Overview

Some people facing mental health and addiction challenges may require inpatient treatment at a hospital.

A person’s physician may refer them to a hospital for inpatient treatment. In crisis situations, the person may be taken to the hospital by the emergency services, such as police.

Many hospitals in Ontario provide inpatient mental health and addictions treatment. However, only those which are “Schedule 1” hospitals under Ontario’s Mental Health Act can admit people involuntarily, that is, without their consent. To be admitted involuntarily, a physician must determine that the person meets the criteria under the Mental Health Act.

The Health Care Consent Act governs when a person can be treated. Even if a person is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric facility, they cannot be treated without their consent or the consent of a substitute decision maker in a non emergency situation.

After a person has been admitted to hospital, they will work with their physician to determine an appropriate plan of treatment.

After discharge from hospital, a person may continue to receive follow-up services through a hospital outpatient clinic. The person may also be referred to community based services and supports.

The information provided below is to help individuals identify where psychiatric facilities and hospitals are.

Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO)

Physicians in designated Schedule 1 mental health facilities can change a patient’s legal status. Under the Mental Health Act, a doctor must contact a rights adviser to meet with the patient whose legal status has changed. The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO) a program under the Ministry of Health, is designated by the Schedule 1 facility/hospital to provide rights advice as required under the Mental Health Act to:

  • patients in Schedule 1 facilities/hospitals/units whose legal status has changed
  • persons in the community being considered for the issuance/renewal of Community Treatment Orders and their Substitute Decision-Makers (SDM), if any

The PPAO provides the only Minister-approved rights adviser training and certification under the Mental Health Act. Rights advisers do not work for the hospital, and the service they provide is free and confidential.

Learn more about services and find contact information on the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office website.

Designated psychiatric facilities under the Mental Health Act

Schedule 1

The following health facilities are designated as Schedule 1 psychiatric facilities.

Schedule 2

The following health facilities are designated as Schedule 2 psychiatric facilities.

Schedule 2 psychiatric facilities are exempt from the requirement to provide in-patient services under paragraph 1 of subsection 4(1) of Ontario Regulation 741 (as amended.)

Schedule 3

The following health facilities are designated as Schedule 3 psychiatric facilities.

Schedule 3 psychiatric facilities are exempt from the requirement to provide out-patient services under paragraph 2 of subsection 4(1) of Ontario Regulation 741 (as amended.)

Designated hospitals under the Criminal Code and Youth Criminal Justice Act

Designated Hospitals under Part XX.1 / Mental Disorder of the Criminal Code (Canada)

Designated Hospitals under Part XX.1 / Mental Disorder of the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Youth Criminal Justice Act

General hospitals under the Public Hospitals Act

View a list of general hospitals on this page.