Sadly, it’s a story that’s becoming more and more common.
Coun. Ken Sentance was shocked by the suicide of a young person that was close to him.
And he wants to offer help, in his hometown.
After doing some research, and speaking with staff at Pathstone Mental Health, Sentance learned that for a commitment of $20,000 for the year from city council, Pathstone would send a crisis management worker to Thorold once a week.
The second thing the city would require is a designated safe place to talk; “Some place where people feel safe and comfortable, and not embarrassed to get help,” in the words of Sentance.
He explained to his fellow councillors at a recent council meeting that for people in crisis, the city needs to offer help with “no referrals, no cost necessary” to be effective.
“It affects more people than we can imagine—especially a lot of our youth these days—and I think Thorold should be a part of this.”
Niagara Falls, Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Grimsby and Beamsville all have mental health crisis satellite offices in place, with Pathstone’s flagship Branscombe Mental Health Centre located at 1338 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines.
According to Kim Rossi, director of philanthrophy and public relations, Pathstone served 7,651 children last year and 1,667 calls were made to the organization’s 24/7 crisis hotline phone.
Other startling facts: One in five children and youth will be affected by a mental health issue; Canada’s youth suicide rate is the third highest in the industrialized world, with 10 Canadians dying by suicide every day; and 70 per cent of mental health challenges have their onset in childhood or adolescence. Fortunately, research has proven that early intervention can make a dramatic difference in a child’s quality of life.
Sentance said the $20,000 cost for crisis counselling will be discussed during Thorold’s budget meetings, which start later this month.
