Walk-in mental health counselling at youth centre
Clearview Youth Centre is now offering mental health counselling.
Laura Foster, a social worker with the John Howard Society of Simcoe Muskoka, is at the youth centre every Wednesday offering a walk-in Youth Mental Health Counselling program.
“It’s beneficial because there is limited mental health services for youth in the Stayner area. They would have to go to a bigger area like Barrie or Collingwood to access those services,” said Foster.
The All About Youth Mental Health Walk-In Program is open to people between the ages of 12 and 24. Free one-on-one counselling is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and sessions are between 45 minutes to an hour. No appointments are necessary. Referrals and health cards are also not required.
The All About Youth Mental Health Walk-In Program is both a prevention and intervention service, as it provides support to youth involved with and at risk of becoming involved with the law. Youth do not need to be involved with the criminal justice system to access the program.
Foster said the program is open to anyone experiencing mental health challenges or any other issues that may be affecting their mental health. For example, issues could include abuse, addiction, anger management, anxiety, bullying, depression, eating disorders, gender identity, grief, homelessness, relationship issues, low self esteem, sexual orientation, stress and trauma – anything affecting youth mental health.
Warning signs could include struggling in school, or struggling socially, isolating themselves, using negative coping strategies, self-harm and aggression, said Foster.
She said treatment could progress to regular appointments.
“Depending on the issue they are dealing with, I would also be able to provide them with a referral to a service that would be more suited to their specific needs,” said Foster. “For example, if they needed more intensive substance abuse treatment, I could refer them to another service.”
The sessions are confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.
The program is possible thanks to one year of funding from the United Way Simcoe Muskoka Women’s Leadership Council.
The walk-in program is from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Wednesday, with the last session beginning at 6 p.m.
For more information contact John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka Youth Mental Health Counsellor Laura Foster at lfoster@jhssm.ca or 705-817-9580.
The John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka has been providing services to members of the community since 1998. It provides a broad range of evidence-based and outcome-driven community services in Simcoe County and Muskoka, with offices in Barrie and Orillia. The organization has a strong history of helping individuals and families who are at risk of, or who have come into conflict with the law. Their work includes the provision of prevention and intervention services as well as advocacy, public education, and community partnerships.
