Young people struggling with mental-health and addiction challenges and their families now have easier access to a range of services under one roof as several programs relocate to a new facility.
Located at 101-7635 King George Blvd., the new facility is open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. It includes nurses, allied health professionals, dietitians, physicians, psychiatrists and administrative staff. Grouping these services in one location means young people can receive a spectrum of support for the challenges they are facing and stay connected to care when they need it.
“The challenges faced by young people are increasingly complex, and there are still barriers for them accessing the care they need,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The care teams at this new facility provide a continuum of community-based services all in one spot, so that young people can receive seamless, co-ordinated care and feel supported throughout their journey.”
Programs relocating to the new facility include specialist services to support young people and their families affected by eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, serious mental-health challenges and addictions. The Fraser South Short Term Assessment Response Team (START) also provides assessment and interventions for youth experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis. There is also an infant clinic that provides assessments and treatment for families with children up to age five.
“With the growing youth population in Surrey, there’s an increased need for youth-focused, holistic mental health and addictions support,” said Jinny Sims, MLA for Surrey-Panorama. “I’m so pleased that this new hub will bring together these important services, making it easier for young people to get the support they need to thrive.”
In addition, the new space will allow the Surrey Child and Youth Transition Team to expand, adding 10 new staff to support youth to access community mental-health resources, navigate their long-term health and well-being, and reduce the need for readmission to hospital.
Last year, the programs now based at the new site served at least 2,750 referrals. The spacious new facility will allow care teams to respond to increased demand, while providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for youth. It includes a sensory room and a sacred space, as well as a kitchen for meal support and cooking groups.
“The new environment has been meticulously designed to create safety and security for clients accessing services,” said Geneva Healey, director for child and youth, young adult mental health and substance use services, Fraser Health. “The new site also strengthens partnerships with our youth and young adult services to do better quality work together. I hope that youth, families, and their communities will feel collective care when they enter this building and know they do not have to solve their problems alone.”
Through Budget 2023, the Province has invested $236 million over three years to create more services for young people, including crisis supports, culturally safe wraparound services, enhanced transition services and improved emergency room hospital-based care and discharge planning.
Quote:
Rachna Singh, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers –
“It’s so important that children and young people have access to all the care they need and are supported to navigate the different services available. This centralized hub makes it easier for young people and their families to connect to the supports they need along their pathway to hope and healing.”
Quick facts:
- The Fraser Health region is home to 41% of children and youth in British Columbia.
- At any given time, an estimated 95,000 children in B.C. ages four to 18 are experiencing a mental-health disorder.
- Approximately 75% of mental-health issues emerge before the age of 25.
Learn more:
For more information about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C., visit https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/
For more information about Fraser Health Authority’s child and youth services, visit https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/children-and-youth/child-and-youth-mental-health-and-substance-use
A backgrounder follows.
Backgrounder
New child, youth facility centralizes mental-health, addiction services in Surrey
The new site covers more than 650 square metres (7,000 square feet) and includes 11 consult rooms, a sensory room, an exam room, a medication room, an accession room, three large group rooms, an activities daily living teaching kitchen, a screening room, 46 work stations, four private offices, two private talking spaces, a staff lounge, a sacred room and a business centre. Parking is free to staff, clients and families.
Programs relocating to the new site:
- Fraser South Eating Disorders supports clients with concerns related to eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake and binge eating. Clients and their families can get support in a youth-friendly environment, co-located with other youth programs. Ministry of Child and Family Development, Child and Youth eating disorders program will be collocating with Fraser Health adult eating disorders programs at this site.
- Regional Eating Disorders Centralized Intake supports clients of all ages in the Fraser Health region to connect with the eating disorders programs. Call 604 592-3700 for information on programs and eligibility criteria.
- Surrey Memorial Hospital Child and Youth Transition Team supports patients and their families throughout and after hospital discharge with assessments, individualized care, system navigation, referral co-ordination, client advocacy, crisis planning and medication monitoring. The transition team has served 169 youth since it launched in October 2023.
- Fraser South Short Term Assessment Response Team (START) provides assessment and intervention services for children and teens, ages six to 18, in the Fraser South Health region who are experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis. The START South team served 1,380 youth in crisis and 753 youth urgent psychiatric assessments, last year.
- Infant Clinic serves families with young children from birth to five years old who live in the communities that are part of Fraser Health. A child psychiatrist and therapist provide specialist mental-health consultation and short-term treatment to support infants’ developmental, social and emotional needs.
- Neuropsychiatry Clinic provides specialized assessments and consultation for neuropsychiatry and neuro-developmental child and youth disorders.
- Youth Concurrent Disorder Program provides assessment and intervention services to individual young people from 13 to 24 years and their families with and affected by serious mental-health problems and substance use. Youth Concurrent Disorders last year served 164 referrals.