Executive Council
Health and Community Services
September 24, 2014
Strengthening Mental Health Services for Youth and Families
Premier Designate Officially Opens New Youth Mental Health Treatment Centre in Paradise
A new treatment centre for youth with complex mental health needs was officially opened today by Paul Davis, Premier Designate of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for the District of Topsail.
“This is a very important day for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Mental illness and addictions have a deep impact on individuals and families. For a long time it was a subject that we did not talk about openly. We need to put those days of stigmatization behind us and I want all families to know that our government will continue to work on their behalf to improve services and meet this challenge head on.”
- Paul Davis, Premier Designate of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA, District of Topsail
The centre can accommodate up to 12 young people ages 12 to 18. The facility has three separate living quarters each containing four bedrooms with private bathrooms, a kitchen and lounge area. The centre has a school area, a multipurpose room, a gym and physical fitness room and a dedicated space for overnight stays for visiting family. The length of stay will be determined by the individual needs of the youth but, on average, is estimated to be in the range of six to 12 months.
“This new treatment centre for youth with complex mental health needs will complement the recently opened addictions centre for youth in Grand Falls-Windsor. Having local access to these specialized services closer to home and family is essential in the healing process. As we move forward with other initiatives such as the adult addictions centre in Harbour Grace and replacement of the Waterford Hospital, we will continue to build upon our momentum in addressing mental health and addictions.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services
The centre will provide a safe environment for young people with structure and routine, incorporating everyday life experiences as a guide to daily living and coping skills. The treatment program offered at the centre will include individual, group and family counselling. Youth will engage in therapeutic recreation, art and music therapy and attend school onsite with learning goals based on their individual needs.
“The Paradise youth treatment centre will provide much-needed mental health services and supports to the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador, allowing them to remain close to their homes, friends and families. Ultimately, our aim is to provide these young people with a supportive and therapeutic environment where they may develop the tools needed to meet their goals and successfully transition home following treatment.”
- Don Keats, Interim President and CEO of Eastern Health
Residents of the facility will come from a wide variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and will struggle with an array of complex mental health issues, including depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and self-harming behaviour. Staff are currently screening and accepting referrals and plan to begin admitting youth in October.
The Provincial Government invests approximately $100 million annually for mental health and addictions programs and services delivered by the four regional health authorities.
QUICK FACTS
- Paul Davis, Premier Designate of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for the District of Topsail, officially opened a new treatment centre for youth with complex mental health needs in Paradise today.
- The new facility complements a similar facility in Grand Falls-Windsor for youth with addictions.
- Each facility can accommodate up to 12 young people ages 12 to 18. Both have three separate living quarters each containing four bedrooms with private bathrooms, a kitchen and lounge area; school area; multipurpose room; gym and physical fitness room; and, a dedicated space for overnight stays for visiting family.
- Approximately $100 million is invested annually for mental health and addictions programs and services delivered by the four regional health authorities.
- In addition to the two new youth treatment centres, the Provincial Government is currently developing a new adult addictions centre in Harbour Grace and has started the process of replacing the Waterford Hospital with a new state-of-the-art facility.
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Media contacts:
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Kevin Guest Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 730-2320 kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca |
Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
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Jackie O’Brien Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1339 jackie.obrien@easternhealth.ca |
2014 09 24 4:30 p.m.