The Université de l’Ontario français and Montfort join forces to expand mental health training in French
Ottawa, December 4, 2025 – Montfort, Ontario’s Francophone academic hospital, the Institut du Savoir Montfort and the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF) signed a partnership agreement today to offer certificates, training internships, staff and student exchanges, as well as research, innovation and creation projects in various fields of common interest.
This collaboration will start in January 2026 with the introduction of a microcertificate in Mental Health. This short program will provide training in French to health professionals from Hôpital Montfort on issues related to mental health and addiction, to better respond to the growing demand for mental health services within Francophone communities.
The microcertificate will address a range of themes including addiction; the psychopathology of major mental disorders and substance use disorders; crisis intervention; suicide prevention; and professionalism and ethics in mental health. This one-year program is for social workers, registered nurses, nursing assistants and nurse practitioners, among others.
“This is the first agreement of its kind between UOF and a hospital—a major step that testifies to the growth of our institution and its commitment to the needs of the Francophone health system. We’re proud to be able to collaborate with such an important health pillar in Ontario, and we’re convinced of the value and necessity of this training to expand access to services in French,” said Normand Labrie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UOF.
"The partnership between Montfort and UOF responds to current mental health needs and is a natural extension of our vision of a bold Francophonie for healthy communities,” said Estelle Ethier, Vice-President, Teaching and Research at Montfort, and Chief Executive Officer of the Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM), the organization responsible for coordinating research, clinical internships and continuing professional development at the hospital. “As part of our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, we aim to increase the number of Francophone learners in health through an expanded collaboration with our partner educational institutions, and to implement enhanced professional development measures.”
According to Dr. Marie Gendy, MD, MSc, PhD, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Mental Health Program at UOF, “Mental health issues are not limited to psychiatric units. Patients admitted to emergency rooms, surgical units, long-term care, and even administrative staff are often faced with concomitant mental health challenges. Providing more employees with mental health training will surely contribute to providing patients with more holistic and adapted care.”
About the Bachelor of Mental Health at UOF
In September 2025, UOF added a Bachelor of Mental Health to its list of programs. The four-year program provides engaged, person-centred, action-oriented training. Students develop concrete skills in intervention, prevention, support and social innovation, while exploring the psychological, social and cultural dimensions of mental health. Employing an inclusive and holistic approach, the goal is to help individuals and communities face issues related to addiction, and to actively contribute to social justice and positive change.
About the Université de l’Ontario français
In the heart of Toronto, the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF) is the only university offering its programs entirely in French, including in education, management, communications, psychology, social justice and ecology. These programs are designed to respond to the current needs of the labour market. Through a pedagogical approach based on experience and innovation, UOF is training a new generation of bilingual and committed professionals open to the world. Proudly Francophone, it actively contributes to the cultural, social and economic vitality of Ontario’s and Canada’s Francophonie.
About Hôpital Montfort
Montfort is Ontario’s Francophone academic hospital, providing exemplary person- and community-centred care. Montfort is one of six hospitals in Canada that are teaching hospitals; serve a general population; have intensive care, obstetric, mental health, rehabilitation and other acute care beds; are among the top 50 hospitals and top 40 research hospitals; and have more indicators above average than below, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
With its vision of a bold Francophonie for healthy communities and as part of its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, Montfort aims to serve a growing and aging population; expand French-language services; strengthen its social responsibility; enhance the impact of education and research; and innovate to remain a sought-after environment.
Awarded the highest distinction by Accreditation Canada three years in a row, Montfort is the first hospital to be designated Francophone host as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.
About the Institut du Savoir Montfort
The Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM) is the academic and scientific pillar of Hôpital Montfort. Its mission: to be a unique Francophone environment, combining education, research and innovation in health. Through its initiatives, ISM contributes to training the next generation and disseminating new knowledge to improve care.
Guided by the vision of a bold Francophonie for healthy communities, ISM aims to increase the impact of education and research by expanding the number of Francophone learners in health, increasing the volume and quality of research activities, and creating partnerships with businesses to stimulate innovation.
By basing itself on innovative projects and strategic partnerships, ISM embodies Montfort’s boldness and vision: building a future where science and practice combine to offer exemplary, person- and community-centred care.
Media requests
Université de l’Ontario français: communications@uontario.ca
Hôpital Montfort: communications@montfort.on.ca
Institut du Savoir Montfort: ism-communications@montfort.on.ca