• On Feb, 19, 2016
•  Jayne Hembruff
•  Uncategorized

Anxiety is a reality for some children. In fact, nearly one in five Ontario children under the age of 18 experiences a mental, emotional or behavioural disorder that is severe enough to seriously affect their daily functioning at home, school or within the community. The good news is that early diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes for children later in life. However, as a parent with a child living with anxiety, I know?first hand how you may feel?alone and not know what resources are available to you.

I am hoping this post/blog can help you and your child.

Through my training as a Trauma Informed yoga teacher, who offers an in patient yoga program for people living with anxiety and/or mood disorders, nearly ?three decades of working with people with anxiety and mood disorders, and being a mom with a child living with anxiety , I have found some tools that really do help. Last year, I wrote an?article “Calm, Alert & Ready to Learn: Preparing children for managing stress”. This article shares my ‘Yoga-Tastic’ model. Please feel free to read the full articles in Holist Parent Magazine, Winter 2015 edition, page 22-24.

 

 

In addition, I would highly encourage you to attend ?Thursday, Feb 25? Parents for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH) workshop facilitated by CCAC’s Mental Health Nurse to learn about services available, strategies and other supports.

Did you know PCMH also offers a?Peer to Peer Support Group?

Support Group Meetings are held the Fourth Tuesday of each Month

TIME: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lutherwood, 285 Benjamin Road, Waterloo

Wat Region PCMH Support Group Poster

For more information visit??http://www.pcmh.ca/Waterloo

PCMH also has a great Resource List?Waterloo Resource List

?Free Family Eduction Events:

 

Canadian Mental Health Association is offering free workshops on:

Mon Feb 22 De-Escalate A Crisis

Wed March 2 Safe Talk ?6-9:30pm

 

 

 

RESOURCES:

CRISIS?Call 911

Or bring your child to?Grand River Hospital?(835 King Street West, Kitchener, ON N2G 1G3).??GRH has?a Child Adolescent inpatient program and transition support team, as well as a Youth Adolescent Program.

If you wish to talk to GRH?Family Peer Navigator, call: (519) 749-4300 and ask to speak to Elaine Paton. She is an excellent resource.

WALK?IN SERVICES:

Front Door ?http://www.frontdoormentalhealth.ca??Access to Child and Youth Mental Health Services in KW

Front Door offers Walk-In services at three different locations:

Monday: 9am-3:30pm at 1770 King Street E., Kitchener (Front Door)
Tuesday: 12pm ? 6:30pm at 35 Dickson St, Cambridge (Lutherwood)
Wednesday: 12pm ? 6:30pm at 1770 King Street E., Kitchener (Front Door)
Thursday: 9am ? 3:30pm at 1145 Concession Rd., Cambridge (Langs)

HELP LINES:

Here 24/7 ? Call 1 844 437 3247?(HERE247) ?TTY: 1-877-688-5501

Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health and crisis services provided by 12 agencies across Waterloo ? Wellington ? Dufferin. All you need to do is reach out to us. We do the intake, assessment, referral, crisis, waitlist and appointment booking work for these important programs. It?s our job to be your guide, figure out your needs and help you navigate the system. This leaves you free to focus on maintaining hope and pursuing recovery.?http://here247.ca

Kids Help Phone Call: 1-800-668-6868??Parents did you know you can call if you are concerend about your child aged 5-20 years old

For children and youth between the ages of 5 and 20
Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
Phone and online via web post or live chat
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free, anonymous and confidential

Good2Talk Call: 1-866-925-5454

For post-secondary students in Ontario
Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
Free, confidential and anonymous helpline
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Mental Health Helpline
Provides information about counselling services and supports in your community
Listens, offers support and provide strategies to help you meet your goals
Provides basic education about mental illness
Call: 1-866-531-2600
Ontario Distress Centres
A free telephone help-line for people experiencing emotional distress (including suicide)
Provide listening and referral services primarily through highly trained volunteers
Most centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Call a distress centre in your area

 

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS:

APSGO has worked with parents of acting-out youth to offer support, strength and coping strategies on a wide range of issues.?In KW, the group meets on Wednesday evening from 7:15pm to 8:45 pm at the Rock Spa, located at 396B Victoria Street North in Kitchener ? ?https://wrfn.info/apsgo-new-chapter-opening-in-kw/

PCMH Peer to Peer Support Group meet? Fourth Tuesday of each Month?from ??7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at?Lutherwood, 285 Benjamin Road, Waterloo ?http://www.pcmh.ca/Waterloo

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council?http://wrspc.ca

?https://www.ontario.ca/page/mental-health-services-children-and-youth

Mindyourmind ?http://mindyourmind.ca

A space where youth can get information, resources and tools to manage stress, crisis and mental health related problems
Inspires youth to reach out, to get help for themselves or to give help to their friends who may be experiencing tough times

 

Children?s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

A pediatric health and research center providing family-centred patient care for children and youth aged 18 and under
Runs specialized programs for eating disorders, autism, psychiatric mental health, sexual assault, telepsychiatry and early language development

Children?s Mental Health Ontario
Represents and supports the providers of child and youth mental health treatment services
Includes 85 accredited children?s mental health centres that provide support to families and treatment to young people facing mental health problems
Services are provided at no cost to clients
Find a children?s mental health centre in your community