A new unit supporting adults facing mental health problems has opened in Saskatoon, providing a place for patients to stay for a short time; but for some advocates, it’s not enough.
The new mental health unit at Royal University Hospital has seven beds for adults.
Patients arrive through the emergency department and are assessed by a psychiatrist before being diagnosed and admitted to the unit.
In some cases, should they require more than a week’s stay, they could be admitted to the longer-term care Dubé Centre for longer-term care.
Stays can range from a few hours to up to seven days depending on needs.
“Ideally the team would meet with them, further assess what their needs are,” explained Karyn Kawula, director of inpatient mental health and addictions services for Saskatoon Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
“(The team would) work with them on what they would need during their stay to help transition them safely in a supported way back to the community.”
The unit cost $1.1 million in renovations, along with $1.55 million a year in annual funding, starting in 2019. Nurses are on-site 24-7, and psychiatrists are available throughout the week and on-call at night and on weekends.
More supports needed: advocates
Advocates say there’s a real need for units like this – such as the tragic case of Samwel Uko last spring.
The above video show’s Uko being removed from Regina General Hospital on his second attempt to get help for his mental health.
He died a few hours later.
His uncle, Justin Nyee, said this unit is a good first step but not enough to help people like Uko.
“My nephew, he told them what is actually like … a person goes in and tells them, ‘I have a mental health (problems)’ and they still don’t believe him,” he said.
“There is a lot need to be done in a sense of educating the nurses, training them on how to deal with people with mental health (problems).”
He said he’d like to see health-care professionals be more compassionate with people experiencing mental health crisis.
“Not everyone goes in to say ‘I have mental health (problems)’ is lying or not telling the truth. It takes a lot from a person to come in and say (that),” he said.
The SHA says it makes mental health training available for health-care professionals.
The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Saskatoon chapter said the number of people seeking help has tripled since the pandemic began, and the second wave has made it all the worse for people.
The group’s executive director said there also needs to be more support in the community for people after they leave the hospital.
“We (need to) look at ‘What are people transitioning back to when they’re done there?’,” said Faith Bodnar.
“That’s a really important thing, is to talk about how is our community positioned to support people given the expansive growing need that we have.”
While patients stay at the unit they’re guided to what services they can access for help after they leave, according to the SHA.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
Crisis Services Canada’s toll-free helpline provides 24-7 support at 1-833-456-4566.
Kids Help Phone operates a toll-free helpline at 1-800-668-6868 with 24-7 support for young people as well as the Crisis Text Line, which can be reached by texting HOME to 686868.
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