The 11th edition of the Open Minds evening has once again made history.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and engagement of our community, a record-breaking $1,030,000 was raised in support of mental health research and care at the Douglas Institute.

An Evening Dedicated to Hope

Held in a warm and inspiring atmosphere, the event brought together leaders from the business community and dedicated philanthropists, all united by a shared commitment to advancing mental health research.

Hosted by our new spokesperson, Maripier Morin, the evening was a powerful demonstration of solidarity and collective action.

We would like to extend special recognition to our Honorary Co-Chairs — Kim Thomassin, Guy Côté and Alexandre L’Heureux — whose leadership and commitment were essential to the success of this year’s event. Thank you also to our board of directors, who are always committed to our success, especially Véronique Talbot and Caroline Côté.

Meaningful Moments, Real Impact

Among the highlights of the evening, the live auction, brilliantly led by our spokesperson, raised $39,500, while the raffle generated $19,735, thanks to the generosity of donors who contributed exceptional prizes.

Every contribution, large or small, directly supports research teams working to better understand, prevent and treat mental illness.

A Lasting Impact Since 2017

Since its inception in 2017, Open Minds has mobilized nearly $4.5 million for the Douglas Institute. These funds have supported major advancements in mental health research, creating tangible benefits for individuals living with mental illness and their families.

We are incredibly proud to add this year’s record-breaking total to that growing impact.

 

Thank You to Our Valued Partners 

An event of this scale would not be possible without the remarkable commitment of our partners. 

Presenting Partners: La Caisse, WSP Global, National Bank Financial 

Gold Sponsors: Intact Insurance, Blackstone, BMO, Skadden, TPG, Fiera Capital 

Silver Sponsors: Bell, Canderel, Power Sustainable, Fasken, CIBC, Solotech, CAE, BFL Canada, Oak Hill Financial Inc. – AQR, JPMorgan Chase, McCarthy Tétrault, Coller Capital, PICTON Investments 

Bronze Sponsors: Sagard, Nymbus Capital, Synex Insurance, KPMG, Blakes, Stikeman Elliott, MKB – MacKinnon Bennett & Co., Idealist Capital, Altheria, Osler, Nesto, Alimentation Couche-Tard, BlackRock, Kruger, Gallagher, Jarislowsky Fraser, Levio, Teralys Capital, White Star Capital, EY, Groupe Desgagnés, Bank of America, GardaWorld, Mackenzie Investments, Behaviour Interactive, Agropur, Brookfield, Davies, BLG, PwC Canada, Axium Infrastructure, Air Canada, Norton Rose Fulbright, GreenShield 

Their commitment to mental health makes a meaningful and lasting difference. 

 

Relive the Open Minds Evening in Photos 

Discover the photos captured by our photographers, immortalizing the highlights of the evening. Click on the link below to access the complete album. 

See the photo album 

Last night, the Douglas Foundation was delighted to bring together audiences for a one-of-a-kind comedy night: the Douglas Show. Thanks to the generosity and engagement of everyone, $107,000 was raised to support mental health research at the Douglas Institute.

Brilliantly hosted by Jo Cormier, the evening featured unforgettable performances by our five guest comedians Liliane Blanco-Binette, P-O Forget, Ève Côté, Patrick Groulx and Matthieu Pepper, who kept the audience laughing from start to finish.

The Douglas Foundation would also like to sincerely thank its valued partners, whose support was essential to the success of the event. Agropur, official presenter of the evening, Stikeman Elliott, Hope Builder, as well as Dialogue and Bell as partners. Thank you also goes to our ambassador Familiprix | Pharmacie David St-Jean Gagnon for their commitment to the cause.

Because there’s something powerful about starting the year with laughter, especially when it supports such an important cause.

To relive the evening or see what you may have missed, we invite you to view the event photos here: photo album.

Thanks to an exceptional $205,000 donation from the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation, the BLOOM program at the Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health will be able to support even more young people aged 9 to 25 and their families. 

With 75% of mental health disorders emerging before the age of 25, BLOOM aims to intervene early by following young people over several years to better understand their needs and improve their access to care.  

The BLOOM program aims to: 

• observe risk and protective factors over time; 

• gain a deeper understanding of young people’s real needs; 

• improve timely access to specialized mental health services; 

• develop tailored, evolving prevention and support resources. 

Guided by advisory councils made up of youth, parents, and caregivers, BLOOM remains deeply rooted in lived experience and in the realities families face every day. 

This contribution allows for the launch of arts-based groups — in visual arts, music, and theatre — which foster self-esteem, emotional expression, and a sense of belonging, all essential components of youth well-being.

An annual showcase will celebrate participants’ creativity and achievements. 

Thanks to this generous support, the program will continue doing what it does best: providing support, prevention, and hope, one young person at a time. 

The second edition of Builders of Hope, presented by Desjardins, brought together a community united around one mission: advancing mental health research. 

