New program aims to fill mental health gap for Canada’s young adults
Vancouver Island’s Homewood Ravensview provides an open, inclusive and supportive environment for inpatient treatment dedicated to young adults aged 19 and over. supplied
Canadian Mental Health Association report from December 2023 paints a sobering picture of the mental health challenges facing young Canadians. The report found that Canadians between the ages of 16 and 24 are experiencing burnout, anxiety, depression, substance use disorders and suicidal ideation at levels not seen in years.
The numbers are highest for those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, non-binary or racialized.
Vancouver Island’s leading mental health and addiction treatment facility, Homewood Ravensview, has now launched Canada’s first and only mental health and addiction treatment program dedicated to young adults aged 19 and over. Named My Path, the program is tailored to addressing the powerful and unique challenges faced by young adults.
According to a current paper underway with the Homewood Health Centre, this age group reports higher use of cannabis and other drugs more often, experiences more mental health challenges and has higher rates of coexisting conditions compared to adults over 26. This highlights the unique needs of young adults and shows the importance of tailoring treatment plans to address them directly.
“We see young adults coming into this program really needing some distinct programming to focus on what they’re dealing with in their life right now,” says Homewood Ravensview general manager and vice president Deanna Brady. “We aim to be specific and intentional with the program we offer this demographic.”
My Path is centred around an open, inclusive and supportive approach to addressing trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and addictions, including opiates or alcohol. Treatment is also available for process addictions such as gambling, pornography, excessive shopping, gaming and technology use. According to the U.S.-based Newport Institute, young adults may turn to these behaviours as a way to cope with emotional stress, looking for short-term relief from their feelings.
The program also examines challenges related to the transition to adulthood, sexuality, identity, self-esteem and social dynamics.
“What we’re seeing with this demographic is those who are really struggling with their identity,” Brady says. “It’s such a transformative time between the ages of 19 to 25 when trying to figure out, ‘Who am I?’”
During an inpatient treatment period of up to nine weeks, clients participate in an immersive program where they connect with a specialized health-care team and other treatment participants.
My Path has a diverse group of specialists who offer unique insights into needs of young adults. Clients are supported by a master’s-level therapist who helps them develop emotional coping skills, gain personal insights and create strategies to achieve their individual goals. The broader onsite team consists of a psychiatrist; addiction physician; counsellors; occupational therapist; horticultural, recreation, art and music therapists; and a 24/7 nursing staff.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than when we see people walking out at the end of their treatment with their head held a little bit higher, knowing that they have learned so much and get to start a new chapter. ”
My Path combines group therapy, one-on-one counselling and a range of therapeutic approaches – including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and recreational and expressive therapies such as art, music and horticultural therapies – to help clients build a strong foundation for recovery and personal growth.
The facility itself is spread across a 28-acre site on a forested hilltop. Homewood Ravensview’s amenities include the following: a therapeutic teaching kitchen; fitness facility, basketball and pickleball courts; a newly built cultural space; 24/7 nursing stations; games rooms and more.
“We created My Path to offer hope to a demographic group that often believes they have to navigate their mental health challenges alone and unsupported,” Brady says.
“The guiding principle behind this program is that every young adult deserves the chance to discover their potential, and create a healthy and fulfilling life.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than when we see people walking out at the end of their treatment with their head held a little bit higher, knowing that they have learned so much and get to start a new chapter.”
For more information, visit ravensview.com.
To view this report on The Globe's website, visit globeandmail.com