PJ Initiative leaves lasting impression on inpatients
Smiles light up the faces of youth receiving PJ Project packages at the Irene and Leslie Dubé Centre for Mental Health in Saskatoon, revealing the positive impact it’s having on mental health patients.
“These small packages bring so much joy to those in hospital,” said a registered nurse (RN) who works on the 10-bed child and youth mental health unit at the Dubé Centre. The unit creates a safe, caring and healing space for youth 17 years and younger experiencing mental health problems that interfere with their quality of life.
Initiated by a former patient and her mother and funded through donations, the PJ Project provides each inpatient with a new pair of pyjamas, a comforting, encouraging hand-written message, and other supportive resources.
“It means so much to our team that this idea comes from a family that has spent significant time in the health-care system and wanted to share it with other youth in our care,” said Ryan Baliski, Manager, Inpatient Child and Youth, Mental Health and Addictions.
