Some solace may be coming for young adults experiencing mental health troubles as Island Health announced the opening of a new unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital specifically for that demographic.
According to Island Health, this unit is providing specialized, age-appropriate care for young adults and has been since the official opening in November 2023.
The 16-bed unit took a phased approach to their opening and only just now released information about it to the media.
Island Health says that they decided to reconfigure an existing unit to make space for the specialized unit. They noted that this decision was made due to a rising number of young people experiencing significant “mental health episodes.”
“There’s nothing more important than helping young people recover and rebuild after a mental health challenge or crisis,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“This new unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital will help ensure we provide integrated, holistic services that meet the needs of young adults on Vancouver Island. This is one more tool we are using to ensure that young people can get the care they need, where and when they need it.”
Island Health says the team in charge of this unit includes counsellors, peer supports and mental health workers who are there to provide support to anyone from southern Vancouver Island to seek their services when needed.
The unit also provides therapeutic programs and group programming for those who want to set recovery goals and focus on various forms of therapy.
“In addition to providing evidence-based programming for younger people experiencing mental health challenges, Island Health has transformed the physical space on the unit with the goal to create a more inviting environment for patients and families,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair.
“This includes calming, scenic Vancouver Island murals, updated furniture, a family conference room, exercise equipment and Indigenous art created by Lon French.”
Island Health says they hope this unit will help to bring stability into young adults’ lives in the South Island region, with the goal of guiding those who need these services to community reintegration.
Island Health says prior to this unit being reconfigured, those aged 17 to 26-years-old were slipping through the cracks of Royal Jubilee’s psychiatric services. According to the mother of one of the unit’s patient’s, this program was an issue for her daughter.
“When our daughter, Kelsey, was admitted to 1South in 2017 it was solely an adult unit,” said Jill Duggan, mother of a young woman who struggled with mental health challenges.
“Kelsey was so vulnerable and at 17 she was not an adult.”
“She had just been transferred from ICU where she had been on life support after her second suicide attempt. She was terrified upon her arrival. Although she received good care, it wasn’t the best place for Kels.”
Duggan says that her daughter was discharged and had a recovery plan, but that fell apart. Kelsey lost her mental health battle, dying by suicide in 2020.
Following this, Duggan decided to begin working with Island Health to help those in need like her daughter.
“I became a patient caregiver partner with Island Health soon after we lost our girl, trying my best to help fill the gaps that Kelsey fell into. I am so grateful to witness the progress in patient care in Island Health,” Duggan said.
“I know that Kelsey would be pleased that there is a young adult mental health unit now, a place supported by people who are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment. A spot where young people like her can rest and heal. She would especially be thrilled about the therapy dogs.”
Admission to this unit is based on physicians’ assessment and referral. The unit is limited to those who are between the ages of 17 and 26-years-old and are experiencing an active episode of psychosis, mood disorder or having an exacerbation of one of these conditions.
