By paNOW

New playground opens for youth facing mental health issues

Jun 6, 2018 | 6:00 PM

Young patients seeking treatment for mental health issues have a new outlet for their energy with the unveiling of a new playground today on the grounds of the Victoria Hospital.

The new children’s area is located outside the child and youth unit at the Victoria Hospital and includes a play structure, rubber paving and new fencing.

Trudy Hamilton, nursing manager of the mental health child and youth inpatient unit, said the new playground will allow kids to take a break from their struggles. The child and youth inpatient unit houses 10 beds and two overcapacity beds for young people, who are dealing with issues such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, depression and anxiety, she said.

“The kids come to us with very, very adult problems, and I’m not talking what their diagnosis is on admission,” Hamilton added. “They very frequently have worries that should be left to the adults. They can’t be kids.”

A number of groups contributed toward the creation of the new playground, which was led by the Victoria Hospital Foundation, including local-area members of the Elks and Royal Purple District Two. The group’s chair, Nick Trofimuk, said Wednesday that while the club’s members have been dwindling, the organization remains committed to funding mental health projects within the health region.

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Club members from Prince Albert and surrounding communities volunteer their time to work bingos to help fundraise for the unit, he said. The club has raised $138,000 for mental health initiatives since 2014, and contributed another $25,000 as part of the playground opening on Wednesday.

“Mental health needs a lot more funding,” Trofimuk added.

Hamilton said providing a fun and creative space for kids is important to healing.

“They can just focus on leaving those worries and troubles behind for a few minutes and just be free,” she said.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018 to include a mention of the Victoria Hospital Foundation.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt