The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) at 1001 Queen Street West is currently undergoing a big change. As it is now, the CAMH property is exhibiting an institutional model, which makes people stay away. It just looks like a place not to approach, but this will soon change. In order to change the image most have of CAMH, they want to change this to an urban village model. An urban village model will help make CAMH look like part of the community instead of an isolated campus for the mad. People have negative views of CAMH and the redevelopment is trying to change this. Half of the property will go towards regular use; in patient rooms, research facilities, etc. The other half CAMH is opening up to the public. They want local businesses to buy parts of their land and open up shop, so they can attract people to the area again. Stores like coffee shops, book stores and grocery stores will help the locals integrate CAMH back into the community. Another plus to this is that CAMH has negotiated with the businesses already on board for their patients to work at their stores. This is in the hopes that the stigma of “mad people can’t function is society, let alone work” will be broken. A lot is riding on this project and many people are counting on its success.
-Hayley
*all images provided from the CAM-H website
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