CALGARY,
AB, July 25, 2024 /CNW/ - Only one in five
children who need mental-health services actually receives
treatment. That, plus the fact that mental health disorders in
young people are the second-highest hospital-care expenditure in
Canada, adds up to the need for
alternatives that work.
That's where Wood's Homes' programs and services come in. A
live-in, therapeutic bed on a Wood's Homes campus costs a third of
what a bed in a hospital costs. And, the programs and services
provided are unique to children, young people and their families
who are dealing with mental health challenges, recovery, and family
trauma.
PETRONAS Canada is contributing $450,000 to support the Wood's Homes Through it
ALL campaign. The organization is building state-of-the-art,
therapeutically designed facilities to replace outdated
infrastructure, and adding a new building to increase its
capacity.
Bjorn Johanssen, CEO of Wood's
Homes, says PETRONAS Canada's gift breathes life into a project
that is going to transform the therapeutic environment at Wood's.
"This gift from PETRONAS Canada means we'll be able to bring our
facilities up to 21st century levels of support, safety,
and efficiency so children and young people can grow, heal, and
thrive in their communities."
"An essential part of a strong community is access to
mental-health resources," says Shannon
Young, Vice President, Legal, Sustainability and External
Affairs, PETRONAS Canada. "PETRONAS Canada is proud to partner with
Wood's Homes as the organization works to increase access to
specialized spaces and improve the quality of its clients'
lives."
One new building will be completed at Wood's Homes' Parkdale campus this fall, adding 10 new beds
to its programs. Then, a multi-year project will replace four
buildings on the Bowness campus with facilities better-suited to
the therapeutic campus-based care provided at Wood's Homes. In
addition to increasing its capacity by 28 per cent, this project
will also result in more culturally conscious spaces for Indigenous
gatherings, knowledge-sharing, and ceremonies.
"We applaud the work Wood's Homes is doing, and its long-term
approach to supporting mental health needs in the community," says
Shannon.
SOURCE Wood's Homes