Help Now! This is the region’s first fully-funded Live-In Mental Health Treatment Program. SUSD offers a safe, temporary space for healing for youth ages 12 to 17 who are experiencing serious mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It is a time-limited and 100% voluntary with professional Compass staff on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SUSD FAQ
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What is the SUSD Program?
The Step Up, Step Down (SUSD) program provides a safe, temporary healing space for youth ages 12–17 who are struggling with serious mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. It is a time-limited, 100% voluntary residential treatment program with professional Compass staff on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The program accommodates a maximum of 6 youth at a time.
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Is the SUSD program also an addictions facility?
SUSD is a mental health treatment program only. It is not an addictions facility, a detox center, or a youth justice service. Youth receive therapeutic support for concerns like depression and anxiety.
- What is the difference between a Group home and the SUSD program?
Unlike a group home, SUSD is time-limited and 100% voluntary. Youth choose to be here to focus on their healing, which creates a calm, structured environment very different from a mandatory placement.
- How many youth will be participating in the program?
The program is small and highly supervised. A maximum of six (6) youth at a time, with professional Compass staff on-site 24/7. This is a quiet, closely supervised therapeutic environment by design.
- How long do the youth stay?
This is a time-limited program. We anticipate the typical stay will be less than 3 months. The maximum length of stay is 6 months. Youth are here to complete their therapeutic work and then return home to their families. It is not a permanent home or placement.
- Are these youth dangerous? Are they going to be roaming the neighborhood?
No. The youth in our program are here because they are struggling with serious mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. They are not here for behavioral or youth justice issues. Furthermore, they are highly supervised. We have professional staff on-site 24/7, and youth do not leave the facility unescorted. This is a structured, therapeutic environment.
- What happens if a youth runs away or has a mental health crisis on the front lawn?
Because this program is 100% voluntary, we do not see the same ‘runaway’ risks associated with mandatory placements. These youth want to be here to heal. However, we are professionals who are highly trained in crisis de-escalation. In the rare event that a youth becomes distressed, our staff are equipped to manage it safely and calmly indoors. We do not expect our work to spill out into the neighborhood.
- Are the Family of the Youth aware?
Yes, Family involvement is required. Every youth must have a “family of choice”, a parent, guardian, or trusted family member- actively participating in their treatment. We work with families, not apart from them.
- Why did you choose this neighbourhood? Why not put this near the hospital?
These young people need a quiet, safe, and conventional environment to heal. We wanted to avoid an institutional or clinical setting. A neighbourhood such as this one provides the calm and the sense of home/community that is essential for their recovery. We chose Gary Avenue because it is a strong, welcoming neighborhood, and we want our youth to feel safe while they are here.
- Is having this in our neighborhood going to impact our property values?
We know this is a significant concern, as your home is likely one of your biggest investments. However, the research on well-managed, small-scale mental health facilities shows they do not negatively impact property values. What does hurt property values is a vacant, deteriorating building, which is what this school was. We are investing heavily in renovating the building, maintaining the property, and eventually revitalizing the green space.
- Who do neighbors call if there’s SUSD related problem at 2:00 AM?
We are not open yet, so we do not have a direct facility line to give you today but before we open our doors, we will share a direct contact number for the facility with the neighborhood. You will not be left without a way to reach us. In the meantime, our general line is always available: 1-800-815-7126, or you can email nminialoff@compassne.ca.
- Can I refer someone to this program?
At this time, referrals will come strictly through our hospital partnership. We will share updates regarding any changes to the referral process/pathway.
- How can I stay updated?
We will update this webpage as new information becomes available. If you have specific questions, please email nminialoff@compassne.ca or call 1-800-815-7126.
- What is the difference between a Group home and the SUSD program?
