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Mental Health

About the Program

BC Children's Hospital provides a comprehensive mental health program for children and youth who are experiencing severe mental and emotional distress or serious psychiatric symptoms. Programs vary from emergency care to inpatient units to specialized services such as the off-campus eating disorders programs offered through the Looking Glass Residence. 


Nursing in Pediatric Mental Health

Nurses – both Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses – work across the Mental Health program in various Child and Adolescent Units and residential programs. Specific services / units include:
  • Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit: 10-bed unit providing psychiatric assessments and treatment initiation for adolescents aged 12-18 
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Emergency (CAPE): 6-bed unit providing emergency psychiatric assessments and stabilization for children in crisis (up to age 16) 
  • Provincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children & Adolescents: both outpatient and inpatient treatment for children up to age 18 
    • Eating Disorders Inpatient Unit: 10-bed unit providing eating disorder treatment and assessment
    • Eating Disorder Day Treatment Program: 8 bed program providing eating disorder treatment  
  • Child Psychiatry Inpatient Unit: 10-bed unit providing day treatment psychiatric services for children under 12 years of age and their families/caregivers with a focus on assessment, parent education/coaching, and initiation of treatment
  • Looking Glass Residence: an inclusive eating disorder treatment program for 16- to 24-year-old male, female, transgender and culturally diverse individuals from across the province of B.C. The program is provided in a residential setting 10 minutes away from BC Children’s Hospital, and is transitional in design, moving through individual readiness, intensive treatment and recovery maintenance. The Looking Glass philosophy is to provide healing, wellness and recovery-oriented treatment in a culturally inclusive, trauma-informed manner. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A nurse would receive report from the previous shift and plan their day based on the patients’ goals and schedule. Typical tasks would include medication administration and assessment; mental status exams; supporting patients with ADLs and moving from one activity to another; working with a multi-disciplinary team in diagnostic clarification, intervention implementation and efficacy assessment, supporting parents with understanding their child’s diagnosis; parent coaching with behavioural management; running groups; crafting; and going on outings.

Depending on the needs of the unit or particular patient, the ratio of nursing to patients can range from 1:1 to 1:3 during the day to 1:5 at night. 

There are many educational courses offered throughout orientation and on an ongoing basis. Educational opportunities include both unit specific education as well as site wide education, such as leadership and mentorship courses.



SOURCE: Mental Health ( )
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