PHAST Program:
Andrew’s Story
Andrew showed up at Joseph Brant Hospital’s
Emergency Department (ED) suffering from severe
depression and anxiety. Before being discharged
from our inpatient mental health and addictions unit,
he was connected to PHAST to provide Andrew with
the support he needed to help stabilize his crisis and
connect him to on-going support services at home.
Instead of Andrew being put on a wait-list or having
to source community resources, PHAST provides the
support and tools immediately, all in one location. learn to evolve the program to better assist and
serve individuals like Andrew.
Prioritizing Health through Acute Stabilization
and Transition (PHAST) is a program that supports
individuals aged 16 or older experiencing urgent
mental health or addiction concerns. PHAST’s
comprehensive and connective care model gives
patients immediate access to support through a
collaborated effort between Joseph Brant Hospital,
Reach out Centre for Kids (ROCK), Canadian Mental
Health Association: Halton Branch and Halton
Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention
and Treatment Services (ADAPT). “The staff within the PHAST program
are deeply committed to the patients
they serve. They truly cared about
all facets of my recovery. Their
knowledge and broad understanding
of the impacts my depression and
anxiety had, was evident throughout
the entire process.”
“The PHAST team offered a series of programs
and services that included group sessions, access
to psychiatric care, support for my family, and
the continued monitoring of my mental health,”
explained Andrew. “They were able to provide a
high level of professional support and gave me tools
to cope so that a visit to the ED was not required.”
In 2018, the PHAST Program was a recipient of the
Achieving Excellence Together Engagement Award
of Excellence recognizing PHAST for health system
integration, creating more effective mental health
and addiction models of care for patients and
families. The PHAST team continues to adapt and
“The staff within the PHAST program are deeply
committed to the patients they serve. They
truly cared about all facets of my recovery. Their
knowledge and broad understanding of the
impacts my depression and anxiety had, was
evident throughout the entire process.”
Andrew is just one example of a patient who
participated and benefited from the PHAST
program. Since its implementation, Joseph Brant
Hospital has seen a 37 per cent reduction in short-
stay inpatients admissions to the mental health
unit. The team is hopeful that the program will
continue to impact and benefit individuals in the
community and improve their quality of life.
“I feel that the impact on my life, and the
supports available to me and my family were
so valuable, that my quality of life has been
enhanced by PHAST,” Andrew reflects.
Annual Report 2018-2019
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