Article content
Teens looking for help with anything from mental health to employment and peer support now have a new place to go.
advertisement 2
Article content
The Youth Wellness Hub launched Tuesday, offering a variety of health and social services to youth aged 12 to 25. The hope is the hub will become a one-stop shop for youth and young adults looking for support, with a walk-in model to make it easy to access.
“The services we hope to provide are all youth-led, focusing on mental health, addiction, primary care, a focus on peer support and staff who have lived experience,” said Michelle Rocheleau, operations manager for the Youth Wellness Hub.
Navigation of the mental health system is challenging at the best of times
“We have services with focuses on employment, education, training, life skills and fun things that youth will enjoy, like art and yoga. Anything to get them in the door and if there’s anything to build on from there to help… we’ll go from there.”
advertisement 3
Article content
The project was first announced last year and is one of 14 youth wellness hubs across the province. Since the announcement, it’s been full steam ahead to get it up and running in less than a year, staff said — especially because youth and families have been struggling more than ever during the pandemic.
“Youth wellness hub are what youth and families have been asking for for years, a one-stop shop for mental health, addictions, housing employment supports and so much more,” said Kim Willis, director of mental health promotion for the Canadian Mental Health Association, one of the partners on the hub project.
Rocheleau said it was important to have a walk-in model so teens don’t end up on weeks- or months-long waitlists for mental health support, helping to mitigate risks and “lead (youth) in the right direction.”
advertisement 4
Article content
The process was significantly guided by the 19-member youth action committee, who were involved in everything from the types of services and activities planned for the space, to the paint colors on the walls and pillows on the sofa.
“(The hub) was built by a group of people who come from so much diversity and challenges and backgrounds, and created this together,” said Olivia Caschera, one of the members of the youth committee.
Willis said the hub model is innovative because families won’t have to constantly change agencies or navigate a complex system to get help.
“Navigation of the mental health system is challenging at the best of times and they don’t want to move from provider to provider and have to tell their story every time,” she said.
advertisement 5
Article content
Rocheleau said its location on the Maryvale campus is actually a temporary home while they look for a suitable but more central location, ideally one accessible by bus where teens feel safe and welcome in the neighborhood.
-
Windsor-Essex receives youth mental health funding support
-
Pandemic impacting high school students mental health and career choices Author of the article:
-
Jarvis: ‘There’s a whole life out in the city on the streets’
It’s really a space created for youth, by youth, committee members said — and they hope that it will help entice kids to come check it out.
“The process has been truly enjoyable, picking out what we want the rooms to look like, what activities we want and what activities we think a youth hub should have,” said Chidera Ikewibe, another member of the youth committee.
“I know a lot of people who have tried to access mental health resources in Windsor and a big problem is going on a waitlist,” Ikewibe said. “Having the hub to that immediate response and intake is very well needed in the community.”
The Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex is located at Maryvale Cottage 6, 3640 Wells Street. Find more information, services and hours at youthhubyqg.com.
