Your donations lead to better patient care, illness prevention and education, and advancement of knowledge and best practices - thereby improving the prognosis and quality of life of those with mental illness. 

Your generosity offers hope for the recovery of patients being treated at the Douglas. Your generosity saves lives. Your generosity supports more than 33 internationally renowned researchers – who are at the heart of new discoveries. Here are some examples of projects your gifts have funded.

Renovation of Family Living Room

The family living room in the Burgess Pavilion – an inpatient unit –was completely renovated.

When families come to visit a patient who is staying at the Douglas, they will now be able to take advantage of this welcoming and friendly space – now a more appropriate environment to promote recovery. Read more.

Brain Imaging Center

In 2011, the Douglas Institute will become the second psychiatric establishment in Canada to have its own brain imaging center. Our researchers will be able to study cognitive functions (along with memory and reactions to stress), and the pathophysiology of various mental illnesses like schizophrenia, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and attention defecit disorder. Read more.

Resource Center for Youth Experiencing or At-Risk for Psychosis

This new lounge facility will include a library, Internet access, and a wide variety of educational materials that will assist the patients with their recovery. Read more.

Therapeutic Garden for Alzheimer`s Patients

Marc used to tend his own garden before Alzheimer's Disease forced him to abandon this small daily pleasure. In the past, he would get his hands dirty in the warm earth, plant or dig up wayward perennials, pick fresh vegetables of the day, or admire his annuals flowering in all their splendour. Read more.

Support Program for Families

The participating families will take part in sessions guided by qualified therapists, giving them the opportunity to discuss the difficulties confronting them and to find potential solutions to overcome these difficulties.This program helps families adapt to the long-term consequences of their child's psychosis through guided therapy sessions in which they discuss the difficulties they face and try to find potential solutions to them.

Neurophenotyping center to study relationship between environment and genetics in the development of mental illness

This $ 6,000,000 facility, inaugurated in 2008, will allow our researchers to determine:
- the extent to which social pressures can precipitate a depression
- how a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia can be inhibited by a nurturing environment, a good social network, etc.
- how certain environemental factors can precipitate illnesses such as Alzheimer's. Read more.

Slowing the Onset of Alzheimer's: A New Therapy Developed at the Douglas gives Hope

“This therapy seems to improve not only patients’ cognitive deficits but also their quality of life and morale. A number of participants told us that the therapy has given them hope for maintaining independence, which is an invaluable benefit.” - Céline Brunelle, a nurse clinician at the Douglas Institute Memory Clinic and co-investigator of the project. Read more.

Info-Trauma website for Victims of a Traumatic Event

The Info-Trauma website was created to demystify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and provide a reference and diagnostic tool for victims of traumatic events, their loved ones, and health professionals. Read more.

Mini-Psych School for the General Public

The theme of the 2009 session of Mini-Psych was "Mental Illness: Myth and Reality". The school was lauched four years ago as a result of funding from the Foundation. Each of the six courses given by a Douglas specialist were based on research and clinical experience. They revisited some of the widely accepted myths about mental health. Read more.

A Gazebo for Child Patients

Between their treatment and school programs, these young patients need space and privacy to allow their self-confidence to develop. Some of them take medication which does not allow them to be exposed to direct sunlight. Thanks to the contribution of the Gustav Levinschi Foundation, the construction of a gazebo at the Stearns Pavillion will allow the young patients to safely enjoy the outdoors. Read more.

More Effectively Evaluating Depression

A new tool for evaluating depression was developed by Dr. Turecki and his team in close collaboration with the staff at the clinic that treats cases of severe depression. The goal was to improve the quality of care. This tool will allow practitioners to measure their patients' symptoms in a more objective way and allow patients to monitor the severity of their own symptoms.

Study on Youth

This study identifies what resources are available to youth under 25 at-risk for suicide and how these resources are being used. The aim is to improve resources and decrease the suicide rate.
Read more.

Pilot Projects for the Clinic for Assessing Youth at Risk
(CAYR)

A community-based assessment and monitoring program for young people at high risk for developing psychotic disorders.

Peer-Support Program

The first in Quebec. In this program, former patients that have battled mental illness offer support and mentorship to those who are currently struggling. The program is founded on the belief that people with mental illness can take an active role in developing a meaningful life, even though their illness might be serious.

Rehabilitation Activities

To help discharged patients return to community life.

How the Brain Works

There are billions of cells in the human brain that can be studied to better understand how these cells are affected by mental illness. For example, at the heart of our group, the team led by Gustavo Turecki, M.D., Ph.D., recently discovered that childhood abuse leaves an imprint on the brain that can lead to mental illness and suicide later in life.

Resources for PEPP patients and their families

Patients of the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP) and their families can benefit from access to resources such as the website www.gethelpearly.ca and the movies produced by Dr. Ashok Malla and his colleagues at the Institute.

Essential Tools for the Eating Disorders Program

New utensils, dishes, and chairs for the Eating Disorders Program.

Public Awareness Campaign on Anorexia and Burnout (in French only)

Manger ne guérit pas l’anorexie.Le repos le guérit pas le burn-out.
"In November 2005, I stopped working and took an emergency appointment with my doctor because I was no longer functional in any area of my life. Family problems, specifically tied to my 2 adolescent children, had drained any energy I had left after 8 years of single-parenthood."

Put a Smile on a Child's Face

Toys are now available for children who are visiting family members that are in-patients at the Douglas.