Recent donation going toward opening Ottawa clinic for those suffering from schizophrenia

A recent donation provides hope, and much needed support for the 12,000 people in the Ottawa area suffering from schizophrenia. 

Chris Ide, president of the Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 16 that a $2.5 million donation is going toward launching The Royal's Ozerdinc Grimes Family Regional Psychosis Clinic, which will provide specialized support and services for people with schizophrenia.

Ide said that the disease is highly treatable, and the clinic provides renewed hope not only for patients and families but will hopefully act as a model of schizophrenic care for Canada and the world. 

Ide explained that due to the continuing stigmatization of mental illness, especially schizophrenia, there's less funding to help people access support. 

“When I think of diseases like cancer or heart disease, mental illness has a lot of catching up to do,” Ide said. “For example, there's no blood test to confirm a diagnosis or a genetic test to predict a mental illness yet.”

Despite the catching up the field may need to do, Ide said there's an incredible amount of hope that the future of mental health care will be different, especially with gifts like this. 

Cynthia Clark, a member of The Royal Ottawa Hospital Family Advisory Council, told The Sam Laprade Show that she's delighted about the clinic, but it's a long time coming. 

“This is something that's so necessary and needed…and will help so many people struggling with psychotic illnesses and their families,” she said, adding that it was a “breath of fresh air” to provide this for the community.  

Listen to the full interview with Chris Ide and Cynthia Clark below: