LiUNA invests in children's mental health care at Bluewater Health

A $250,000 donation to Bluewater Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program from Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 1089, and its Ontario Provincial District Council, will  support services provided to children and adolescents who access care at Sarnia-Lambton’s community hospital.

“It is gifts such as LiUNA's that will bring continued awareness and help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,” says Kathy Alexander, Executive Director, Bluewater Health Foundation.  “This generous donation acknowledges the importance of offering locally accessible mental health care to our children and youth and their families.”

Both Bluewater Health and community organizations have been impacted by increasing volumes of children and adolescents seeking service. At Bluewater Health, there has been a 49 % increase of those presenting in crisis at the Emergency Department over the past two years. Last year alone, there were 308 children and adolescents with mental health issues who presented at Bluewater Health’s Emergency Department, with more than 200 admitted to the hospital's inpatient unit.

“The Sarnia-Lambton community and our members’ children and loved ones have come to rely on the mental healthcare that Bluewater Health provides,” said Mike Maitland, Business Manager, LiUNA Local 1089. “The members of LiUNA are so grateful to Bluewater Health for the services they offer to children and youth struggling in our community, and we are committed to working with Bluewater Health to enhance the care and services they provide for our youngest citizens. Local 1089 wants to help create a safe space for our children, youth and their families; this is why we are making this investment in our community hospital.”

Bluewater Health’s Inpatient Mental Health unit is a designated ‘schedule one’ facility. The secure 27-bed unit provides acute psychiatric stabilization serving both children and youth, and adults. The interdisciplinary team is comprised of psychiatrists, family physicians, nurses (both RNs and RPNs), and social workers, with access to occupational therapists and physiotherapy as needed. Of the 27 beds, only three are designated to serve our child and adolescent population.

“We are thankful to LiUNA for this significant investment. We know this gift will have a tremendous impact and will even further augment the care and services Bluewater Health is able to provide to children and adolescents in the Sarnia-Lambton community who need mental health services,” said Mike Lapaine, President & CEO, Bluewater Health.

On behalf of Bluewater Health and Bluewater Health Foundation, thank you to LiUNA Local 1089 for their generosity and  investment in healthcare for the Sarnia-Lambton community.