​​​In another initiative to address the pressing youth mental health needs in the region and relieve pressure on the emergency department, CHEO unveiled its new Mental Health Transition Unit. Located close to the Emergency Department, this new short-stay transitional space will focus on providing children and youth safe and specialized care with mental health professionals.

Before this transitional unit, patients had two options: long-term inpatient admission or coming to CHEO's Emergency Department. Not all patients in mental health crises require a long-term stay, nor are they able to wait for hours in the already strained Emergency Department.

The health care model will consist of intensive short-term crisis intervention, brief intensive therapy and the opportunity to access community programs and services – such as 1Call1Click.ca and the Mental Health Outpatient team – over 72 hours.

Abby, who's struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and suicidal ideation, used to be a mental health patient at CHEO. While she's since aged out of CHEO's system, she has high hopes for the hospital's new unit.

"This new space will be amazing for patients, their families and healthcare providers. The emergency department can be a noisy and chaotic space, which makes it overwhelming for anyone dealing with a mental health crisis and may dissuade them from seeking help," says Abby.

Her father, Ben, feels the same way. "When Abby and I first heard about this new unit, we teared up a little. This new unit addresses so many issues that we've seen dealing with emergency mental health care - both the physical space and the model of care. We know it will help so many people moving forward, and we hope it can be a beacon of light for other hospitals in the area and across Canada."

"I will end by saying that I'm so impressed and grateful that CHEO identified a gap in their care and implemented this new unit. I hope that other hospitals, whether pediatric or not, will follow CHEO's lead and provide this kind of care to their patients as well," adds Abby.

“About 70 per cent of mental health challenges have their onset in childhood or youth. That's why early identification and intervention are critical and can lead to improved achievement in school and better health outcomes, says David Murphy, Director, Mental Health, Mental Health & Addictions at CHEO. “This unit will help our team intervene earlier and start solving problems before they evolve into more severe issues that are harder to treat."

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