Thanks to the generosity and engagement of everyone in attendance, $150 000 was raised to support research initiatives at the Douglas Institute. Held as a lunch & talk, the event shed light on pressing research needs and concrete pathways to drive lasting change. 

The reflections shared by Nathalie Larue, Julie Godin, Marie-Hélène Thibault and Dr. Gustavo Turecki provided thoughtful, grounded perspectives that resonated with participants and enriched the conversation.  

Guests also enjoyed a meal thoughtfully prepared by Espace 21, contributing to the warm, intimate, and meaningful atmosphere of the gathering. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the partners who made this event possible: 

Official Presenter

• Desjardins

Sponsors

• National Bank

• CGI

Partners

• EY

• McCarthy Tétrault

• Global Payments

To relive the moment, or see what you might have missed, the photo album is now available. 

Thank you once again to everyone who joined us. We look forward to welcoming you at our upcoming events. 

The Douglas Foundation team 

Join the movement!

Whether you already support the Douglas mission or are discovering it today, we invite you to take the next step by joining the Builders of hope – Women’s Circle.

This Circle brings together women committed to advancing mental health research — a field that remains significantly underfunded across the country.

With an annual gift of $1,000 (or $83.33/month), become a Builder of Hope and help drive essential projects that address women’s needs while supporting the work of our researchers.

This collaborative effort is focused on understanding and treating depression and suicidal thoughts, with the goal of developing new preventative strategies that can make a real difference both locally and globally.

In Canada, depression and suicide are major public health issues. Approximately 11% of men and 16% of women will experience major depression at some point in their lives, and suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people. At the Douglas, specialized programs like the Complex Mood Disorders Program offer tailored care for individuals facing these challenges.

Thanks to the support of the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation, five talented researchers at the Douglas are diving into innovative projects to address these urgent issues:

– Dr. Marie-Claude Geoffroy is working on a project that links adolescent clinical records to explore the long-term impact of suicidal thoughts. She’s also comparing the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents with other treatments.

– Dr. Massimiliano Orri is investigating how behaviors like irritability, hyperactivity, and inattention can increase suicide risk in youth. He’s using global data and conducting new research in high-risk clinics to uncover more insights.

– Dr. Reut Gruber is exploring the connection between sleep disorders and adolescent mental health. Her goal is to integrate sleep-focused interventions into treatment plans to improve mental health outcomes.

– Dr. Corina Nagy is looking for new ways to assess suicide risk by identifying biological markers, like extracellular vesicles, in adolescents with depression.

– Dr. Anthony Gifuni is studying how social cognition and emotional regulation affect youth with mood disorders. His work aims to improve interventions and deepen our understanding of depression and its progression.

Together, these projects bring a fresh, multi-dimensional approach to mental health research, helping to improve care for those struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.

In recognition of his unwavering commitment to advancing mental health research, Jeffrey Katz CPA, President & Chairman of the Board of the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation was also honored with our Builder of Hope award. This award celebrates the Foundation’s dedication to improving mental health care and his instrumental role in facilitating the foundation’s generous donation to the Douglas Research Centre. Jeffrey’s leadership and vision have been vital in supporting groundbreaking initiatives that aim to transform mental health treatment and prevention strategies, bringing hope and healing to individuals and communities affected by mental illness.

We are grateful to him and the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation for allowing us to build hope for all those whose lives have been affected by mental illness.

Mr. Katz as most of us who are passionate about mental health, has had his family touched by this illness. He would like to leave you with the following advice: If you are prescribed medication take it. If you see someone who is suffering help them.  What they have is nothing to be ashamed of.  It’s no different than a broken leg. Don’t sit on the sidelines, you may save a life.

Centered around Marie-Ève’s testimonial ​​who suffers from a schizoaffective disorder, the campaign encourages everyone to take action on issues of mental illness by making a donation to support cutting-edge research carried out at the Douglas Institute. Each donation represents a building block that builds hope for all those whose lives have been affected by mental illness.

“Building Hope – The movement is a way of giving ourselves the means to improve the mental health of everyone by supporting research at the Douglas. We are the most underfunded sector of the public health system, both privately and publicly. It’s time for a change,” says Laura Fish, President and CEO of the Douglas Foundation.

View the campaign message

Client: Douglas Foundation
Production: Moonstruhk
Director: Mathieu Grimard
Media: Challenge Media

The ISIC program operates in partnership with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services (CBHSS) as well as the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS), and strives to provide culturally appropriate mental health support (hospitalization and psychiatric follow-ups) for Indigenous people experiencing severe mental health challenges that cannot access care within their home community.

During hospitalization, patients receive clinical support from Canada’s leading psychiatric service providers, but a key challenge is providing a therapeutic environment for healing that aligns with Indigenous cultures within the walls of a hospital.

Support from the Bank of Montreal and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is aiding our efforts to provide tailored support to Indigenous patients on their journey to wellness. They made it possible for us to provide over 600 traditional food and meals in partnership with Cree and Inuit community members and organizations located in Montreal, offering patients a taste of home during their stay at the Douglas.

