“We’re not just treating mental health issues; we’re ensuring patients and families have access to the care that they need,” says Daniel Tziatis, Program Director for Mental Health & Addictions at Humber River Health.

In a community as vibrant and diverse as Northwest Toronto, access to mental health care is more important than ever. Humber River Health is working to ensure those who need it most get the support they deserve.   

“We’re not just treating mental health issues; we’re ensuring patients and families have access to the care that they need,” says Daniel Tziatis, Program Director for Mental Health & Addictions at Humber River Health. “Our donors have enabled us to build programs and suites of services that allow our patients to access the right service at the right time.”  

Humber’s Child & Adolescent Urgent Care Clinic (CAUCC) is a vital resource for young patients in need of urgent mental health support. Fully funded by donors, the CAUCC provides specialized psychiatric care for kids as young as 7 years old. Many arrive from Humber’s Apotex Emergency Department, facing mental health challenges that require more than standard care. For families in crisis, the CAUCC offers hope, guidance and the care their children need.  

“Having donors step forward to support programs like Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) makes it accessible to the people of our community in a way that it wasn’t before,” says Dr. Steven Selchen, Chief of Psychiatry at Humber River Health.

“Families are so grateful for the CAUCC, as it provides them with access to an interdisciplinary team that works collaboratively with them and their child,” explains Tziatis adding, “They truly appreciate our holistic approach, which goes beyond a single doctor or social worker to deliver comprehensive care and support.”  

But Humber isn’t stopping there. The hospital is introducing advanced therapies like Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), which helps patients who are battling treatment-resistant mental health disorders. This breakthrough treatment uses magnets to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for mood regulation. rTMS offers renewed hope for vulnerable patients who have not had success with traditional therapies, like medication.   

“rTMS is currently out of reach for many patients. It’s either available at private clinics, where patients pay out of pocket, or through limited research programs with strict eligibility criteria,” says Dr. Steven Selchen, Chief of Psychiatry at Humber River Health. “Having donors step forward to support this kind of program makes it accessible to the people of our community in a way that it wasn’t before.”  

Humber River Health’s commitment to patient centred care is reflected in our Mental Health & Addictions program, which focuses on both the quality of care and the interactions that shape it. Every step is guided by an interdisciplinary team dedicated to ensuring patients and families feel seen, supported, and valued.  

“We are reimagining what mental health care looks like in Ontario,” says Tziatis. “Every program we develop is shaped by listening to the voices of our community and building solutions together.”

Mental Health: Equitable Access to Services

Providing vital Mental Health Support for our community, Humber River Health’s Mental Health and Addictions program plays a pivotal role in addressing multifaceted mental health needs and stands as one of the largest in the GTA. Learn more at HealthcareLives.ca