Richmond family fundraising for first family centred mental health program in B.C.

After a family member was admitted to Richmond hospital under severe mental distress in 2012, Dr. Reena Sandhu said her family felt helpless in the recovery process.

"Involving us became an after thought," said the registered psychologist. 

"We were left confused and hopeless and there was a little bit of anxiety associated with the uncertainty of integrating the member back into our family."

So Sandhu spoke to officials at the hospital to suggest a family-centred care approach to mental health patients.

'Pivotal role'

"The family can play such a pivotal role," said Sandhu. "We showed them some research that suggested if family members are involved, it increases the mental wellness in patients and reduces the number of visits to the hospital."

Sandhu said she was told it would cost half a million dollars to implement changes in care and include family members in the recovery process for mental health patients. 

So the family began fundraising and now in its fourth year, the "Grind for the Mind," raises money to support family-centred care programs for mental health at the Richmond Hospital.

In a few years, more than $350,000 has been raised, which has provided a boost for healthcare workers at the hospital, when it comes to delivering care.

'Effects go beyond individual'

"Historically...we tend to work with the client or individual we see in front of us as our patient," said Natalie McCarthy, Vancouver Coastal Health's Director of Mental Health services.

"But what we know is that when it comes to mental illness and substance abuse, that the effects go beyond the individual who is in our care and often extend to who is closest to them — their spouse their family."

Sandhu — who says the Richmond program was the first of its kind in B.C. — hopes other hospitals will develop similar approaches to mental health care. 

The family hopes to raise another $100,000 during Sunday's event.