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Untitled Document
Introduction
London is a growing city of over 331,000 people located in
South Western Ontario. It is situated between Lake Erie and Lake Huron and
is a short two-hour drive from the major centers of Toronto and Detroit. Well
known for its abundance of trees and pleasant surroundings, "the Forest City"
offers relaxed and inexpensive living. The Thames River winds its way throughout
the city, harboring a number of large and small parks, as well as miles of
walkways and bike paths. London offers various cultural activities including
theatre, museums, and a symphony orchestra. It is also near well-known culture
centres including Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake. London is home to the
University of Western Ontario with over 24,000 graduate and undergraduate students
and more than 1,250 faculty
LONDON AS A REGIONAL CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE:
London has an extensive array of clinical services, as well
as education and research opportunities. Innovative development is occurring
in the London region in the area of children's mental health. Both the Ministry
of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and the Ministry of Child and Youth Services
(MCYS) provide children’s mental health services.
At a local level, strong alliances have been built between these two ministries.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC):
LHSC is one of Canada's largest teaching hospitals and has
a very active and growing child and adolescent psychiatry program. The program
currently has a 7-bed inpatient unit for mental health patients (to be increased
in the future) as well as an outpatient, eating disorder and day treatment
program. The Eating Disorder program serves children up to and including age
17 years. The Eating Disorders program has 4 inpatient beds, 8 day treatment
spots, outpatient and outreach components. One-time consultation for young
adults up to 25 years is available for individuals with eating disorders. The
Day Treatment program has 10 spots for children and adolescents between 10
and 17 years of age. The outpatient program provides an array of services.
Programs include a trauma program, family therapy program, mood/anxiety disorder
program and psychiatric consultation program. Since the London Health Sciences
Centre is the emergency site for the city and area, crisis and emergency cases,
as well as complex psychiatric problems, are assessed and treated.
St. Joseph ’s Health Centre, Regional Mental Health Care London Site:
St. Joseph ’s Hospital Regional Mental Health Care London
has a 12 bed inpatient unit for adolescents between the ages of 13-17 years
who have complex psychiatric problems and behavioural difficulties as well
as an outreach program.
Many opportunities are available in various treatment modalities including
individual therapy, family therapy, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Experience
in various group therapies is valuable to trainees. An interdisciplinary approach
to treatment occurs across the entire children's mental health sector.
Strong linkage and collaboration have occurred with the Center
for Children and Families in the Justice System, the Thames Valley District
School Board, the London District Catholic School Board, Madame Vannier Children's
Centre and Merrymount.
There are several community agencies in London …
The Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI):
CPRI is a large facility that specializes in developmental
disabilities in addition to severe and complex emotional and behavioural problems.
The Pervasive Developmental Program is also an Integral part of CPRI. CPRI
also offers a Torette's Disorder Clinic and Bipolar Disorder Cliic. CPRI offers
outpatient and residential treatment.
Madame Vanier Children’s Centre:
adame Vanier Children's Centre focuses on early intervention and behavioural
problems in the 0-6 age group and provides an array of outpatient, day treatment
and residential services.
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