June 12, 2024
After hearing about an increase in mental health issues treated at St. Boniface Hospital’s Emergency Department in recent years, and even seeing such issues in others close to them, the Correia family of Winnipeg decided to do what they could to help Manitobans in times of crisis.
Their family-owned business, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, is Canada’s largest janitorial service provider. Parents José (Joe) and Maria Graciete Correia, daughter Dr. Helena Correia, and son Dennis Correia stepped forward in February of 2022 to make a significant gift to St. B’s Emergency Department redevelopment and expansion project currently underway.
Specifically, the Correias put their support behind a new six-room mental health area (also called a pod) the Hospital is building as part of the project. When the new Emergency Department opens next year, mental health patients will receive specialized treatment in a dedicated and quiet space.
“We believe in supporting our community. We saw St. B’s Emergency Department redevelopment and expansion as an opportunity,” said Joe. “We have seen a huge increase in mental health issues in the city of Winnipeg in recent years.”
Added Maria Graciete, “If we can help in any way going forward with mental health issues in our city, we see it as an accomplishment. It fills our hearts just knowing it’s going to help.”
A nursing station will be in the middle of the spacious pod, with a security desk located nearby. Between each of the six rooms, an angled desk will provide clear sightlines for a nurse in case there is a risk of a patient harming themselves. The area will receive plenty of natural light each day, adding to the comfort of both patients and caregivers.
There will also be a consult room that patients, family, and caregivers can use to determine whether a patient will go home or to an inpatient unit for additional care.
Mental health issues hit close to home
The Correias all say they think of their Bee-Clean Building Maintenance staff as extended family members. Some of their employees have experienced mental health issues, they noted.
“We enjoy treating our staff as family,” said Maria Graciete. “Some of them have faced mental health challenges, and we have seen their suffering. We knew we had to come out and help in the best way we knew how.”
“When we saw the opportunity to contribute and assist the development of such a wonderful addition to the Hospital, it was a no-brainer,” added Dennis.
Nationwide mental health campaigns such as Bell Let’s Talk have made it easier for people to discuss their own struggles and not be ashamed to seek help, said Helena. “More and more people are coming out, whereas there was stigma before. People feel freer to speak up,” she said.
Pod offers dignified care and privacy in crisis
The Correias joined several other invited donors on a guided tour of the Emergency Department construction site in late May, which gave them their first chance to set foot inside what will be the mental health area.
Standing there, Dennis said he was awestruck. “I knew what we were doing, but I don’t know if any of us understood how large that footprint will be,” he recalled.
Experts say mental health issues and substance use are linked. Methamphetamine use, in particular, contributes to increased Emergency Department visits, explained Dr. Kristjan Thompson, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of Clinical Programs at the Hospital, on the tour.
“We are seeing an increase in mental health cases in the city. Certainly, substance use…meth has been unfortunately on the rise as well,” said Dr. Thompson.
“Those patients can be quite disruptive,” he said. “Having agitated folks come through our current emergency department setup – especially when we have a packed waiting room, can be alarming for other patients who are waiting.”
The mental health area was designed to avoid this by including two secure vestibules, allowing first responders to bring a patient directly into the area if necessary. There will also be a direct connection between the mental health and high acuity areas of the Emergency Department.
“It is very important that patients can be brought directly to this area where they can receive dignified care in an environment that is quieter, safer, private, and where trained caregivers can de-escalate the situation,” said Dr. Thompson.
“The new mental health area is absolutely critical to our department. It is a more humane approach to Emergency Department design, and it’s not just for the patients who are struggling; but also, for other patients and family members who are waiting too.”