Listen to this article
Estimated 5 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
WARNING: This story contains a discussion of suicide.
One year after the new mental health and addictions facility in St. John’s opened its doors to patients, advocates say there are still gaps in care.
Kristi Allan says services were promised, but have yet to be delivered. They’re top of mind as she reflects on the new hospital’s first year in service.
“I am really frustrated,” said Allan.
“When they announced the plans for the new mental health hospital and there was less beds, they said it was because mental health needs were going to be met in the community.”
The new $240-million hospital on Prince Philip Drive hosts 102 beds — fewer than the aging Waterford Hospital it replaced as the province’s primary mental health-care facility.
To make up for that, Allan said, a walk-in centre was supposed to open at the same time, offering beds and support for people whose needs are less acute and can be met outside of a hospital setting.
Instead, it has been months without updates, said Allan, who was a member of a focus group on the centre.
“It’s not OK because they built a hospital with less beds. So, what are they going to do for those people?” she said, adding that while she always encourages everyone to seek help, many feel like they won’t receive it unless they are in acute need — including herself.
“If you have a support system, if you have people who are there, if you have a good understanding and you’re not threatening to immediately take your life, then chances are you will get sent home because there’s not enough room for you at that hospital.”
Kristi Allan, who has been advocating for better long-term mental health care in the province for years, says she is frustrated that a promised walk-in centre is still nowhere to be found. (Henrike Wilhelm/CBC)
A walk-in centre is also on the wish list for Susan Hyde, a longtime mental health advocate and former patient of the Waterford Hospital.
“I actually want three of them, one for each part of the city,” said Hyde, who also serves as executive director of the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“I think that saving people’s lives is really important. And so, if we lose another person that’s come to get help and didn’t get it … that’s unacceptable to me.”
As for the new facility, Hyde finds herself right at its centre — in the main lobby, where the society’s office is located after moving from the Waterford Hospital’s basement.
“The people that we’ve been able to reach and the services that we’ve been able to provide, it’s exponential compared to what we could do in the Waterford. There’s no question,” she said.
Susan Hyde, mental health advocate and executive director of the Schizophrenia Society of N.L., says the new mental health and addictions facility has helped break down stigma. Yet, she still wants to see more community services. (Henrike Wilhelm/CBC)
Generally, said Hyde, much more is offered at the new facility, such as music and art therapy, a games room, and a hair and nail salon — helping to break down stigma.
Yet, Hyde agrees that there are still gaps in the service in the city, but also across the province. She said there needs to be supportive community housing for people with mental health and addictions issues, and there are staffing shortages.
Work underway to address staffing, walk-in centre, says health minister
Meanwhile, according to Health Minister Lela Evans, a lack of staff is one of the areas her department is working to address.
During question period inside the House of Assembly on March 3, Evans said the facility is “understaffed” and “doesn’t meet the mental health needs of the patients here.”
Evans wasn’t able to provide staffing numbers or bed occupancy in a recent interview with CBC News, but she said it’s “always close to capacity or at capacity.”
“So, that’s one of the things that we have to look at, is beds. Mental health patients need access to beds,” Evans said.
Health Minister Lela Evans acknowledges that gaps in the provincial mental health-care system continue to exist and says her department will work on addressing them. (Patrick Butler/Radio-Canada)
Evans added her department is also working on a walk-in centre for St. John’s, but she wouldn’t provide a concrete timeline. Instead, she said consultations and proper planning need to happen first to ensure gaps are adequately addressed.
“We’re working with people in the community, we’re working with people who need these services, so that people understand what’s being delivered,” she said.
Evans said the 2026 provincial budget will include measures to address mental health-care gaps.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.