“we have been having a really difficult time trying to keep up with that demand.”
the new transition unit, unique to cheo, offers up to 72 hours of specialized treatment and stabilization for children and youth coming to emergency in need of mental health support.
often that is what patients need, he said, but many are admitted into the hospital’s in-patient unit for intensive treatment because there is no other option.
“it is about transitioning from the emergency department into a program that can do short-term diagnostic clarification, safety planning and engage with patients and families to be able to safely transition back into the community,” he said.
dr. kelley zwicker, a community pediatrician and part of the kids come first health team, said children and youth with complex mental health needs access services repeatedly because they are not getting the kinds of treatment they need.
she said pediatricians are among those welcoming the new services for their patients.
“i don’t think there is one community pediatrician in the region who hasn’t gone to bed worrying about their patients.”
abby, at 19, is now treated in the adult health system and is studying nursing. she commended cheo for identifying the gap in their care and developing a program to help.