Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

GPRH

AHS adding youth mental health support to GPRH

Mar 24, 2023 | 2:13 PM

The province says the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital will now have the ability to support local youth with the addition of a four-bed youth inpatient psychiatry pod.

Nicholas Milliken, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction said in a release, ” We are continuing to prioritize the mental health and addiction recovery of young Albertans with the opening of these new beds in northern Alberta, Youth in northern Alberta will have more access to the specialized treatment and recovery care while remaining close to home and support systems.”

This new psychiatry pod was placed in the existing 28-bed inpatient psychiatry unit, which houses adult psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and psychiatry intensive care pods.

Susan Given, Executive Director of Addiction and Mental Health for AHS North Zone said in a release, ” These specialized spaces are an important extension of mental health supports that will be specifically designated for youth and will enhance the range of services we offer youth and their families to support them in living satisfying, hopeful lives.”

These beds will be used for youth aged 14 to 17 who are dealing with acute and complex psychiatric disorders and behavioral concerns.

The province adds they hope with this addition they can make youth feel more comfortable, getting treatment a lot closer to home, along with families as they know they can access the services they or their child needs without driving to Edmonton.

As that only puts more pressure on a family already experiencing a very difficult time.