Island Health’s Bridging Care Program Going Virtual

More people with acute and severe mental health challenges will be able to get the support they need.

Island Health’s Bridging Care Program offers recovery oriented, trauma informed intensive day treatment.

Based in Victoria, the program has provided short-term (1-4 weeks) skills-based services and transitional support to 160 people who might otherwise have needed to be admitted to hospital for inpatient psychiatric care.

Island Health is in the process of developing a virtual Bridging Care Program to support people who live outside of the South Island.

For now, the program is located at Royal Jubilee Hospital and people are referred by health care professionals.

Currently, approximately 26 referrals are made each month and people enter the program within five days of referral.

The program’s team ranges from psychiatrists, occupational and recreational therapists to nurses and peer support to teach skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Clinical Director Tasha Mckelvey says their goal is to ensure equitable access to mental health services by removing barriers so no matter where people live, they can benefit from recovery programs to better manage their mental health and their daily quality of life.

There’s no timeline when virtual services will be available.

You can learn more about the MHSU Bridging Care Program at Island Health.