Sinai Health launches Mental Health and Addictions program

Mental health and addictions care continues to evolve across the organization in response to increasing patient needs and clinical complexity. The new program brings these services together within a unified model, improving coordination across care settings and advancing integrated, person-centred care.

The launch marks an important milestone for services that have expanded over the years across both Mount Sinai and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospitals. It also reflects the growing recognition of the mind/body connection, and the importance of mental health to overall health.

Informed by lived experience 

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For patients, the program represents the next step in strengthening coordinated care.

Charise Jewell has experienced the value of that approach from both perspectives; First as a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital’s outpatient psychiatry clinic, and now as a member of its Patient and Family Advisory Committees.

After moving to Toronto, she struggled to manage bipolar disorder before being referred to Mount Sinai’s outpatient psychiatry clinic. There, Charise found the ongoing support she needed to better understand her condition and develop the tools to manage it over time.

“People will only benefit from greater awareness in this area. It’s really encouraging to see this work recognized with its own clinical program,” said Charise. “I’ve been an outpatient since 2018 and have received such excellent care. Through COVID-19 and all the changes that followed, I always felt supported. That was critical to my recovery and the stability I have today. I hope the new program helps strengthen the experience for future patients by building on the incredible support that made such a difference for me.”

Today, Charise draws on that lived experience to help shape improvements across Sinai Health, ensuring the patient perspective remains central as the new program continues to evolve.

Building on a strong foundation 

Over the past several years, Sinai Health has enhanced psychiatry emergency care, introduced new addictions supports, expanded inpatient psychiatric capacity, and broadened services for older adults, Indigenous communities, and people with complex medical and psychiatric needs. 

That growth laid the groundwork for the new clinical program, bringing these services together under one leadership structure. 

“This is an important step for us as we grow and have the ability to touch more lives,” said Dr. David Gratzer, Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Medical Program Director, Mental Health and Addictions. “Sinai Health is a large organization with many priorities, and creating a clinical program recognizes the importance of this work as our population changes and substance use continues to evolve. It positions us to build on that momentum in the years ahead.” 

The new clinical program also marks the first to span across Sinai Health, reflecting years of coordinated work. 

“Our role continues to evolve as our clinical services expand across Mount Sinai and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital,” said Sami-Beth Kuchar, Senior Clinical Program Director. “We will continue to provide evidence-based, compassionate, patient-centred care for patients and their care partners while we also build capacity within our community.  Our team is energized looking to the future.”

That integrated approach is already reflected in programs that connect patients with specialized support across hospital and community settings. This includes provincial leadership through the Enhancing Care for Ontario Care Partners (CARERS) program, intensive community-based care through the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT), and culturally responsive services for older adults through the Seniors’ Wellness Centre.

Looking to the future

The new program represents the next phase in strengthening this work across Sinai Health. 

Aligned with the priorities outlined in Sinai Health’s strategic plan, it reflects the organization’s commitment to a more integrated, connected health system as it continues to discover and deliver life-changing care.