With two high profile deaths in a short time - first, actor Andrew Koenig took his own life in Vancouver at the age of 41, then Marie Osmond's son jumped to his death at 18 - it got me thinking again about why this project matters so much.
Because people who are suffering, whether from depression, schizophrenia, addiction or whatever - have got to have places they can turn to for help.
Comfortably, while not fearing a loss of dignity.
I think many of us have visions of mental health and addiction facilities shaped by what we've seen in movies, read in books, and that generally forms a strong resistance to ever having to reside in or go to a mental healthcare facility for help. It's fear based, and much different than our internal reaction to the thought of going to a hospital for surgery or some other ailment. People are just plain afraid to ask for help sometimes, because they fear the help itself.
The reality is the teams at our hospitals provide outstanding care and impact people's lives in tremendous ways.
Help is out there.
But it's often provided in settings that are less than ideal. Aged buildings, built at times when we had much different beliefs and understandings about mental health and care, shared rooms, etc. perpetuate the Hollywood stereotype and feed into our hesitation.
This new hospital will fly in the face of those old sterotypes, with modern design, integrated care - so people can come get help for depression or get an MRI - and a warm, welcoming, patient centered focus. Patients will have their own rooms, privacy and dignity while they heal.
It will be the kind of place someone like Andrew Koenig or Marie Osmond's son might be a bit more likely to walk into - and walk out of able to lead a fulfilling life.
That is is why this matters. A lot.