“It’s a group, but not a group,” says Kieran, 22. “You don’t sit in a circle talking about your feelings. It’s a chill environment where you can just go and be a kid.”
He’s talking about a group for clients in The Royal’s Youth Psychiatry Program who experience psychosis — a group he attended for four years. It’s a weekly drop-in rooted in evidence-based best practices, but tailor-made to the needs of the young people in it.
“Young people as a group want minimal intervention, but when they become unwell, it’s good for them to have a place where they’ll be looked after urgently,” says Dr. Gail Beck, clinical director of the Youth Psychiatry Program.
“This group means that any week of the year they can drop in on a Thursday afternoon and know someone will be there to see them and provide the assistance they need, so they can avoid rehospitalisation and get help quickly.”
It’s a safety net in the form of the drop-in.
Attendance isn’t mandatory, but it’s there when people need it. A core group of about a dozen people shows up every week; many others attend intermittently.
“This is a really clear place for these young people, where they feel welcomed no matter how often they come,” says Dr. Beck.
In the group, young people work with interdisciplinary staff to learn everything from nutrition to how to write a resume. This part is very youth-driven — several times a year, the group members suggest topics they want to cover.
Kieran gives the example of learning how to prepare simple meals as a group. It wasn’t just the cooking — they had to budget for the groceries and shop before preparing the meal.
“Dealing with mental illness at that age is really hard because you’re going through a lot of changes in your life. You’re becoming more independent, but at the same time your mental illness is pulling you back,” he says.
"This is a really clear place for these young people, where they feel welcomed no matter how often they come."“Learning life skills, even the little things, helps young adults become more independent.”
The group is also a one-stop shop for some young people’s medical necessities. Throughout the afternoon, they may have individual appointments. Those on injectable medications will get their shots; those who need lab tests will do so; others need to be weighed and have their vital signs monitored due to the medication they’re on.
The last hour of the group is dedicated to fun activities — usually in the gym, but some days out in the community.
Kieran attended the group from ages 17 to 21, during the years of transition between youth and adult services that can be very difficult for young people to navigate. This group helped provide him with continuity.
“The youth psychosis group was by far my favourite group at The Royal,” says Kieran.
“We talk about our experiences, but not sitting in a circle — we do things together, and along the way it comes out naturally. It’s not often you come out of a traditional group thinking ‘Wow! That was fun!’”