First-of its kind mental health unit for youth in the GTA now open at St. Joseph's Health Centre
Donors fund construction and programming for vital mental health care
TORONTO, March 31, 2022 /CNW/ - St. Joseph's Health Centre is celebrating the opening of the new RBC Mental Health Short Stay and Transitional Age Youth Unit, thanks to the generous support of donors who share the hospital's commitment to mental health care. This new unit is the first of its kind in a Toronto hospital setting, focusing on youth who are making the transition from adolescent care to adult care—a critical time for young people with mental illness.
The new RBC Mental Health Short Stay and Transitional Age Youth Unit is designed to improve the experience for young adults and features six newly-designed patient rooms, two patient lounges and innovative technology to improve patient safety, staff safety and overall work flow. This new unit is possible thanks to RBC Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its partners, Cheese Boutique, Solidifi, The Mackay Family and Macdero Construction and the St. Joe's Plate Committee, its sponsors and attendees and other donors.
"This is meaningful contribution for all of us at RBC because it is providing direct support to young people at-risk due to mental illness," says Daniel Sadler, Regional Vice President – West Toronto, RBC Royal Bank. "Statistics clearly show the need for better mental health care, especially for those who are transitioning to adult care. We are pleased to play a part in improving the system to ensure youth have easy access to the services they need."
Donors are also supporting programs to train and give our teams the skills and tools they need to care for those with mental illness. "Mental health care is needed more than ever, especially for youth who are most at risk," says Maria Dyck, President of St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation. "The Ihnatowycz family, the Keenan Family Foundation and the Beresford Foundation are donating to create new programs that improve how we offer care for those needing mental health support both within and outside St. Joe's."
The incredible support received from donors gives the St. Joe's mental health team the education, tools, technology and resources needed to improve early intervention and provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to treat everyone who turns to St. Joe's for mental health care.
St. Joseph's Health Centre has one of the largest, most comprehensive mental health programs in Toronto with more than 60,000 visits annually. "Our teams are highly-skilled in treating people with mental illness," says Dr. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto. "We have specific units for children and youth, for those who need emergency mental health care, for people looking to recover from drug and alcohol dependencies and a mental health intensive care unit. This new unit is focused specifically on young people moving from adolescence to adulthood. For many, this age is when they have their first mental health issues and specialized care can make a huge difference to them now and moving forward. We are very grateful to all of our donors for making the new unit and its programs possible."
For more information:
About St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation
St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation supports St. Joseph's Health Centre, a part of Unity Health Toronto, in meeting the health-care needs of Toronto's west-end community. Nearly a century ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph founded St. Joe's with the promise to take care of the west end, now home to more than 500,000 people. The Foundation ensures we keep this promise by partnering with donors, partners and neighbours to support the most critical needs of the Health Centre. For more information on St. Joseph's Health Centre, visit unityhealth.to and to learn more about the impact of giving, go to supportstjoes.ca.
About Unity Health Toronto
Unity Health Toronto, comprised of St. Joseph's Health Centre, Providence Healthcare and St. Michael's Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. For more information, visit unityhealth.to.
SOURCE St. Joseph''s Health Centre Foundation
Valerie Picher, 647.289.5873, [email protected]
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