Calgary youth mental health centre opening Monday
Posted Mar 10, 2023 11:29 am.
Last Updated Mar 10, 2023 11:33 am.
Calgary is going to see the opening of a new publically-funded $39 million mental health facility in the city’s northwest, Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced Friday.
The centre, called “The Summit: Marian and Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience,” will open on March 13.
It is located on 10 Avenue and 17 Street and is expected to offer therapeutic support through a day hospital, as well as community-based treatment.
In addition, The Summit will also provide walk-in services for anyone who would like to speak with a counsellor who is under 18 years of age, along with their family. AHS says walk-in services don’t require a referral.
The facility is expected to help as many as 8,000 patients and families each year. However, overnight stays will not be part of the “care of the new facility.”
AHS says admitted patients will instead receive care at Alberta’s Children’s Hospital.
“Just as physical health issues rely on experts to fix and heal, mental health challenges require the specialized skills of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists,” said Alberta Minister of Health Jason Copping.
“The urgent and intensive care The Summit will offer provides children and teens with expertise and in an environment tailored for them to succeed.”
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The Summit was built in partnership between AHS and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. The latter raised more than $50 million to fund the construction and for an “innovative program and research enhancements.”
AHS says its partnership with The Summit and the University of Calgary will be “one of the most research-intensive, community-based mental health facilities” for young people in the country.
Interim president and CEO for AHS Marco Chies says the services will complement the current services that AHS and other agencies provide.
“Having all these mental health services under one roof will make it easier for children, youth, and their families to access the care they need,” Chies said.
AHS says the centre plans to partner with community agencies that will run “specialized clinics.”
More information can be found on the AHS website.
