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A 2018 OTF Grant of $68,400 Launches Appropriate Childhood Experiences (ACE) Program at Pathstone.

St. Catharines, ON – Thanks to a $68,400 Seed grant that was awarded by Ontario Trillium Foundation one year ago, a new program has been launched at Pathstone Mental Health. This pilot will examine parents/caregivers with children up to the age of three.

Those participating in the program have a history of Appropriate Childhood Experiences and their children may as well. Over the course of eight weeks, these 90-minute mostly group sessions will offer counselling, education and therapy to reinforce what childhood should be. This is an emerging mental health issue, as those who have been identified to have ACE are 12 times more likely to commit suicide. Research shows that more immediate therapy at an early age through this type of program could reduce or eliminate the need for mental health support later in life. Other benefits that have been shown include: a drop-in children accessing welfare, reduction in poor academic performance, improved social skills, a reduction in suicide and drug use and fewer cases where child and welfare services are involved.

“With this investment from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Pathstone has the opportunity to improve the outcome of Niagara’s families and their children, as well as demonstrate the immense importance of this work. The hope is to make the ACE program a permanent one at Pathstone.” – Bill Helmeczi, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Standards, and Practices

About OTF
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $108 million to 629 projects this year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities. For more information, please visit: www.otf.ca

About Pathstone
Pathstone Mental Health is a community-based organization whose mission it is to provide innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara diagnosed with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of children and their families as the only accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara. Crisis Services are offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

Media Contact – for Questions / Interviews:

Kim Rossi – Director of Philanthropy & Public Relations
Pathstone Mental Health/ Pathstone Foundation
905.688.6850 x 167 e. krossi@pathstone.ca

Thanks to a joint commitment and true community effort, mental health services are now being offered in Niagara-on-the-Lake through a Walk-In Clinic operated by Pathstone Mental Health.

This collaborative effort involved Lord Mayor Betty Disero, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Red Roof Retreat, Niagara Community Foundation and Pathstone.

Youth Mental Health support is incredibly important and we are thrilled to be working with our partners to bring this crucial service into Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s important for all youth to know there is a safe place for them to come and discuss and receive support for any mental health issues they may be dealing with. With Council and the Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council on board we are excited to get started and to be able offer this critical support to our citizens.
Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Betty Disero

Having a welcoming environment where our NOTL youth can go to feel safe, and to find someone who is caring and listening to their needs and concerns, is a very positive step to reaching the youth in our community. I hope that every youth will see this as a place they can go to ask questions, learn strategies, and find answers.
Chair, Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Bethany Poltl

The Walk-In Clinic will be open each Monday, from 11:30 am until 7:30 pm(last appointment taken at 6pm) at Red Roof Retreat on Concession 6, starting Monday, September 9th. Mental Health support is offered one-on-one by a Pathstone clinician at no cost, with no appointment or health card required.

With approximately 3,000 children and youth in Niagara-on-the-Lake it was important that they had mental health services locally. With this commitment, they become the eighth Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic across Niagara and all sites are open to anyone under the age of 18, living in Niagara.
Director of Philanthropy & PR at Pathstone, Kim Rossi,

The Town has already solidified a two year commitment to provide walk-in services in partnership with Niagara Community Foundation.

We are able to provide funding for this program through the Niagara-on-the-Lake Healthcare Foundation Fund which was created in 2018 for the purposes of supporting the delivery of healthcare services to the residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake. To be able to assemble such a collection of groups to come together to make this project come to fruition in NOTL, as it has in a number of other municipalities, speaks to the positive impact we can have when we work together.
Executive Director Niagara Community Foundation, Bryan Rose

In search of a space that was safe, private and accessible, Red Roof Retreat was the ideal location.

Our space and property have been helping so many families for the past 20 years, and we welcome the opportunity to share it with children and youth seeking mental health support. Together, we hope the walk-in clinic can give hope and positive growth to the young people who need it the most.  We are honored to be part of this initiative.
Executive Director at Red Roof Retreat, Steffanie Bjorgan

All eight locations of the Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic are open to all Niagara residents up to age 18.

