Stock photo courtesy of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation

By Liam Verster

Mental Health Resources

New Youth Mental Health Pod open at VJH

Nov 13, 2025 | 1:57 PM

Vernon Jubilee Hospital has a new resource for youth mental health.

A new Youth Mental Health Pod opened at the local hospital on October 1, offering safe, effective and age-appropriate mental health services for youth aged 12 to 18 in the North Okanagan.

“We’ve learned so much about the critical components for effective care: we now know that the environment shapes outcomes,” Megan Thorne, Interior Health’s Director of Clinical Operations for the North Okanagan, stated.

“By providing a safe, therapeutic environment with consistent, trauma-informed support we can provide the compassionate and comprehensive services our youth need.”

The new unit has six individual youths staffed by specially-trained nurses. The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation (VJH Foundation) said the hub has a low patient-to-nurse ratio, allowing them to spend more time with each patient.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

Dec 14, 2025

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

The Youth Mental Health Pod also has a group area where patients can engage in programing to help develop their psycho-socialization skills and create a sense of belonging.

“It’s early days yet, but we’re already seeing our patients stabilizing more quickly and getting them back home,” Thorne stated.

“One of the goals was to reduce readmission rates and smooth transitions back into the community.”

The Youth Mental Health Pod cost $235,000 to establish. It was funded by $192,000 from community donations and $43,000 from the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary.

“We’re incredibly grateful to donors who choose ‘area of greatest need’ when they give,” Kate McBrearty, executive director of VJH Foundation, stated.

“This trust enables us to respond quickly to emergent needs. We were delighted to help bring the vision of this youth mental health pod to life. We’re also delighted to partner with the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary on this project.”

VJH Foundation noted the new hub was beneficial for the hospital as well, as previously youth mental health cases were addressed by diverting resources through the Emergency and the Women’s and Children’s Departments.

“Thank you to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, the Hospital Auxiliary and their generous donors who have helped make the new youth mental health pod a reality,” Chris Simms, IH’s Executive Director of Clinical Operations for the North Okanagan, added.

“The youth pod will improve care for young people with mental health and substance use challenges, benefit new mothers receiving care in the hospital’s maternity ward, and benefit recruitment by allowing staff in both units to work in the area where they specialize.”