Clinical Manager at HSN Mary Jago takes media on a tour of the Child and Adolenscent Mental Health Program(CAMHP). This is the classroom
Clinical Manager at HSN Mary Jago takes media on a tour of the Child and Adolenscent Mental Health Program(CAMHP). This is the classroom

By: Nick Liard

Health Sciences North has opened its new Child and Adolenscent Mental Health Program(CAMHP).

The inpatient unit was previously located at Kirkwood Place and will provide mental health services for children and youth under the age of 18 in Sudbury and Manitoulin.

Clinical Manager Mary Jago says it’s a larger facility which better supports privacy and treatment.

Psychiatrist Dr. Peter Ajueze says being at a seperate facilty added to the stigma of mental health as children felt ashamed that they would have to go there.

Also any other medical issues can be treated by staff at HSN.

The wing features a larger dining room, lounge, family room,classroom, private therapy areas and expanded work areas for staff, but Child and Youth Worker Renee Belanger says the biggest improvement is the atmosphere.

The previous facility saw around 400 children and youth each year, with an average stay of 4.5 days…the new unit has capacity to treat more children in peak times.

According to the Canadian Instititute for Health Information, last year in Ontario, 22 per cent of school-age children saw a physician about emotional or mental health issues.