NEWS RELEASE
ROYAL VICTORIA REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE
*************************
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) recently welcomed National Bank employees to the health centre to celebrate the announcement of National Bank’s $100,000 gift to the Hearts and Minds Campaign in support of RVH’s future Child and Youth Mental Health Inpatient program.
“We are thrilled that National Bank is demonstrating their support for RVH through this generous gift,” says David McCullough, chair, RVH Foundation. “Seventy per cent of mental health problems begin during childhood, and we know that the earlier they receive help the better their long term outcomes. Yet in North Simcoe Muskoka, only one in five young people get the help they need. Without this specialized unit at RVH, young people may be sent home to await referral, or inappropriately admitted to adult psychiatric units. National Bank’s support will help RVH fill that gap in service and help our young people and their families.”
North Simcoe Muskoka is the only region in Ontario without inpatient youth mental health services.
Hospitals across the region see more than 1,700 emergency visits annually from youth in mental health crisis, a number that has doubled in the last six years.
The future Child and Youth Mental Health Inpatient program will be specifically designed to support the mental health and well-being of young people for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
It will have eight private rooms, a kitchen, dining and lounge areas, and programs designed to allow these young people to continue with their education and receive group and individual support.
“National Bank’s support to the RVH’s Hearts and Minds Campaign embodies perfectly our company’s commitment to youth health and wellness. It is important for the kids to have the tools and the quality of care they deserve to help them grow. At the end, by investing in the future Child and Youth Mental Health Inpatient program, it ensures a brighter and stronger future for us all,” says Andrew Lorriman, Wealth Management Consultant and Manager at National Bank Financial Branch in Barrie.
Hearts and Minds is the health centre’s current fundraising campaign. With a goal of $25 million, the campaign not only supports child and youth mental health, but advanced cardiac care, women’s cancers, teaching and research and equipment needs.
To donate to the campaign visit foundation.rvh.on.ca.
*************************
