Dunham House is Expanding
Dunham House is Expanding
Jun 23, 2023

Robert Patterson

At the end of July, Dunham House will open its new $2 million residence that will increase its capacity from 28 residential places to 40. If you did not know, Dunham House is a residential treatment centre located in Dunham for people with mental health issues and concurrent disorders including addiction; it is also the only residential facility of its kind in Quebec that operated its programs in English and as such is a critical resource for the English-speaking mental health community in Quebec.


Care for those who suffer with mental health issues is hard enough in all cases, but when the facility operates in another language from your own, the task is all but impossible. This was the experience of Dunham House founder and president Dan Colson who could not find a suitable place for a member of his own family. Little did he know how long and hard this journey would be as he worked to start a facility himself.


A major barrier was the classic "not in my backyard syndrome" For several years, trying to find a location for a new residence was blocked by communities that were fearful of having people with mental health issues as neighbours. Most people would have given up, but Colson did not. Finally, by accident an ideal place appeared, and Dunham House opened on 84 beautiful acres in Dunham in 2017 with 28 beds. The site had previously been owned and operated by the Catholic Church, which used it for various purposes including summer camps and choir schooling. Unable to continue themselves, the Church saw in Colson's vision an ideal match of their idea of a community purpose and sold the property to Dunham House, a registered Canadian Charity.


Colson and his team raised the $1.5 million required to renovate the property and to hire staff. Within a couple of years, it was clear there was not enough capacity at Dunham House to meet the demand; approximately 90 percent of the residents come from the Montreal area with the balance mainly from the Eastern Townships. Planning for an expansion began in 2020 and the $2 million required to add another building to provide more accommodation was successfully raised by Colson over the next two years.


Why should you care?

Who of us today does not know of a family member or a friend who is suffering? COVID has been a terrible source of stress and has greatly increased the demand for help. Mental health issues are not "Out There." They are pat of all our lives now.


How can you help?

Dunham House has a wonderful full-time staff but can always use help from volunteers. Can you drive people to their doctors' appointments or shopping? Can you teach a skill such as music, yoga, or help someone learn to paint? Dunham House has a vegetable garden and hens. Can you help in the garden and with the animals? Do you have something to offer? If so, please contact Murray Brohman who is the General Manager of Dunham House.

Share This Article!

Blooming in Recovery: Dunham House's garden project and the benefits of horticultural therapy for mental health and addiction treatment

By Anthony Berger • 23 Apr, 2024
Springtime in Dunham
a person is holding a pile of white pills in their hands

Understanding Opiate Addiction: Effects and Paths to Recovery

By Anthony Berger • 07 Mar, 2024
Opiate addiction is a complex and pervasive issue affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The opioid crisis has reached epidemic proportions, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities.
a woman is standing on top of a mountain with her arms in the air .

Ana - Female, 37

05 Mar, 2024
I’ve been wanting to take care of my addiction problem for the longest time, and although I have done therapy in the past, it was nothing in comparison to Dunham House  I’m very grateful to be able to benefit from this program. I was provided with a safe place to stay at throughout these past months with help from a great counsellor and different workshops, I was given the opportunity to learn valuable tools and life skills that will help me regain control over my life.
a canadian flag is flying in front of a house in the snow

Honouring the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney

By Don Joyce • 01 Mar, 2024
Honouring the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, Chairman of Dunham House Advisory Board
the sun is shining through the trees on the side of the road .

Enabling vs. Helping: How to recognize the difference.

By Anthony Berger • 08 Feb, 2024
Addiction is a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. When someone we care about is struggling with addiction, it's natural to want to support them in any way possible. However, there's a fine line between enabling and helping, and understanding the difference is crucial in providing effective support.

Dunham House Announces the opening of Dunham House Outpatient Services, January 8, 2024, in Montreal.

By Don Joyce • 21 Dec, 2023
Dunham House is a residential treatment centre that helps individuals suffering from mental health and concurrent disorders, including addiction. Over the years, Dunham House has helped hundreds of people overcome a wide variety of challenges that life has thrown their way. It is Dunham House’s mission to provide the tools and support to help people cope with and recover from their illnesses. Since 2017, Dunham House has operated a 28-bed residential treatment centre located in Dunham, Quebec, 90 kilometers from Montreal in the Eastern Townships. In September 2023, Dunham House celebrated the opening of a new additional building at its Dunham site with 12 additional beds and new counselling and recreational facilities. Dunham House’s residential programs are designed, among other things, to help individuals with a chronic or prolonged history of substance use and concurrent disorders. Residents benefit from a supportive environment and the care needed to implement the changes necessary in their life. Daniel Colson, Dunham House’s President, said; ’With so many of Dunham House’s graduates returning to their lives in the Montreal area, establishing a local support centre in Montreal is a logical next step. Our mission is to help as many people as possible who are suffering. These new programs will reinforce our residential programs and help our former residents stay true to their goals after they have finished their stay at Dunham House. With today’s announcement, Dunham House is extending its continuum of care beyond its Residential and Alumni Programs. Dunham House Outpatient Services will include: · Counselling for friends and family of people suffering from mental distress and addiction. · A one-month Pathway Program for people who know they need support and require grounding and guidance as they begin their recovery journey. · A three-month Outpatient Program designed for former residents of Dunham House’s residential programs. This program is for people who want to build upon their positive accomplishments. Graduates from equivalent programs are welcome. · An Extended Program for people on the road to recovery who want to benefit from the continued support of Dunham House’s counsellors and group sessions. We base the length and composition of the Extended Program on each individual’s needs. · A meeting place for Dunham House alumni to come together in Montreal for regular group sessions. Dunham House Outpatient Services’ office is in the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex (QEHC), 2100 Marlowe Ave., Montreal, QC, H4A 3L5. The QEHC is Montreal’s not-for-profit community-led health complex, providing an extensive array of quality mental health care accessible to all. The QEHC is a short walk from Sherbrooke St. and the Vendome Metro. For information about the Dunham House Residential Programs or the Dunham House Outpatient Services, visit www.dunhamhouse.ca , email contact@dunhamhouse.ca, or call (450) 263-3434 where someone will be available to take your call 24/7.
Show More
Share by:
<