As the pandemic looms onwards, the continued closure of Unit 9 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is very concerning. Around the world, as well as at home on P.E.I., rates of depression and anxiety have been rising steadily. Individuals who are severely struggling with these ailments should be able to receive any urgent care that they may need. Unit 9 is an integral aspect of urgent psychiatric care for P.E.I. For years, it has been evident that P.E.I. is lacking in the number of available psychologists and psychiatrists, which makes Unit 9 that much more important for Islanders facing severe mental health crises. The closure of Unit 9 can no longer be condoned.
In the early days of COVID-19, Unit 9 was shut down as a measure to create additional hospital space for potential COVID-19 patients. While it is important to know that we have the resources to house COVID patients if needed, P.E.I. has been blessed enough to have no hospitalizations. With this, it is time for our health-care professionals to reevaluate our priorities in regards to mental health services on the Island. In this time of COVID-19, mental health is becoming a more concerning topic by the day, and it is time that our Islanders are once again able to receive the psychiatric care they deserve.
Noelle Pettipas,
UPEI student,
Charlottetown
