Sarah Downey: A Time of Excitement and Challenge in Mental Health

Healthcare Change Makers

Today’s guest has a special place in the HIROC archives. Sarah Downey was our first guest on Healthcare Change Makers when we turned on the mike in 2018. The years that followed that fun interview have been busy for Sarah. For 7 and a half years she was the CEO of Michael Garron Hospital where she shepherded the hospital through a major redevelopment project that included the newly opened Thomson Centre.

Six months ago, Sarah made the decision to move into the President and CEO position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, better known as CAMH. Leaving Michael Garron and the East York community was tough, but the pull to the mission of CAMH was stronger. Sarah believes mental health is the most important health issue of our lifetime.

It’s a new place and a new culture to learn about, but Sarah always comes back to the importance of being human and being vulnerable in a leadership role. Where talking to people in the coffee line-up is one of the most important things you can do as a CEO.

Quotables

“You forget until you have to make those transitions how emotional they are.” – SD

”It’s thrilling to see these latest two buildings. The spaces are bright and airy. They’re respectful, and focused on recovery, healing and dignified care.” – SD

“It’s not just a one in five who will get mental illness in their lifetime. It’s in everybody’s family. It’s in all your social circles, in all your employees. It’s everywhere.” – SD

“I had forgotten until I came back how many people call to get advice on how to navigate the system.” – SD

“Who’s more important for us to invest in than our young people? They are our future and we need them to be healthier and more resilient.”

“You need to regularly connect with people, use a bit of humour. They want to know that their leader is real.” – SD

“It’s become even more important the last few years to find a break and a space, but what an opportunity to learn.” - SD

“I hold my dad’s lessons in my heart every day and try to act in a way that would always do him proud.” – SD

“We should tell people every day in the moment how much they mean to us and how they’re helping us change our lives.” – PDS

Mentioned in this episode:

Michael Garron Hospital

CAMH: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

The history of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum

Dr. Hilda Tremblett

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - UHN

Dr. J. Downey, Past President, University of Waterloo (1993-1999)