“I had never felt so low in my life. I had just turned 18 and I didn’t even know if I would make it to 20,” remembers Joanne, “I had this image—from old movies I guess—of what a mental health unit in the hospital would be like. Padded walls and straightjackets. But I didn’t know where else to turn and I was afraid I would never get better. So I turned to Humber’s Emergency Department for help.”

The nurse in Emergency told Joanne, “It takes a lot of courage to step in and ask for help. You’re going to be okay.”

The nurse that day in Humber River Hospital’s Apotex Emergency Department spoke to Joanne just like a person going through a rough time. She told Joanne, “It takes a lot of courage to step in and ask for help. You’re going to be okay.”

Joanne was admitted to the Child & Adolescent Mental Health unit and found the same care, attention and support there that she had experienced in the Emergency Room. She didn’t feel like a patient, she felt like a person.

“I’m so grateful to everyone at Humber—and to the people in the community who support the Hospital with donations,” says Joanne. “Because of you, I was able to get the help I needed.”

Joanne has realized that she is a lot stronger than she had given herself credit for. She is currently in college studying Emergency and Disaster Management. Her job will be to help people and communities respond from natural or large-scale disasters, connecting the police, fire, city services.

Right now, our nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers in Emergency and across the Hospital are preparing for a spike in patient admissions during the holidays.

“Humber made me realize that there are a lot of ways to help others,” she says. “Humber also made me realize 2 really important things. First, we all need to know that people are here to help us. And second, that asking for help actually makes you stronger.”

For many of our patients like Joanne, our Emergency Department is the first step in their journey with Humber River Hospital. On average, we see almost 400 patients every day—and your kind and compassionate help is a part of every single patient story.

Right now, our nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers in Emergency and across the Hospital are preparing for a spike in patient admissions.

As the cold weather comes, we see an increase in patients due to falls and accidents, as well as cold and flu season. Your help right now is crucial to
help us prepare for this surge. Your gift will be put to work immediately in Emergency and right across the Hospital, providing urgent and critical care for our patients and families here during the holidays.

Your gift will provide help for more people like Joanne.