Mental Health
Transforming mental health through community
Your generosity provides a future in which people thrive in a community that supports mental well-being.
The number of people needing mental health care in our community is on the rise. A staggering 28% of adult Manitobans live with mental illness, and there are many people that remain undiagnosed. Now in the midst of a global pandemic, the need for mental health services and resources is greater than ever before and we need to be ready to help our community when it matters the most.
Victoria Hospital Foundation's goal is to be a catalyst for transforming mental health care close to home. We support mental health programs and services so that anyone and everyone can receive treatment, education, counselling, and other services to support healing, recovery, and wellness. We are committed to improving access to resources and services to ensure individuals and families receive the care they need when and where they need it – at home, in the community, or in hospital.
Through the generosity of our community, we have invested in several initiatives to support individuals and caregivers at Victoria Hospital during these difficult times. The Manitoba Blue Cross Mental Health Assessment Unit is a dedicated space in Victoria Hospital’s Urgent Care department designed to provide individualized care in a private and supportive environment conducive to recovery. In the first integrated space of its kind in Manitoba, Urgent Care and mental health teams work collaboratively to provide specialized mental health assessments and care in a calming environment. This combination of evidence-based practices and patient-focused care is anticipated to create the efficiencies necessary for these individuals to experience shorter wait times and hospital stays, while fostering enhanced therapeutic relationships with the care team.
A new Tranquility Trail greenspace on the grounds of Victoria Hospital will support patients experiencing mental health concerns. This environment will be designed specifically to support socialization and unique outdoor treatment programming such as arts and crafts, recreation therapy activities, exercise programs, cultural ceremonies, and gardening. Construction on this new healing environment is anticipated to be complete in Spring 2023.
With contributions from our supporters, we have funded the purchase of iPads to help patients stay connected to their loved ones while visitor restrictions are in place. We have also invested in a well-being and resiliency project to support our hardworking staff at Victoria Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now more than ever, our community is counting on us. Your gift will directly impact the quality of inpatient treatment and outpatient programs delivered at Victoria Hospital and in our community. Please donate now and give as generously as possible.
Victoria Hospital Foundation recognizes that people have an urgent need for mental health information. We have assembled this list of mental health resources from Shared Health as well as tips on helping others cope during COVID-19.