Windsor-Essex's premier facility for teens experiencing mental health issues is expanding its footprint to the county.
Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services unveiled its new satellite office in Leamington Monday. The Abraham Orthodontics Community Youth Room is designed to make it easier for teens in the Leamington area to access mental health support.
"The opening of the Abraham Orthodontics Community Youth Room-Maryvale satellite office in Leamington is an important collaborative effort to connect our young residents in distress to the vital supports, services, and resources they need in their home community," said Mayor Hilda MacDonald in a media release. "The Municipality of Leamington is proud to support the opening of this children’s mental health treatment centre in Leamington at our Recreation Centre."
Jenny Letink, Maryvale Executive Director, said the satellite facility is a big step in providing mental health support for teens who may have difficulty accessing it.
"Typically, they would have to travel to the Maryvale campus in Windsor to access these critical services," said Letink. "I am hoping that we can replicate this collaborative partnership in other municipalities across the County of Essex."
The Leamington campus will be open four days a week, with a clinically-trained therapist available to provide counselling. One day per week, a family navigation worker will be present to help underserved residents connect with mental health and addiction resources.
Maryvale began in Windsor in 1929 as a centre for young females in need. It was the first facility of its kind in Ontario. The programming expanded to boys in 1984. In 2013, Maryvale began concentrating on day and after-school programming with partnerships involving area schools and access to child psychiatrists. An acute-care mental health hospital program is also available to allow youth from Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent to receive care for serious mental health and behavioural challenges.
Complete information about Maryvale can be found on its official website.
