Construction has begun on the new Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre, which will provide support for those living with mental illness and substance use challenges.

Located on the grounds of Vancouver General Hospital, the eight-storey facility will be approximately 12,250 square metres (131,800 square feet) and aims to open in the spring of 2017.

Consolidating mental health and substance use inpatient, outpatient and outreach services, the facility will have 100 private patient rooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, exercise facilities, areas for meditation, and rooftop gardens in addition to the research and academic spaces.

Health Minister Terry Lake was joined by philanthropists Joseph and Rosalie Segal and guests to officially mark the facility’s groundbreaking in mid-October.

“One in five Canadians is diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. This can take a toll on families, the community and society,” said Lake. “I thank Joseph and Rosalie Segal for their generous contribution, which will go a long way to ensuring British Columbians living with mental illness and substance use challenges are given a helping hand on the path to wellness.”

The centre will be the largest purpose-built facility of its kind in the province, caring for people with mental illness and substance use problems from all walks of life.

“The cost and impact of mental illness is great—not just for families and communities, but to the health-care system itself,” said Vancouver Coastal Health president & CEO Mary Ackenhusen. “By opening a new mental health centre at Vancouver General Hospital, we will be empowered to provide effective, streamlined care using updated services to achieve the best value for our health-care dollars.”

The centre is expected to cost approximately $82 million and will meet LEED Gold green building certification standards to minimize its environmental footprint.