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Red Deer facility guides mental health?patients back into society

Story and photo by Adam Eisenbarth

The obstacles to independence can seem enormous for many who suffer from a mental illness, such as schizophrenia and mood disorders.

A partnership between Â鶹ӳ»­ (AHS) and the Schizophrenia Society of Â鶹ӳ»­ is helping people navigate these challenges and build an improved quality of life.

Set in a quiet residential area in Red Deer, Kentwood Place has been operating since May 2007. In this home-like facility, individuals are working to develop the life skills for independence and strengthen their social support network.

¡°I love to paint. It gives me an escape and keeps me busy,¡± says resident Annette Carney. ¡°The staff have set up a quiet spot here in the garage where I can do my artwork, so I just turn on my radio and go to work.¡±

The path to self-recovery can take months, or sometimes years, and it¡¯s encouraging to see people working on goals that enhance their quality of life, says AHS Care Manager Terry Zibin.

¡°Without Kentwood Place, patients would typically go through a difficult cycle in which they are discharged from hospital, only to re-enter shortly after without significant improvements,¡± he says.

¡°We¡¯ve been quite successful in breaking this cycle and giving individuals the opportunity to comfortably and effectively reintegrate into the community.¡±

A big part of this success has been a defined goal-making strategy, in which residents must make monthly goals to help overcome their personal obstacles to independent life.

¡°This isn¡¯t simply a residence for them to stay in. They¡¯re expected to put in the work they need to do so they can develop the life skills they need,¡± says Zibin.

Equipped with a gym, two kitchens, pianos, sports equipment, video games and more, Kentwood Place is designed to spark individual interests and passions. A nearby bus stop provides easy access to the community.

Staff from AHS and the Schizophrenia Society provide psychosocial rehabilitation services (on-site 24/7) from a collaborative perspective. The Schizophrenia Society covers rent, and acts as the landlord for the facility.