In addition to providing traditional Indigenous meals, we endeavoured to make the Douglas a space that feels safe and welcoming for Indigenous patients. To this end, we commissioned two pieces from renowned Ojibway artist Thomas Sinclair. With these projects, among others, we hope to create a home away from home, and build hope for Indigenous patients in a way that values their culture, customs, and healing traditions.

Centered around the testimonial of Magalie who suffers from a borderline personality disorder, the campaign encourages the population to take action in the face of mental illness problems by making a donation to the organization or by sharing content available on their social platforms during the month of October.

The most recent data by the Government of Canada shows that one in three Canadians will be affected by a mental illness during their lifetime. Building Hope – The movement hopes to inspire people to take action by showing the true face of mental illness that goes beyond staggering statistics.

According to Laura Fish, President and CEO of the Douglas Foundation, “Magalie’s testimonial reminds us that psychiatric disorders are our collective responsibility, that we must build hope for these individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. The pandemic has shown the crucial needs that exist on many levels, whether we are thinking of funding research that allows us to improve the treatments that are offered or access to mental health care.”

Desjardins Group is joining the campaign and will match every donation made to the Foundation by October 31, up to a combined total of $50,000. “Mental health is a major challenge for our society, and we’re facing increasingly urgent needs in research and direct patient care. Our support will help people who really need it and also contribute to advancing mental health research and care,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group.

The Douglas Institute observed an overall increase of 69% in the number of mental health requests for services at the Douglas over the last ten years before the COVID-19 pandemic. An upward trend that puts pressure on the clinical services and super-specialized programs developed at the Douglas Institute, some of which are offered throughout Quebec.

Despite a situation that may be worrisome, Dr. Gustavo Turecki, Scientific Director of the Douglas Research Center and Chief of Psychiatry at the CIUSSS Montreal West Island wants to be reassuring: “We have unique clinical expertise here at the Douglas that allows us to make discoveries that will improve people’s lives and enable them to recover.” According to the specialist, one of the obstacles to the deployment of scientific advances in mental health remains funding. “We need more resources to enhance our existing services and programs and deliver them to more people in need,” he says.

For Ms. Fish, the most important thing is that the campaign succeeds in touching the hearts of people and emboldens them to take action. “We need to highlight the importance of research to build hope for our patients and those who need help, but I think our greatest strength this year is to showcase real people like Magalie who tell us how mental health care and medication have changed their lives,” she concludes.

Building Hope – The movement will be held from October 10 to 31, 2022. It is possible to join the campaign by making a donation on the Douglas Foundation’s website or by sharing the content published on their social platforms throughout the month of October.

To watch Magalie’s testimonial:

https://fondationdouglas.qc.ca/en/movement/

This year, more than $190,000 was raised with their 2022 edition of the The Derby, a high-level sporting event presented by Desjardins that puts young professionals from various fields to the test against each other.

Let’s Bond is a Montreal collective of 50 socially involved young professionals that raises funds for organizations that work more concretely in mental health. Over the past ten years, the collective has managed to raise more than $2 million, which has been donated mainly to the Fondation Jeunes en Tête and the Douglas Foundation.

So thank you once again to the Let’s Bond collective for helping the Douglas build hope for all those whose lives are turned upside down by mental illness.

Marie-Hélène Thibeault, who is the founder and ambassador of the event, believes that it is now essential to act in the face of what many call the “second pandemic”, that is to say the marked resurgence of the need for mental health resources in Quebec and Canada. She brings up some rather concerning recent statistics:

• 35% of salaried people in Canada say they are burnt out.
• One in five workers feels in crisis or is worried about their ability to cope with the situation.
• At least 30% of short-term and long-term disability claims in the country are attributable to mental illnesses or mental health-related issues.

Marie-Hélène, who firmly defends the benefits of physical activity on mental health, believes that the Mind on Health Challenge is a perfect opportunity for families, individuals and businesses to talk openly and proactively about mental health and create opportunities for empathetic dialogues to break taboos, while raising funds to support research at the Douglas.

Therefore, inspired by the theme of “reaching your peak for mental health”, the sports challenge invites donors to register individually or form a team to take up a challenge of their choice during the Thanksgiving weekend, including the possibility of climbing a summit of a ski resort.

So far, twenty-two mountains have confirmed their participation in the initiative, namely Mont-Orford, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Stoneham, Owl’s Head, Vallée Bleue, Mont Adstock, Baie des Sables, Mont Sutton, Bromont, Mont Rigaud, Centre de plein air de Lévis, Massif du Sud, Mont Avalanche, Mont Blanc, Mont Habitant, Mont La Tuque, the Ski Montcalm station, the Val Saint-Côme ski station, the Park of Mont-Bellevue, Mont Grand-Fonds, the Saint-Bruno ski station and La Réserve Ski station.

To register for the Mental Health Challenge and build hope for mental health, click here.