As with other serious conditions, sometimes the acute symptoms of psychosis require intensive treatment in the hospital in order to assess and stabilize the condition.
In most cities in BC, hospitals have a specialized unit for treatment of psychiatric/mental health conditions. These units provide a safe and quiet environment where a person can receive a full assessment of their symptoms, become stabilized with intensive treatment and begin setting up the community supports helpful for a good recovery.
Staff working on the Psychiatric Units can include: Psychiatric Nurses, Nurses, Social Workers and Psychiatrists. There may also be some specialized staff such as Occupational Therapists, Substance Use Counsellors and Psychologists.
Some hospitals in the larger cities of BC also have Adolescent Psychiatric Units for young people aged 12 to 17 or 18 years.
Hospital stays can be stressful for a young person so your support can greatly help them.
In the Resource and Downloads section on this website, there are some tools you and your young person can use to help guide the recovery process while in hospital including the following handouts: Suggestions for Families, Medications, Being Well, Coping, Emergency Plan, and the Post Discharge Schedule.