Emergency Department temporarily. We anticipate returning to full capacity in our usual space by Monday, February 6. Thank you for your patience.

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 Information, Effective October 26, 2022

Visitors are welcome at CAMH.

To keep you, our patients, and our staff safe, and to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, all visitors must:

• Enter through a public entrance.
• Review the infection control self-screening questions posted at building entrances.
• Clean your hands with hand sanitizer and put on a CAMH provided mask when you enter buildings.
• Keep your mask on at all times when you are inside a CAMH building.

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

Visitors and essential care partners do not need to provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19, however we strongly encourage you to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated with as many vaccine doses and boosters as you are eligible for.

Visiting patients indoors and outdoors at CAMH

We welcome and encourage families and friends to visit patients at CAMH to support their loved ones’ care and recovery.

Please contact your loved one’s care team if you would like to arrange a visit.

Patients can have visitors after they are admitted, with their care team’s approval. If a patient is potentially infected with COVID-19 or another highly transmissible disease, the patient’s care team will help facilitate virtual visits until the patient is no longer contagious. During outdoor visits, patients and visitors should wear a mask if they cannot remain 2 metres apart.

Visiting Information and Hours

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

All visits are facilitated in collaboration with the treatment team, clients/patients and their families. The treatment team will determine the number of Visitors that can be accommodated on the inpatient unit while still permitting appropriate physical distancing (2 metres). Given limitations on the number of Visitors a unit can accommodate, it may not be possible for each client/patient to have visits at a particular time.

Lawyers, the psychiatric client/patient advocate and clergy are encouraged to notify the inpatient unit in advance of an anticipated visit so that appropriate arrangements can be made for the 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 may be restricted in response to increase in general risk of COVID-19 transmission.

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.

Community ambassadors are easily identifiable in their purple attire. They play an important role as they are often a first point of contact for visitors on our campus, providing wayfinding assistance and information about CAMH. Whenever you are on the CAMH grounds please feel free to approach them for any questions you may have. They are always happy to help!

Notice of Service Disruptions

Occasionally there are service disruptions to elevators or wheelchair entrances, for example. As well as notifying clients and family members ahead of time whenever possible, the department responsible will endeavour to post notice of the disruption, estimated time for correction and the nearest alternative.