About Douglas Hospital information site and editorial approach

What we cover (and what we do not)

This site covers a broad range of topics related to psychiatric hospital services in Canada, including:

• Inpatient psychiatric services: What they are, who they serve, how admission works, and what to expect during a hospital stay.
• Outpatient mental health programs: Types of outpatient care, how to access them, and what ongoing treatment looks like in the community.
• Crisis intervention services: When to seek emergency help, what crisis teams do, and how to access urgent psychiatric care.
• Addiction treatment programs: Integrated care for substance use and mental health, including detox, counseling, and recovery supports.
• Geriatric psychiatry services: Mental health care tailored to the needs of older adults, including dementia-related behavioral support.
• Youth mental health services: Age-appropriate psychiatric care for children and adolescents, including family involvement and school liaison.

We also provide context on how research and education contribute to mental health care, the role of university-affiliated institutes, and the importance of evidence-based practice.

What we do not provide: This site does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. We do not operate emergency services or crisis lines. We do not book appointments or provide referrals to specific clinicians or facilities. For all clinical questions, emergencies, or appointment requests, please contact your family physician, a hospital intake department, or your provincial health information line.

For detailed answers to common questions, visit our FAQ: accessing mental health programs page. For an overview of services and care pathways, see the Home: services overview page.

Editorial standards and source selection

We are committed to accuracy, transparency, and accountability in how we create and maintain content. All information on this site is informed by reputable sources, including Canadian public health agencies, major hospital networks, university-affiliated mental health institutes, peer-reviewed research summaries, and established international health organizations such as the World Health Organization.

Our editorial process prioritizes clarity and accessibility. We avoid jargon where possible, define technical terms when necessary, and organize content around the questions people actually ask. We review and update content regularly to reflect current evidence, policy changes, and best practices in mental health care.

Below is a summary of our editorial standards, including the types of sources we prefer and how often we review different content areas:

We do not accept commercial sponsorship or advertising, and we do not promote specific products, services, or providers. Our goal is to provide neutral, evidence-informed information that helps people make informed decisions about their mental health care.

Accessibility and usability commitments

We believe that mental health information should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, device, or connection speed. This site is built with semantic HTML5, ensuring that content is structured logically and can be navigated by screen readers and other assistive technologies. We use clear heading hierarchies, descriptive link text, and keyboard-accessible navigation.

Our design prioritizes readability, with a clean typographic scale, ample white space, and high contrast between text and background. We respect user preferences for reduced motion and provide focus indicators for keyboard navigation. Tables are marked up with proper headers and captions to ensure they are understandable in all contexts.

We are committed to clear navigation, plain language, and accessible design. Mental health information should be easy to find, easy to read, and easy to act on—for everyone.

If you encounter any accessibility barriers on this site, or if you have suggestions for how we can improve usability, we welcome your feedback. While this is a static informational site without a contact form, we encourage you to share your thoughts through community forums or by reaching out to mental health advocacy organizations that can amplify user voices.