Mental health unit overwhelmed by generosity

“Mental health is something that… often goes under the radar. Society doesn’t like to acknowledge it, because of the, well, really because I think it’s unknown. Most people don’t really understand mental health and yet it affects us all.”

The unit has a long list of needs that include modest items like tables and chairs for their inpatient unit. Enns explained some of the other plans with the large donation.

“We’re going to use curtains on the windows, we’re going to look at adding those into our unit. Some new beds. And then on top of all that an art therapy program.”

A new art therapy program will be particularly beneficial for people with mental health issues, “helping them to express feelings that are hard to get out through art form,” Enns said.

The overall goal is to give people using the mental health and addictions services feel more comfortable.

Considering the stigma often associated with mental illness, this is especially important.

That idea was not lost on Nick Trofimuk, the chairman of the Elks and Royal Purple Dialysis Fund. He’s been with the group for well over a quarter century.

“When I was a youngster growing up, nobody talked about mental health. Cancer was a no-no. You didn’t talk about that. Now, people are starting to talk about it.”

Trofimuk said the need for funding struck a chord with them after meeting with the Victoria Hospital Foundation staff. He described the mental health and addictions unit as one that was at the “bottom of the list, sort of neglected.”

That’s why the Elks and Royal Purple decided unanimously in October to forward money that used to go to the hospital for Victoria Hospital’s dialysis unit.

Trofimuk’s goal when he took the helm of the fund years ago was to raise half a million for that unit. When that impressive goal was achieved, they decided to move their funds to another unit.

Enns acknowledged mental health and addictions services faces issues gathering funding to keep up with the demands placed on it. People not only from Prince Albert use the services, as people from other health regions in the north or east are also referred to Prince Albert Parkland Health Region’s programs.

“We are trying to catch up. I think that there’s always a struggle in any organizations around the need for equipment.”

The $50,000 will specifically go towards areas like the addiction inpatient treatment units, family treatment, the brief and social detoxification unit and mental health inpatient treatment.

While Enns is grateful for the donation, above all else he said the Elks and Royal Purple group has helped fight the stigma associated with mental illness and addictions simply by bringing attention to the unit.

“They as an organization have come forward in society and have said ‘this is worthy. Yes, there are lots of worthy projects, and certainly when it comes to health there’s lots of worthy projects. But we believe as the organization Elks and Royal Purple that this is worthwhile for us to be a part of,’” Enns explained.

Trofimuk spoke of the heartiness behind his group. They’d previously discussed disbanding as numbers started dwindling with the group. However, that was not in the cards as its volunteers remain devout to their causes.

“We just didn’t want to quit. Our group wants to continue because there’s definitely need in the hospital.”

The Elks and Royal Purple Lodge’s region in the area includes Big River, Canwood, La Ronge, Paddockwood, Prince Albert, Shellbrook and Weldon.

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk

by Chelsea Laskowski

Mental health unit overwhelmed by generosity

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