Safe room helps kids deal with severe mental health breakdowns

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The need for mental-health care for children has never been greater – and it’s expected to rise even further in the next few years. Sometimes, a child and their family in severe distress just need a place to calm down and begin the healing process.

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To that end, Health Sciences North in Sudbury and its Children and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry Safe Room Project, through its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, have opened the Children and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry Safe Room.

That project has just gotten a boost with a $150,000 donation from the Desjardins Ontario Credit Union Community Development Fund.

“The youth admitted to the (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program) often experience intense emotions that can be challenging to cope with, especially in an unfamiliar and potentially over-stimulating environment,” Kristin Bouchard, a member of HSN’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, said in a release.

“The Sensory Comfort Room will provide patients with a safe and calming space to practice coping skills and de-escalation strategies when experiencing big emotions – helping to prevent crises from occurring, Bouchard said.

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“From a patient and family perspective, the addition of a Sensory Comfort room demonstrates a commitment to providing the best evidence-based patient-centred care to the children and adolescents we serve.”

With a predicted surge of 18-21 per cent in the acute care pediatric mental health population over the next few years — and an increase in the severity of cases — HSN said the donation comes at a critical time to address the growing mental health needs of children and adolescents in northeastern Ontario.

The $150,000 will support the Children and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry Safe Room Project at Health Sciences North. Equipped with calming design elements and sensory tools, the room will help patients manage distress through soothing strategies, promoting well-being and recovery.

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HSN’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program is a nine-bed psychiatric inpatient unit for children and youth younger than 18. The unit provides a stabilization environment designed to ensure the safety of young patients experiencing acute psychiatric crises.

The creation of a safety-focused comfort room will offer an environment where patients can self-regulate during periods of heightened stress and emotional dysregulation, the hospital said.

“Sensory comfort rooms contribute to a therapeutic atmosphere within the psychiatric unit, promoting holistic healing which can improve treatment outcomes, potentially leading to shorter hospital stays,” said Dr. Peter Ajueze, a psychiatrist with HSN’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. “The soothing atmosphere can help regulate the nervous system and reduces the need for using physical restraints or medications to manage aggression.

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“By offering a compassionate approach to managing distress, sensory comfort rooms can enhance trust between patients and staff.”

France Bélanger-Houle, a member of the Desjardins Ontario Credit Union board of directors, said the organization was happy to help.

“Our contribution to the HSN Sensory Comfort Room reiterates our commitment to the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” Bélanger-Houle said. “We hope it will provide our youth with care and comfort when they need it most. We are proud to contribute to building a
healthier, brighter future for our youth.”

Anthony Keating, the president of the Health Sciences North Foundation, which accepted the donation, said the money “will have an immediate and lasting impact on our young patients.

“The establishment of this safe room is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children and adolescents across northeastern Ontario, while also providing a safer workplace for our dedicated staff.”

In recognition of this significant contribution, Desjardins Ontario Credit Union will be named the official donor for this “essential” space.

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X: @SudburyStar

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