Schizophrenia Recovery Program

The Schizophrenia Outpatient Program provides individualized care for people living with schizophrenia whose needs cannot be met through acute inpatient or community-based services.

Services include psychiatric treatment, education, ongoing clinical monitoring and referrals to community supports. Crisis support is available when required.

To access outpatient services, individuals must be stabilized through care provided by a family physician or local hospital. This ensures the safety of both patients and staff.

Care plans may include:

• Comprehensive psychiatric assessment
• Medication review and optimization
• Clozapine initiation and monitoring
• Long-acting injectable antipsychotics
• Psychosocial and recovery-focused interventions
• Access to the Schizophrenia Day Program (Monday–Friday)
• Referral to allied health services, including dietetics, social work, occupational therapy and neuropsychology

The Schizophrenia Inpatient Program provides specialized assessment, treatment and care for adults experiencing acute symptoms of schizophrenia who require intensive, longer-term inpatient care.

The unit has 44 beds, including two designated for patients from Nunavut. A referral from a health care provider is required.

Admission is considered for individuals whose clinical and psychosocial needs cannot be met through acute care or outpatient/community services. Patients must also require multidisciplinary care to support their treatment and recovery.

Consultation is available for individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or suspected schizophrenia. A referral from a healthcare provider is required.

Consultation may support:

• Diagnostic clarification
• Assessment of suitability for admission to the Schizophrenia Program
• Treatment and medication recommendations, including potential participation in clinical research
• Connection to community-based supports such as housing or financial assistance

Note: Patients from outside the region who are relocating and require urgent follow-up may be considered for expedited entry into the Outpatient Program.

The Recovery Inpatient Service is available for patients who are unable to live or function independently in the community. A referral from a health care provider is required.

Admission is considered when a patient is not engaging in meaningful activity and is unable to care for themselves or manage with minimal support in a community setting.

Treatment goals may include:

• Building basic skills for independent living
• Developing autonomy in financial matters
• Improving education or employment readiness
• Strengthening interpersonal skills
• Working toward greater overall wellness

Our goal is to support patients in setting and working toward objectives that promote independent living in the community.

Discharge planning may include follow-up with Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), outpatient or day programs or other recovery-focused services.

The inpatient apartment is used to assess functional abilities, support the development of life skills, and evaluate readiness for independent living.