North Shore MLAs Jane Thornthwaite, Naomi Yamamoto and Ralph Sultan today officially opened the new Carlile Youth Concurrent Disorders Centre, a dedicated unit for youth with mental-health and substance-use challenges at the Greta and Robert H. N. Ho Centre for Psychiatry and Education (HOpe Centre) at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver.

The centre was developed thanks in part to noted West Vancouver philanthropists and donors Jack and Leone Carlile. Jack Carlile passed away in September 2016.

The 10-bed unit for youth aged 13 to 18 years will focus on assessment and stabilization of patients with short stays of 14 to 21 days. With a higher ratio of staff than an adult unit, it is designed to be a welcoming, safe and youth-friendly space, rather than a traditional adult-oriented hospital setting. Located on the third floor of the HOpe Centre on the Lions Gate Hospital campus, the new youth unit is separate from the adult mental health and addiction unit on the fourth floor.

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Jack and Leone Carlile donated $2 million of the $4.7 million in capital costs to build the youth unit. Lions Gate Hospital Foundation surpassed its fundraising target last September for the remaining capital costs to raise $5.1 million, and the Province of B.C. is providing the $3.1 million in annual operating costs for the unit through Vancouver Coastal Health. Admission to the unit begins in April 2017.

Opened in 2014, the HOpe Centre is a state-of-the-art facility, purpose-built to provide seamless integrated mental health and addiction services both in hospital and as outpatient services.

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Today’s announcement supports a number of priority areas that will help better meet the needs of people struggling with mental health and substance-use issues. Government remains firmly committed to providing better access to appropriate substance-use services and supports, through a commitment to create 500 new substance-use beds by March 31, 2017. The beds included in this announcement support this goal.

Budget 2017, with $165 million provided in targeted mental-health and substance-use investments, is helping government address gaps in the system. It is providing patients and families with better information and ways to navigate the system, and integrating and co-ordinating services throughout the province. The Ministry of Health spends about $1.45 billion each year to support people in need of mental health or substance-use services and supports.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province. In doing so, these construction projects are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the fiscal plan of the B.C. government.

Quotes:

Jane Thornthwaite, Parliamentary Secretary for Child Mental Health and Anti-Bullying and MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour –

“About 70% of serious mental-health issues start before the age of 25. With help from Jack and Leone Carlile, we are targeting investments toward prevention and early intervention for children and youth to give families greater access to the help they need before their issues become crises.”

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –

“Exactly one year ago we were celebrating the new centre, and it’s amazing to look back and see the progress we have achieved. This new centre will serve as an excellent stepping stone to help youth facing mental health and substance use challenges.”

Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano –

“With private bedrooms, recreation areas and a chance for young people to relax and socialize, the new centre pays attention to supporting youth as people, rather than just as clients seeking treatment. It’s this well-rounded approach that makes the care soon to be provided at the Jack and Leone Carlile Centre so special.”

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –

“The community was greatly saddened by the passing of Jack Carlile, a generous and kind person for whom we hold many special memoires. I know the youth of Vancouver will appreciate the safe, welcoming environment of the Jack and Leone Carlile Centre.”

Anne Carlile, niece of Jack and Leone Carlile –

“Our family feels a great sense of pride that Jack and Leone became the lead donors to help make this centre a reality. The open shell that Jack and Leone toured last year has been transformed into a remarkable, welcoming treatment facility. Their biggest wish was to ensure health, hope and healing for our struggling younger generation…a place to build spirit. This is clearly that place.”

Vancouver Coastal Health president and CEO Mary Ackenhusen –

“The Carlile Centre will be a critical part of VCH’s response to the growing trend of mental health and substance use diagnoses among 13 to 18 year olds, and more importantly, to the distressed children and the desperate parents behind the numbers. The centre will be an essential part of our full spectrum of prevention, early intervention, treatment and harm reduction services that are intended to “wrap their arms” around young people and return them to their families with a renewed sense of health and well-being.”

Pierre Lebel, chair, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation –

“We are incredibly fortunate to have donors such as the Carliles in our community. Their exceptional generosity and leadership in giving back is an inspiration to us all and will go a long way towards ensuring that the best quality mental health care is available to our most vulnerable youth.”

Learn More:

Visit the new mental health digital hub to find services near you: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/find-services-near-you

A comprehensive fact sheet on services for mental health or substance use concerns: news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-comprehensive-mental-health-and-substance-use-services-in-bc

For more information on accessing community-based Child and Youth Mental Health services: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/mental-health-intake-clinics

To visit the youth mental health services map: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/find-services-near-you/youth-mental-health-services