Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is an eight-bed unit designed to meet the needs of youth with mental health issues that require emergency care. The Unit provides a safe and therapeutic environment for youth, offering an assessment, stabilization, and brief treatment. Admissions to the unit are through the Emergency Department at the Health Sciences Centre or a regional hospital for those living outside of Thunder Bay.
Inpatient services are delivered by a multi-discipline team which includes physicians, psychological associates, social workers, nurses, and child and youth workers. This team works with youth to help stabilize behaviours, and improve coping and problem solving skills. An important part of the process is developing a safety plan which all youth complete, sharing the information with parents. Admissions are typically three to five days in length.
Are You a Teenager in Crisis?
If you are planning to commit suicide or hurt someone else and you need help immediately, please go directly to the Emergency Department at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (or the Emergency Department in your community if you are in Northwestern Ontario). If physical injury has happened, please call 911.
If you are in crisis, feel alone and desperate, have nobody to talk to, and/or you don’t know what to do, there are a number of people who can help.
In the City and District of Thunder Bay – Call the Crisis Response Team at (807) 346-8282 (Thunder Bay), 1-888-269-3100 (District of Thunder Bay), or TTY: 1-888-269-3100
In Northwestern Ontario – Kids’ Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868
For Indigenous Teenagers and Women of All Ages in Northwestern Ontario (talk to an Indigenous woman) – Talk4Healing at 1-855-554-HEAL
Is Your Child or Teenager in Crisis?
If you are concerned that your son or daughter is at risk of hurting themselves by attempting to commit suicide, or at risk of hurting someone else and you need help immediately, please take them to the Emergency Department at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (or the Emergency Department in your community if you are in Northwestern Ontario) where a doctor can evaluate their level of risk and make recommendations. If physical injury has happened, please call 911.
If your teenager is in crisis or feeling desperate and hopeless and you don’t know what to do, there are a number of people who can help you and your teenager.
Visiting Hours
We encourage parents and other family members to visit with youths as part of their healing process. However, we do ask that any visitors call before visiting at (807) 684-6516. Friends and young siblings are not permitted to visit while a youth is admitted to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
Visiting Hours
Monday to Friday: 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: 1:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where to Get Help and Information
Some people find talking about mental health to be embarrassing, and may even be scared or ashamed to talk about it. However, mental disorders and other conditions that lead to mental health problems are just like any other illness. And like physical illnesses, they can get worse if they are not treated.
There are a number of confidential resources available to help you or your loved one get help and information:
Resources
www.heresthedeal.ca – Thunder Bay website with information about mental health and how to get help locally and regionally
www.childrenscentre.ca – Thunder Bay organization providing mental health services for youth
www.dilico.com – Thunder Bay organization providing mental health services for Indigenous youth and adults
www.suicideprevention.ca – national website about suicide prevention
www.mindyourmind.ca – national website for youth and emerging youth with mental health resources and information
www.livingworks.net – Alberta website with good information and resources about mental health
www.honouringlife.ca – National organization providing information and support to Indigenous youth
Manager
Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Ambulatory Mental Health, Interim Manager, Social Work & Shared Care
Shawn Seagris
Phone: (807) 684-6941
