(Markham, ON – July 22, 2026) The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York Region South Simcoe as an Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Network Lead Organization (NLO) is proud to partner with Oak Valley Health as our first Service Delivery Site for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Access to publicly-funded rTMS has been expanded across Ontario for adults with treatment-resistant depression.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is improving access to innovative mental health care across Ontario. The expansion of publicly funded rTMS services will help more people living with treatment-resistant depression access evidence-based treatment closer to home, when and where they need it most,” says Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
The publicly funded rTMS program is available through Ontario’s Neurostimulation Procedures Provincial Program, supported by a recent provincial investment of $5.4 million to expand access to treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression across Ontario. Approximately $321,585 has been allocated to support service delivery at CMHA York Region South Simcoe in collaboration with Oak Valley Health. Ontario Health is leading implementation of the program through its Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.
“Partnering with Oak Valley Health to launch our first rTMS delivery site marks a transformative milestone for mental health care in our region and province,” said Andrew Chung, Chief Executive Officer of CMHA York Region South Simcoe. “By integrating this advanced treatment into the provincial program, we are directly breaking down barriers to specialized care. This collaboration embodies our commitment to building a high-quality and accessible mental health system that meets people exactly when and where they need it most, at no cost.”
One-in-five people in Ontario with major depression have treatment-resistant depression. rTMS is a safe, effective, evidence-based treatment that stimulates targeted areas of the brain, used for people whose depression has not responded to medication or psychotherapy. rTMS has shown clinically meaningful efficacy in these patients.
rTMS is a non-surgical treatment and no anesthesia is required. The treatment involves a small magnetic coil placed on the head that delivers targeted magnetic pulses to areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. One course of treatment is typically 30 sessions (five days/week for six weeks).
“Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions among the patients we serve, and while many individuals improve with medication or psychotherapy, a significant number continue to experience symptoms despite these treatments,” said Yaakov Keilikhis, Director, Mental Health and Allied Health, Oak Valley Health. “Expanding access to publicly funded rTMS gives our patients another evidence-based treatment option that has been shown to improve depressive symptoms, enhance functioning, and increase the likelihood of recovery for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Through our partnership with CMHA York Region South Simcoe, we are strengthening our stepped-care model by ensuring that patients can access the right treatment at the right time, closer to home, while receiving seamless, coordinated care within their own community.”
The program is available to individuals in Eastern York Region via referral, to individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Individuals are required to speak to their physician, nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist about a referral. More information can be found on CMHA’s website: https://cmha-yr.on.ca/get-support/rtms/. To learn more about Ontario’s new publicly funded Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) program, visit: Depression and Anxiety-Related Concerns – Neurostimulation Procedures Provincial Program | Ontario Health.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region and South Simcoe
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health with 75 branches across the country, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and addiction.
CMHA York Region and South Simcoe (CMHA YSS) is one of the fastest growing branches of CMHA, last year serving more than 21,000 clients. With a vision of providing Mental Health to All, CMHA YSS offers more than 30 mental health and addictions programs for youth, adults, family caregivers, local businesses, and community organizations. To find out more about the work of the Canadian Mental Health Association York Region and South Simcoe, go to www.cmha-yr.on.ca
About Oak Valley Health
Oak Valley Health is one of Ontario’s leading community health care organizations, dedicated to delivering high quality, patient-centred care. Across our two hospitals — Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital — as well as the Reactivation Care Centre, more than 490,000 patients are cared for annually. We are proud to be part of the Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team (EYRND OHT), providing expanded access to care through the Community Health Clinics (CHC) in Stouffville and Uxbridge and the Virtual Urgent Care Clinic (VUCC).
We offer diagnostic and emergency services and deliver clinical programs in acute care medicine and surgery, addictions and mental health, and childbirth and children’s services. With a team of 656 board appointed physicians, midwives, and dentists, alongside over 3,200 nurses, allied health, and other employees, and more than 1,000 volunteers, we are honoured to care. Our commitment to celebrating our people, fostering connections, and driving innovative growth guides everything we do. We provide integrated care for healthier communities and deliver an extraordinary patient experience to patients, families, and residents across York and Durham regions. Learn more at oakvalleyhealth.ca.
