People in northwestern B.C. will soon have access to enhanced mental-health services in a new state-of-the-art Seven Sisters mental-health facility under construction in Terrace.

“The new Seven Sisters will ensure that when people in northwestern B.C. need mental-health support, they get timely, high-quality care close to home, which is crucial to their recovery,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “We are committed to continuing to build a strong health-care service network in the region, which will help build resilient communities.”

Seven Sisters is a regional mental-health facility that provides long-term rehabilitation and recovery programs for adults living with serious and persistent mental illness. The redevelopment will allow more people to receive care in a larger space with additional amenities.

The new Seven Sisters will be nearly twice as big as the existing building and include 25 beds, which is an increase from the current 20. The new facility will also add treatment rooms, meeting spaces and recreational facilities. Patients will have access to abundant natural light and outdoor space.

“When people make the brave decision to reach out for mental-health and substance-use supports, it’s crucial that these supports are available no matter where they live,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The new Seven Sisters in northwestern B.C. will bring more treatment options to northern communities, adding to the comprehensive and seamless continuum of mental-health and addictions care our government is building for all British Columbians.”

The Seven Sisters project is part of the Mills Memorial Hospital replacement project. Construction on the new hospital started in June 2021 and is expected to be complete by fall 2024. The new hospital will also see an improvement in mental-health services, with 20 of the 78 beds dedicated to adult in-patient psychiatric care.

Northern Health is working alongside regional First Nations and Indigenous groups to ensure the new facilities are culturally safe, welcoming and relevant.

Both the new Seven Sisters and new hospital are being built on the same site as the existing facilities. The new Seven Sisters will be on the southwestern corner of the site to the left of the existing hospital’s main entrance. The existing Seven Sisters facility will be demolished, and the site will be used for the new hospital. The new mental-health facility is expected to be complete in late fall 2023.

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. is designing and constructing the hospital and the mental-health facility.

Quotes:

Colleen Nyce, chair, Northern Health board –

“Seven Sisters is a valuable facility in Northwest B.C. A new building is key to serving the needs of vulnerable populations in our region. The increase in the number of beds, the size of the facility and the amenities in the facility will improve the quality of living and care for patients, and improve the ability for staff to give that care.”

Barry Pages, chair, North West Regional Hospital District –

“Seeing the new Mills Memorial Hospital construction progress so smoothly and so quickly over the past year has been very rewarding for the people in our region. Now, with the construction of a new Seven Sisters beginning, the people of Northwest B.C. have even more to look forward to.”