Psychiatric ICU a safe place for people in crisis

South Health Campus unit the first of its kind for Calgary

Story & photo by Melanie Veriotes

CALGARY — Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from a higher level of specialized care in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at South Health Campus (SHC).

“It’s OK to be mentally unwell. When you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, we’re here to take care of you and keep you safe,” says Carla Marie Seal Riemann, Program Manager of Adult Addictions and Mental Health at SHC.

Standing inside Unit 56B, she adds that this eight-bed PICU is reserved for patients who present a danger to themselves or others, or who require intensive observation and treatment. Since opening last August, all beds have been occupied.

On a tour of the unit, she shares how the rooms are oversized with a shatter-proof window. As well, the walls are a soothing colour with some lined with murals. The flat-screen TVs in the rooms could be mistaken for artwork, framed and enclosed in a white-metallic border.

“The unit was designed with a trauma-informed care approach, and is designed to be calming, to allow for mindfulness and still provide some autonomy for patients,” says Riemann.

For example, patients can control the lighting and TV in their rooms, which allows them to adjust the ambiance, and engage in activities that promote their relaxation, or suit their personal preference.

Patients also given dedicated storage space for their clothes and personal belongings. If deemed safe, they can request a portable, temporary bathroom door, to respect their need for privacy and a sense of ownership. There’s also a washer and dryer on the unit for patient use.

For these patients, the PICU can be a lifeline during a mental-health crisis.

“This unit is staffed by specially-trained mental health professionals who can provide immediate and intensive care to help stabilize patients,” says Unit Manager Kellie Quian.

The unit emphasizes the need to establish trusting relationships between patients and staff, with a ratio of two patients per staff member, to promote open dialogue and shared decision-making, she adds.

This can include medication management, individual therapy, and other evidence-based treatments to help patients regain a sense of control and stability. For many people, the PICU is a first step in mental health hospitalization — with an average stay of seven to 10 days — followed by transfer to a regular mental health unit for additional therapy and treatment.

Patients are also encouraged to personalize their rooms and post meaningful items on their wall — photos, drawings or affirmations — to create a familiar and comforting environment.

Quian says their team has learned a lot since the unit opened in 2022, and is grateful for their specially-trained, caring staff on the unit as well as for their partnerships with the mental health liaison officer and site security.

Staff plan to build on their learnings to keep the unit up to date as they take a holistic approach to patient- and family-centred care and safety measures.