Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department & Short Stay Unit

The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department provides individuals experiencing a mental health, addiction, or substance use crisis with streamlined, 24/7 access to a multi-disciplinary team of trained staff in a safe and welcoming environment specifically designed to meet their emergency/urgent care needs. The Mental Health and Addictions Short Stay Unit provides acute care stays for up to 72 hours. 

Services offered include psychiatric assessment, telepsychiatry, addictions crisis services, and stabilization.

Where is the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department & Short Stay Unit? 

The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department & Short Stay Unit is located beside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Emergency Department at 60 Riverside Dr. in Charlottetown. 

Enter through the QEH Emergency Department main entrance and go to the triage desk for assessment. 

Take a 360° virtual tour 

Explore the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Room and Short Stay Unit. Navigate the tour by clicking on the blue dots and signs on the door and by holding down the left click on your mouse (if on a desktop) to move around the space. 

When should I go to the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department for help? 

The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department provides care to individuals who are experiencing a mental health, addictions or substance use crisis. 

A mental health, addictions and/or substance use crisis may include: 

• a serious, immediate mental health, addictions or substance use concern;
• risk of self-harm or harm to others; 
• psychosis; 
• emotional trauma, agitation, severe depression or anxiety; 
• symptoms of moderate withdrawal; or,
• suicidal thoughts.

Every situation is different. If you are unsure whether you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or emergency requiring this level of care, call the Mental Health and Addictions Access Line toll-free: 1-833-553-6983.

If you are at immediate risk of suicide or harm to yourself or others, or if you require medical or emergency intervention, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.

How do I access the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department?

Enter through the QEH Emergency Department main entrance and go to the triage desk. 

The QEH Emergency Department triage team will assess you. 

If you need immediate medical care or are experiencing high levels of agitation or substance use withdrawal requiring medical support, you may need to stay in the QEH Emergency Department  until it is safe for you to be transferred to the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department or be admitted to hospital for further treatment if needed.

What can I expect when I go to the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department? 

You will meet with a team of trained staff in a safe and therapeutic space. 

The team will work with you to develop a treatment plan. This could include admission to hospital or connection to services in the community. 

The team works collaboratively with other emergency, hospital, and community-based mental health and addictions services to ensure you have a treatment plan and links to services that best support your care needs. 

If I am admitted to the Short Stay Unit, what can I expect? 

If the on-duty psychiatrist or nurse practitioner determines that a hospital admission shorter than 72 hours (three days) best meets your needs, they may admit you to the  Short Stay Unit. 

If you require a longer admission, you may be transferred to Hillsborough Hospital or Prince County Hospital for continued care.  

Do I need a referral to access emergency mental health, addiction and/or substance use care? 

No, you do not need to a referral to access the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department services. 

Admission to the Short Stay Unit is at the recommendation of the health care team following a thorough assessment. 

Do I need to be a client of a mental health, addiction or substance use program to access these services? 

No, you do not need to be a client of a mental health, addiction or substance use program to access the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department & Short Stay Unit.

Who is part of the care team? 

The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department & Short Stay Unit multi-disciplinary teams are trained in emergency/urgent mental health, addiction and substance use care. 

Team members include psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers, and clerks. 

What are the hours of operation? 

The Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Where can I get more information about mental health, addiction or substance use programs? 

If you have questions about programs or need help finding the programs that best fit your care needs, you can contact the Mental Health and Addictions Patient Navigator by telephone at 902-218-3289 or email at MHApatientnavigator@ihis.org. You can also call the Mental Health and Addictions Access Line at 1-833-553-6983 (toll-free).