Health
Mental health care on the North Shore will be enhanced with the Greta and Robert H.N. Ho Centre for Psychiatry and Education (HOpe Centre).
The treatment facility, which will move patients in before the end of the year, will help people struggling with mental health and substance use challenges by bringing together clinicians and programs from across the North Shore into a single, central location.
“The HOpe Centre represents the commitment of both our government and the community to ensure those in need of care on the North Shore get the help they need,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “This facility will provide a more integrated approach to the delivery of mental health and addiction challenges, while also supporting the next generation of doctors and researchers.”
The $62.2-million, 14,700-square-metre (158,229-square-foot) HOpe Centre is located on the grounds of Lions Gate Hospital and replaces the hospital’s aging 26-bed inpatient psychiatric unit originally built in 1929. In addition to the inpatient psychiatric floor, the centre will include mental health outpatient clinics, the Djavad Mowafaghian UBC Medical Education Centre, a clinical research trials unit, a resource centre and a permanent home for BC Ambulance services.
“Families play an important role in the healing process, and when members are educated in coping and communication skills, this can help reduce the relapse rate of their loved one. Providing as much support, information and resources to both the family and patient is an important aspect of the HOpe Centre,” said Dr. Allan Burgmann, medical leader for inpatient psychiatry.
The HOpe Centre will feature a comprehensive range of services, including The Kelty Dennehy Mental Health Resource Centre, which will provide information and materials on mental health issues to patients, families and the community. A peer support program will help youth, adults and older adults with serious and/or persistent mental illness achieve personal goals, learn new skills and link with community services. North Shore Adult Community Mental Health Services will also be based in the building, bringing more than eight different services and supports under one roof.
“The patient journey towards mental health and wellness can be long and complex,” said Mike Nader, chief operating officer at VCH-Coastal. “These programs will encompass a wide range of medical disciplines in order to collaboratively support clients and provide them a continuum of care that is recovery-oriented.”
To further support this continuum of support, a social enterprise café, the second such project at Vancouver Coastal Health, will be operated by Blenz Coffee through the Canadian Mental Health Association. The café will provide employment opportunities to clients with mental illnesses, helping them to work successfully in a supported environment.
With the new Djavad Mowafaghian UBC Medical Education Centre, specialists and medical students will be drawn to the North Shore. The medical program will be able to teach up to 100 students per month at Lions Gate Hospital—many of whom are likely to stay and work in the community.
“The concept of a visionary facility that promises to provide compassionate, comprehensive mental health care, while also reducing the stigma of mental illness really resonated with our community,” said Judy Savage, president of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. “We are truly grateful to the more than 5,000 individuals and organizations who embraced our vision and generously supported the Foundation’s HOpe Centre Campaign.”
The provincial government provided $38.2 million to the construction of the HOpe Centre, with the remaining $24 million contributed by the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Of this, philanthropists Robert and Greta Ho generously donated $10 million to the facility, while Djavad Mowafaghian provided $4 million to support UBC’s Medical Education Centre. The City of North Vancouver also donated a piece of city-owned land, which enlarged the project site.
(flickr.com) Media Contacts:
Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)
Viola Kaminski
Public Affairs Officer
Vancouver Coastal Health
604 708-5338
604 312-1148 (cell)
