Island Health has unveiled a new initiative in Victoria, offering specialized support for individuals grappling with acute and severe mental health challenges.
The newly established Bridging Care day program aims to provide recovery-focused, trauma-informed treatment to individuals whose day-to-day lives are significantly impacted by mental health issues.
This innovative program is designed to offer short-term, skills-based services and transitional support, spanning an average duration of four weeks.
It serves as an alternative to hospitalization for individuals requiring psychiatric care due to the severity of their conditions.
“When you’re facing serious mental health challenges, getting the right help at the right time is crucial. Hospital stays aren’t always the best or only option,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“The new Bridging Care program in Victoria offers a different path. It’s a welcoming place where people can build skills to better manage their mental health, and a kind team of professionals is there to guide them. This paves the way for a smoother recovery journey.”
The program, housed at the Eric Martin Pavilion on the Royal Jubilee Hospital campus, can accommodate up to 15 individuals at a given time.
Referrals to the program must come from healthcare professionals, with admission contingent upon acuity, suitability, and the individual’s willingness to actively engage in the intensive program operating from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Bridging Care supports people experiencing a mental health crisis related to anxiety, depression or trauma and who have challenges regulating emotions or coping with distress,” said Dr. Wei Song, Executive Medical Director of Mental Health and Substance Use for Island Health.
“The program equips clients with the skills and strategies they need to learn more about their illness and how to manage it, and provides them with strategies to pursue their recovery goals.”
In a media release, Island Health said the Bridging Care offers a welcoming, non-judgmental outpatient environment, aiming to prevent or reduce the need for extended inpatient hospital stays.
Clients are encouraged to actively engage in the program daily, participating in a range of recovery-focused treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, group-based recovery, life skills training, movement, yoga, art therapy, mindfulness exercises, goal setting, and various other therapeutic interventions and supports.
Participants in the program engage in daily group sessions, skill practice, individual counseling, and access nursing and psychiatric support.
Additionally, Bridging Care serves as a crucial link between hospital and community-based services, facilitating further support in the community as required.
