HUNDREDS of paddle boarders from 25 teams competed at this year’s Surrey Hospitals Foundation’s “Champion of the Crescent” paddle board event and raised $213,545 for youth mental health programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH). The foundation’s signature summer fundraiser was held this past Thursday at Blackie Spit Park on Crescent Beach in Surrey.
Surrey Memorial Hospital is the regional centre for acute youth mental health care, supporting children and youth from all over the Lower Mainland through specialized programs including the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization Unit (CAPSU), the Adolescent Day Treatment Program (ADTP), and the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (APU).
Champion of the Crescent, presented by EllisDon, contributes to youth mental programs at SMH, improving early intervention so young people can receive timely care, and expanding access to specialized services and critical transition support, such as follow-up care, school reintegration, and access to community programs are available when they return home.
“We are so thankful to all of our corporate sponsors, donors, and paddle boarders for their continued support in making this fundraiser a resounding success,” says Nicole Robson, President and CEO of Surrey Hospitals Foundation. “The funds raised will strengthen the regional youth mental health programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital, helping care teams better support children and youth experiencing mental health challenges. Together, we are ensuring they have access to the specialized training, resources, and programs needed to meet the growing demand for mental health services in our region and provide young people with the care they need, when they need it most.”
Surrey is one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in the province, on track to being the largest city in BC by 2030. Surrey is also home to one of the largest youth populations in the province, with more than 129,000 children and youth under age 19 (or about 23 percent of the city’s population).
And with 6,000 babies being born each year at Surrey Memorial Hospital there is a greater need than ever to support this region’s children and youth. An estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness, and by age 25, that number rises to 7.5 million (about one in five Canadians). Poignantly, 70 per cent of people living with a mental illness see their symptoms begin before age 18.
“Our child and adolescent mental health teams at Surrey Memorial Hospital support thousands of children and youth each year. Caring for youth during moments of crisis requires specialized skills, training, and compassion,” explains Paula Sandhu, Manager of Clinical Operations for Child, Youth and Young Adult Mental Health and Substance Use Services at Surrey Memorial Hospital. “This year, we are investing in scientifically supported, trauma-informed, evidence-based training programs, mentorship opportunities, and peer coaching for our multidisciplinary care teams. These initiatives will help equip our staff with the tools and confidence they need to respond effectively to complex situations involving children and youth.”
Families like the McLarens know firsthand the life-changing impact of the youth mental health programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital. When their child experienced a mental health crisis, the family turned to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Department before their child was admitted to several youth mental health programs over the course of several months.
“Our child needed help, and Surrey Memorial Hospital was there for us,” says Vince McLaren. “She participated in several youth mental health programs, but the Adolescent Day Treatment Program (ADTP) made an especially profound difference. Recovery from mental illness is an ongoing journey, but with each step and each program, she grew stronger. Because of the care and guidance, she received, she was able to return to school, graduate on time alongside her classmates, graduate with honours, and even earn a scholarship.”
Inspired by their family’s experience, the McLarens are committed to giving back and sharing a message of hope with other families navigating youth mental health challenges. Today, they continue to support the Adolescent Day Treatment Program by welcoming participants to their Surrey board game store, where young people can connect, play games, and enjoy moments of normalcy in a safe and welcoming environment.
“We want other families to know there is hope,” says McLaren. “The programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital changed our daughter’s life, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that helped our family when we needed it most.”
