March 24, 2023
GRANDE PRAIRIE - Northern Alberta youth have greater access to mental health supports with the opening of a four-bed youth inpatient psychiatry pod at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.
The new youth inpatient psychiatry pod will serve the needs of individuals ages 14-17 years who have acute and complex psychiatric disorders and behavioural concerns.
“We are continuing to prioritize the mental health and addiction recovery of young Albertans with the opening of these new beds in northern Alberta,” says Nicholas Milliken, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “Youth in northern Alberta will have more access to the specialized treatment and recovery care while remaining close to home and support systems.”
The pod is part of the hospital’s 28-bed inpatient psychiatry unit, which includes an adult psychiatry pod, geriatric psychiatry pod and psychiatric intensive care pod.
“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,” says Susan Given, Executive Director of Addiction and Mental Health, AHS North Zone.
“We know people can feel overwhelmed as youth and their families go through one of the most difficult times in their lives in experiencing a mental health crisis,” adds Patrick Sesay, Director of Addiction and Mental Health Inpatient Psychiatry, AHS North Zone. “Being able to provide care closer to home and include family as part of the recovery process is of utmost importance, particularly for young people.”
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
