Built for Healing: Expanding Mental Health and Substance Use Care

Through the UHNBC Acute Care Tower project, we’re making strides to expand mental health and substance use services and bring stronger, more accessible care to Northern BC.

The natural beauty of Northern BC inspires a sense of calm and connection to the land, an influence that’s shaping the early design vision for mental health and substance use spaces in the new tower. While planning is still underway, the goal is to incorporate healing-centered elements like natural light and soothing aesthetics to support wellness and recovery.

Growing Capacity for Mental Health and Substance Use Care

What’s Changing:

Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Beds: 5 new beds added (11 total)

Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Beds: 16 new beds added (36 total)

Adult Withdrawal Management Beds: 12 new beds added (32 total)

Adult Psychiatric Brief Intervention Beds: 4 new beds now introduced

These additions mean more timely, local support for youth, adults in crisis, and individuals beginning their recovery journey.

A New Tower, Built for Healing:

The new patient tower will be designed from the ground up with healing in mind.

What makes it different?

Trauma-Informed Design: Spaces that feel safe, calm, and respectful. Healing starts with how you’re treated.

Advanced, Integrated Care: Mental and physical health services working together to treat the whole person.

Patient-Centered Environments: Thoughtful layouts, lighting, and noise control that support comfort and autonomy.

Universal Access and Equity: Barrier-free care for everyone, regardless of background or ability.

Seamless Transition Support: Smooth handoffs between hospital, community care, and long-term recovery.

Innovation in Mental Health Care: Smart tech and new care models for early intervention and long-term support.

Collaborative Teams: Interdisciplinary teams working together to wrap care around each patient.

Healing-Centered Spaces: Natural light, green spaces, and calming aesthetics built in to reduce stress and promote recovery.

The tower is more than just a building, it’s a commitment to better care, closer to home. As construction moves forward, stay tuned right here for weekly updates, behind-the-scenes looks, and stories from the people shaping the future of health care in Northern BC.

Got questions or something you'd like to share? Drop a comment below, we’re always glad to hear from you.