$5 million donation will help expand mental health programs at Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital

A gift of $5 million will go directly to support the redevelopment and expansion of the Mental Health & Addictions unit at Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH).

Gifted by Michael and Laura Paletta, the funds will go to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation’s “$20M For All Minds Campaign” to support the cause.

“Our family has felt firsthand the impact of mental illness, and understands the value of innovative and lifesaving care,” said Michael Paletta. “Laura and I firmly believe that this campaign has the ability to transform lives and help make Joseph Brant Hospital a world-class provider of mental health and addiction care right here in Burlington.”

According to the foundation, the gift recognizes an urgent and growing need to redevelop JBH’s Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) program space to create therapeutic facilities that ensure a dignified, respectful, person-centred experience.

The three core elements of the redevelopment project include a relocation and expansion of the Inpatient Mental Health and Addictions Unit with the addition of a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a relocation of some of the Outpatient Mental Health Unit, and the addition of a new Child and Youth Mental Health Day Hospital.

“We are truly honoured and grateful to have received this gift. Michael and Laura’s support, passion and commitment to improving mental health and addiction care in our community is inspiring,” said Anissa Hilborn, Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation President & CEO. “In recognition of this transformational gift, once complete the new unit will be named the Michael & Laura Paletta Mental Health & Addictions Unit.”

According to those at JBH, it has a vision to build a modern, person-centred facility that is purposefully designed to instill hope and support healing that is consistent with the program philosophy to provide the safest and most dignified care to patients.