New Mental Health, Addictions Crisis Centre for Youth Open in Thompson

June 16, 2017

Youth in northern Manitoba dealing with a mental health or addictions crisis can now access the care and services they need at the newly openedHope North Recovery Centre for Youth, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today.

“While services have been available at a temporary location, this new facility offers a place for youth in the north to come to when they need crisis services for mental health or addictions issues,” said Goertzen.  “I want to thank our partners and the community for their support and hard work in making this project a reality.”

The new, $7.7-million, 9,000-sq.-ft. facility is located near the Thompson General Hospital and next to the new Addictions Foundation of Manitoba residential treatment facility.  Services at the facility include:

• a four-bed crisis stabilization unit which will provide a secure place for youth undergoing a mental health crisis, including youth at risk for suicide, for up to one week;
• a two-bed addictions stabilization unit for youth who are severely and persistently abusing drugs, with involuntary admissions guided by The Youth Drug Stabilization (Support for Parents) Act; and
• a base for mobile crisis and outreach services, which provide intervention and assessment for youth in Thompson and within a 110-kilometre radius.

“The opening of this facility has been long awaited and will provide the infrastructure and programming needed to deliver vital support, build on resiliency and offer  hope to children, adolescents and their families, “ said Helga Bryant, Northern Health Region CEO.  “We are excited about providing this excellent resource for northern Manitoba.”

The minister noted the new building was designed to be more energy-efficient, use less energy and improve indoor air quality and ventilation.

“The community had the opportunity to provide advice on the design and the layout of the building, which includes natural light and large windows to better connect youth to the outdoors nearby,” said Kelly Bindle, MLA for Thompson, who attended the event in the community today on behalf of Goertzen.  “I know this new facility will make a real difference for youth and their families here in northern Manitoba, and I congratulate everyone as this new centre opens.”

For more information on northern health services, visit www.northernhealthregion.ca.

– 30 –

The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the government of Manitoba and the Northern Regional Health Authority.

NT4