This weekend CTV BC featured our mental health program, sharing the story of a young person that we are helping.
Our mental health program provides youth with access to immediate on-site treatment for mental illness and is coordinated by two in-house mental health clinicians from Covenant House and delivered by a team of six psychiatrists from St. Paul's Hospital. The psychiatric team provides service in both Covenant House locations, with a case load that includes approximately half of all youth in the shelter at any given time. Young people in the mental health project are also supported by other Covenant House programs, including case management, the transitional housing program, drug and alcohol counselling, and life-skills training.
This Program is innovative in that psychiatric services are being made available to homeless youth where and when they need them. The project offers the opportunity to proactively address mental illness among homeless youth and avoid hospitalization. Diagnosing mental illness and helping youth follow through with a treatment plan is key to improving their readiness to access and manage housing for themselves.
Thanks to CTV British Columbia's Jon Woodward for showcasing our mental health program and sharing this youth’s story.
Please click here to read the article and see the video.