August 18, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health is now accepting submissions for the name of the new adult mental health and addictions facility currently under construction at the Health Sciences Complex. The new facility is scheduled to open in 2024.
“Eastern Health’s vision for the new mental health and addictions facility is to provide acute care services and promote recovery in a supportive environment that reduces the stigma related to seeking treatment for mental illness,” said Kenneth Baird, President and CEO (Interim) of Eastern Health. “This new facility provides an opportunity to deliver services for individuals in a modern and truly therapeutic facility. As such, we are seeking a facility name that is inspired and creative – a name that represents hope, recovery and support for patients who will receive treatment at the new facility.”
The new adult mental health and addictions facility will be an integral part of a redesigned mental health and addictions program with a focus on a community-oriented service delivery model. Inpatient services will become more recovery focused, creating a therapeutic environment that enables a seamless transition to and from community-based services. Currently, foundations for the new facility are complete and the framework is starting to be erected. Construction as well as mechanical, plumbing and electrical work will continue throughout 2022. Full-scale mockups of a patient bedroom and washroom, a nursing station, and a therapeutic quiet observation room have been completed to provide user groups with an opportunity to visit and provide feedback.
The guiding principles of the design of the new facility include:
- reducing stigma;
- client-centred care;
- recovery focused philosophy;
- access to quality care; and
- community and family integration.
“Everything about the new facility – the natural light, outdoor terraces, green spaces, artwork, colour palette and furniture – is selected to create a therapeutic and welcoming environment conducive to recovery,” said Glenda Webber, Executive Director, Mental Health and Addictions (Interim) at Eastern Health. “We have worked closely with staff, physicians, community partners, clients and families to ensure that planning for the new facility remains true to our vision and will be equipped to deliver programs to support mental wellness.”
Letters of interest seeking submissions for the name of the new facility have been sent to community partners with an interest in mental health and addictions. For more information and to obtain a submission form, please visit namhaf.easternhealth.ca/. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2022. A committee will narrow down the submissions to the top three which will then be submitted to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for a final decision. Please note that suggestions should not include a person’s name as the facility will not be named after an individual.
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About Eastern Health
Eastern Health is the largest, integrated health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador employing approximately 13,000 dedicated employees, over 700 medical staff, and is supported by approximately 2,000 volunteers, including members of numerous auxiliaries and fundraising foundations. With an annual budget of approximately $1.6 billion, the authority offers the full continuum of health and community services including public health, long-term care, community services, hospital care and unique provincial programs and services. Serving a population of over 300,000, Eastern Health’s geographic boundaries extend west from St. John’s to Port Blandford including all communities on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas.