WHITBY, ON – Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health (Ontario Shores Foundation) has received $150,000 from the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative to support its expansion of youth and adolescent care. The Bell Canada Youth Mental Health Clinic at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) will open this winter and provide outreach services to adolescents in need of specialized treatment.
"Ontario Shores Foundation is honoured to receive such a wonderful donation from Bell," says Neil Hannam, Executive Director, Ontario Shores Foundation. "Bell shares our commitment to expand treatment and improve the mental health and well-being of our youth."
As part of Bell Let's Talk, Bell will donate $150,000 over two years, enabling the clinic to provide specialized treatment and intensive outreach for youth with complex mental health issues who may be reluctant to access services or require significant support for reintegration. In addition, it will provide intensive clinical support to patients in their natural setting and may include such interventions as outreach, psycho-education, medication monitoring, social skills training and establishing linkages to longer term supports. The clinic team will also provide intensive support for inpatient care such as medication monitoring, support for reintegration to their school community or alternative programming.
"Bell is very pleased to offer our support for a program that will make such a difference for young people coping with mental illness in the region," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "Taking care into the community is crucial not only in improving access but also in fighting the stigma that keeps so many people from getting the treatment they need."
As part of Ontario Shores' approach to outreach, an inter-professional team consisting of a nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist, and child & youth and social workers work together to provide enhanced care for youth. Staff incorporate Ontario Shores' recovery model of care in all programs and services, develop individualized care plans and promote collaboration with staff, patients and families.
"With only one in five youth with mental health issues receiving care, this new outreach program will help increase access to specialized care so more youth receive the treatment they need," says Glenna Raymond, President and CEO, Ontario Shores "It is through collaboration and support from partners and leading organizations like Bell Canada that we will be able to provide enhanced treatment and care to youth and their families."
A key role for Ontario Shores is to provide assistance, teaching and support for community treatment teams who provide mental health care for youth and their families.
