Surrey Memorial Hospital treats more children and youth for mental health issues than any other hospital in BC. Additionally, re-admission rates for those experiencing mental illness are significantly higher than those with other health conditions. In 2023, more than one in 10 were re-admitted within 30-days.
Moving from hospital into community services is a vulnerable time for children and youth with mental illness. This is what inspired the idea of the Surrey Child and Youth Transition Team. The Team provides up to four weeks of support for vulnerable young people and their families as they are moved from the hospital into community treatment services. Support includes things such as assisting with medication management, scheduling doctor appointments, enhanced safety planning, accessing exercise and social programs, and school reintegration when needed.
The extra support has resulted in a reduction in re-admission to the hospital. Given this success, the provincial government has announced an addition of 10 new staff to the Transition Team. The expanded Team has found a permanent home in the new youth mental health and addictions hub located in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood.
Thank you to our donors who have played a critical role in getting this support in place for vulnerable youth. Such a great example of how working together can change lives.