Locations:

NEW Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Niagara-on-the-Lake
Day / Time:  EVERY Monday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location:  Red Roof Retreat- 1594 Concession 6 Road
*Beginning September 9^th

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Welland
Day / Time:  EVERY Monday– 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: John Howard Building, 225 East Main Street

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Fort Erie
Day / Time:  EVERY Tuesday– 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Bridges Community Health Centre – 1485 Garrison Road

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Port Colborne
Day / Time: EVERY Wednesday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Bridges Community Health Centre – 380 Elm Street

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Grimsby
Day / Time:  EVERY Wednesday– 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Grimsby Public Library, 18 Carnegie Lane
*Beginning September 11th

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Niagara Falls
Day / Time:  EVERY Thursday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location:  The Niagara Falls Community Health Centre; 4790 Victoria Avenue

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Beamsville
Day / Time:  EVERY Thursday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location:  Fleming Centre, 5020 Serena Drive

Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – St. Catharines – OPEN 5 days per week
Days / Times:  EVERY Monday- Thursday– 9am – 7pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
EVERY Friday– 9am – 4pm (last appointment taken at 3pm)
Location: Branscombe Mental Health Centre, 1338 Fourth Avenue
*Please note, parking at BMHC is $2.50 for the first hour, $5 MAX.

About Pathstone Mental Health

Pathstone Mental Health is a community-based organization whose mission it is to provide innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara diagnosed with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of children and their families as the only accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara. Helping kids in Niagara for over 50 years. Note, Crisis Services are offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

Media Contact – for Questions / Interviews:
Kim Rossi – Director of Philanthropy & Public Relations
Pathstone Mental Health/ Pathstone Foundation
905.688.6850 x 167  c. 289.969.8342  e. krossi@pathstone.ca

Grimsby town council has approved the creation of a child and youth mental health walk-in clinic. The only issue standing in the way, is the need for a free, safe space to house it.

Earlier this week, council heard from Pathstone CEO Shaun Baylis and GBF ED, Stacy Elia about why this kind of outreach is important.

We acknowledged the need to get further into communities across our region and this is the most effective way to do it. Offering immediate mental health counselling which we know is essential, means kids are heard as soon as they seek support without delay. Town and city councils are walking with us shoulder to shoulder on this effort and as a result, we have been able to establish seven Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic sites across Niagara.
Shaun Baylis, CEO Pathstone Mental Health

The GBF team is proud to have been a part of bringing Pathstone’s walk-in-clinic to Grimsby. We appreciate the efforts of all involved as we continue to further expand mental health supports in Grimsby, and feel this is a brilliant way to remove barriers to treatment in our community.
Stacy Elia, Executive Director GBF Community Services

The Grimsby Benevolent Fund is very excited to have built a relationship with the Pathstone Mental Health group. The Town of Grimsby’s decision to bring a walk-in clinic to the youth of our community is an example of what can be done when passionate and motivated groups collaborate to reach a common goal. The walk-in clinic is another “box checked off” for the GBF as it continues to deploy its resources, and have a positive impact on the mental health of our community.
Tom Beach, Chair of GBF Mental Health

This partnership ensures that families don’t have to go far for immediate mental health support for their children. Once a space has been found, the Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic will be open one day per week in the town of Grimsby. There is no appointment, no cost and no health card needed to see a Pathstone clinician for mental health support.

On behalf of Council we are delighted to partner with Pathstone and GBF Community Services to bring this important support for mental health to Grimsby. The walk-in clinic will provide youth and families access to crucial resources in our community.
Jeff Jordan, Mayor of Grimsby

The ideal space will be donated one day per week. It needs to be private, easy to access, (public transportation or centrally located) safe and offers a public reception until 7:30 pm on the chosen walk-in clinic day. Ideally a community health centre is suitable, while the Town of Lincoln will house their walk-in clinic in a room off of the library at the Fleming Centre. We are open to having a conversation and site inspection with anyone looking to support this effort through the offer of a free space.
Kim Rossi, Director of Philanthropy & PR Pathstone Mental Health

Currently, Hear & Now Walk-In clinic sites are open in Fort Erie, Welland, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Beamsville and soon, Grimsby. Available to children, youth and families living in the Niagara Region, a Pathstone clinician will meet with parents with children who are 6 and under and youth up to age 18 on a first come first serve basis.

