By Sarah Wallace

Big donation supports youth mental health

Mar 21, 2017 | 6:00 AM

The Prince Albert Elks and Royal Purples are doing something special to help support youth with mental health issues. 

Sherry Buckler, executive director of the Victoria Hospital Foundation (VHF), said the two organizations made a $30,000 donation to the hospital’s youth mental health inpatient unit, specifically its outdoor space. The clubs donated over $500,000 to the hospital’s dialysis unit, but when it started to receive provincial funding, the Elks wanted to support another aspect of the hospital. The VHF suggested mental health.

“Our mental health unit in our hospital has always been neglected, has never really truly received any type of real funding or support from outside of capital funding, and the Elks enthusiastically said ‘yes,’” Buckler said.

The Elks have already donated over $100,000 to the adult mental health unit. Buckler said the donations have helped immensely.

“They had old mattresses, none of the windows had blinds on them, and they had ripped and torn furniture in their living and lounge areas. They had just a field for a court yard, but all of this stuff has changed now because of the Elks stepping forward and helping,” she said.

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Buckler said over 2,500 children use the youth unit every year. As outdoor play is very important for children, especially children who are struggling with mental health issues, the latest donation will be used to construct play equipment. She said research has shown outdoor exercise and fresh air can do a world of difference; not just in terms of fitness, but mental health also.

Buckler said the playground will cost roughly $50,000 to complete.

“The [Elks] are the first community group or organization that has stepped forward and said ‘we want to be a part of this.’ We’re just over the moon excited and proud of them and grateful to even be able to say we’re going to start the planning phase of this playground,” she said.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid