The Northern Lights Health Foundation is working on a project to better support mental health.

They’re currently collecting funds to create a pediatric mental health sensory room at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.

It will be used to help children establish schedules, finish homework, and control emotions, while also including gaming components for individual play, touch, and sound help.

“They need to be able to help kids self-regulate and understand the sensory triggers that are setting them off in either the school place or maybe a home setting,” said Cindy Amarongen, Executive Director of the NLHF.

She adds this was part of a ‘wishlist’ compiled by staff at the hospital.

It showcases potential projects and initiatives that doctors, nurses, and more believe will improve their care.

“What we discovered over a period of research over the last two years is that many of the rooms for pediatric patients have been used by mental health pediatric patients,” added Amerongen.

“So they’re not kids that are in there with a broken leg or are waiting for surgery, they’re in for mental health reasons.”

The project is expected to cost around $250,000.

It will be located in the pediatric department as crews will take advantage of existing space.