Supports non-existent for high risk youth in southern Alberta

“Frustrating and hard”…those are the words Beryl Brantner uses to describe how difficult it can be when dealing with a loved one with a mental health disorder.

Her grandchild, who is now a teenager, experienced life-changing trauma as a young child, so Brantner took it upon herself to find help, but she quickly realized there was no where she could turn to. “I couldn’t find anything that said mental health, or extensive counseling,” she said.

She turned to her good friend Molly Hollihan, whose grandson also has a mental illness, specifically struggling with self-harm. Together, the two grandmothers did some searching and were shocked to find the lack of supports for youth suffering from severe mental health issues.

“There is so many kids and it’s just really sad that we don’t have the resources or something to take care of this,” said Hollihan.

Both ladies decided to take matters into their own hands, bringing their concerns forward to Alberta Health Services. They have asked the province to create supports for high risk teens, as there is currently nothing available in southern Alberta.

“We’re advocating for a facility that would be a residence, so the professionals can properly work with these youth at risk,” said Brantner.

AHS recognizes the need for such a facility in the South Zone. “The type of more intensive residential treatment or youth with mental illness is something that currently does not exist within our area,” explained Trevor Inaba with AHS.

“There is work underway right now to look at a provincial bed plan for child and adolescent addiction and mental health services across the province.”

Brantner and Hollihan hope that by creating awareness they can help other families who are going through similar struggles.

“I’m hoping the government realizes the richest resource we have is our youth. Let’s look after them,” said Brantner.