*Those interested in offering a free space to house Grimsby’s Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic can connect with:
Kim Rossi p. 905.688.6850 x 167  c. 289.969.8342  e. krossi@pathstone.ca

Locations:

Coming Soon Grimsby
One day per week / 11:30 am – 7:30 pm / Location TBD

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Welland
Day / Time: EVERY Monday- 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: John Howard Building, 225 East Main Street, Welland, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Fort Erie
Day / Time: EVERY Tuesday- 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Bridges Community Health Centre – 1485 Garrison Road, Fort Erie, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Port Colborne
Day / Time: EVERY Wednesday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Bridges Community Health Centre – 380 Elm Street, Port Colborne, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Niagara Falls
Day / Time: EVERY Thursday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: The Niagara Falls Community Health Centre; 4790 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Beamsville
Day / Time: EVERY Thursday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Fleming Centre, 5020 Serena Dr., Beamsville, ON
*Beginning August 15th

Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – St. Catharines – OPEN 5 days per week
Days / Times: EVERY Monday- Thursday- 9am – 7pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
EVERY Friday- 9am – 4pm (last appointment taken at 3pm)
Location: Branscombe Mental Health Centre (BMHC), 1338 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines, ON
*Please note, parking at BMHC is $2 for the first hour, $5 MAX.

The City of Niagara Falls is taking steps to ensure families don’t have to go far for mental health support. Niagara Falls City council approved and committed funding to opening a satellite one-day per week walk-in clinic called the Hear & Now Clinic, run by Pathstone Mental Health in the City of Niagara Falls.

Every Thursday, starting tomorrow, July 4th, from 11:30am until 6pm, Pathstone clinician Rebecca Bufalino will see children up to age 18 at the Niagara Falls Community Health Centre at 4790 Victoria Avenue. There is no appointment needed, no cost and a health card is not required.
In addition, one-on-one mental health counselling for children, youth and their parents and caregivers is available Monday through Friday at the Branscombe Mental Health Centre in St. Catharines.

Quotes

Supporting Pathstone’s Walk-In Clinic for youth in Niagara Falls is a way that we can make a real contribution toward safe, accessible mental wellness in our community. The bottom line is that we have a need here, and we are filling the gap by partnering with Pathstone so they can provide this important service to our young people.
Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls

The goal is to create easier accessibility and give support to youth and their families who are in need of mental health services. It’s my hope that Pathstone’s additional Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic sites will be a great access point for youth and families who need our services but found it difficult to get to St. Catharines. I’m looking forward to offering guidance to kids and families and working on new strategies to best support their mental wellness.
Rebecca Bufalino, Pathstone clinician

We needed to get further into communities across the region and this was the best way to do it, while offering immediate mental health counselling which we know is essential for kids. Collaborative efforts between Pathstone and town and city councils, have resulted in the opening of four new Hear & Now Walk-In Clinics, located in Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
Shaun Baylis, CEO Pathstone Mental Health

Locations

NEW Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Niagara Falls
Day / Time: EVERY Thursday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: The Niagara Falls Community Health Centre; 4790 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Welland
Day / Time: EVERY Monday- 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: John Howard Building, 225 East Main Street, Welland, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Fort Erie
Day / Time: EVERY Tuesday- 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Bridges Community Health Centre – 1485 Garrison Road, Fort Erie, ON

Satellite Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – Port Colborne
Day / Time: EVERY Wednesday – 11:30 am – 7:30 pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
Location: Bridges Community Health Centre – 380 Elm Street, Port Colborne, ON

Hear & Now Walk-In Clinic – St. Catharines
Days / Times: EVERY Monday- Thursday- 9am – 7pm (last appointment taken at 6pm)
EVERY Friday- 9am – 4pm (last appointment taken at 3pm)
Location: Branscombe Mental Health Centre (BMHC), 1338 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines, ON
*Please note, parking at BMHC is $2 for the first hour, $5 MAX.