When treatment's not enough, there's another way.
This World Mental Health Day, we’re shining a spotlight on a critical initiative for people dealing with treatment-resistant mental disorders: the CHUM’s centre for therapeutic innovation in psychiatry and associated disorders.
A harsh reality
Mental health issues affect one out of every five people in Quebec, and 10% of the population struggles with depression.
However, conventional treatment isn’t always enough: 60%–70% of patients with depression do not respond to front-line psychotherapy and pharmacological approaches. This resistance to treatment can cause years of suffering, isolation and an inability to function, deeply affecting peoples’ personal lives, families and careers.
In response, the CHUM is putting forward a bold vision to act faster than disease by developing novel treatment approaches that are accessible and tailored to each patient, including people living with chronic disorders who can finally access treatment that’s right for them.
An idea taking shape
One of the new treatments being explored in psychiatry is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, which has proven to be remarkably effective. Administered under medical supervision, mild doses of ketamine have offered a significant reduction in symptoms for patients with severe treatment‑resistant depression. Based on these promising results, the CHUM has launched an ambitious initiative to better understand the treatment, set up proper supervision and make it accessible to those in need. This is why the Centre for therapeutic innovation in psychiatry and associated disorders was founded: to bring together clinical and research teams who are working together to provide safe and tailored care based on the most up-to-date data.
A rapidly evolving project
Since summer 2024, a number of key steps have been taken in the development of the centre for therapeutic innovation in psychiatry. The Montreal Model is an integrative approach combining third-wave cognitive-behavioural therapy and ketamine treatment that has been used at CHUM since 2024 to provide groundbreaking care to patients with treatment-resistant depression. Recent data has confirmed that the effects of this treatment are enduring.
A second treatment room has been opened, doubling annual care capacity, and a clinical trial protocol for research combining treatment of depression and drug addiction will be established in spring 2025.
Finally, the CHUM has begun sharing its insights with other institutions to extend access to these treatments throughout the healthcare system.
Each donation is a direct contribution to widening access to these innovative treatments. Thanks to the support of its donors, the CHUM is able to advance mental health research and provide specialized care to more patients.
