COMMUNITY
Rendering of the new Branscombe Mental Health Centre.
Mending Children’s Minds Pathstone takes its commitment to Niagara’s children to a whole new level with launch of the Branscombe Mental Health Centre. By Scott Leslie
was first known as the Niagara Child Development Centre. The agency would eventually combine forces with the Niagara Centre For Youth Care―and took on the name Pathstone Mental Health in 2011. Under its mandate, Pathstone offers a wide range of services to Niagara area children, youth and families―and almost all of them are free of charge. These services include everything from counselling, crisis intervention and family preservation to high risk, early years, school-based, residential and mobile intensive treatment.
Building For The Future Since May of 2008, Pathstone has been operating out of a modest unit on 3340 Schmon GROWING UP should be one of the happiest Parkway in Thorold. But in the past several times of our lives. years, the demand on their services has beUnfortunately, many of today’s kids and come harder and harder to manage. teenagers are dealing with troubling mental In order to better cope with growing waiting health issues like anxiety, depression and Atlists, Pathstone decided the best option was to tention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Conbuild a brand new facility―and launched a ditions that can leave them feeling lost, sick capital fundraising campaign called “Mending and unable to cope. Children’s Minds” in 2012. Pathstone spent a That’s where the experts at Pathstone Menyear looking for the right location before settal Health can help. tling on a 3.76-acre property on the corner of Pathstone is the leading provider of chilThird Street and Fourth Avenue in dren’s mental health services in St. Catharines―an ideal location Niagara, treating mental health isgiven its close proximity to the St. sues in young children, pre-teens, Mental health issues are more widespread Catharines Hospital. and adolescents up to the age of than people realize. One in five children has a Construction on the new build18. And the need has never been mental health problem―and it can often go ing began in October of 2015―and greater. This past year alone, the undetected and untreated.” Pathstone will be moving into the Pathstone team helped care for - Carrie Zeffiro, Pathstone’s director of philanthropy and public relations completed structure this April. The over 4,400 children and youth, new treatment facility will be called handling over 35,500 appointthe “Branscombe Mental Health ments and service calls. Pathstone has approximately 130 full and Centre” following a recent $1-million donation “Mental health issues are more widespread than people realize,” says Carrie Zeffiro, Path- part-time mental health professionals on staff by the Branscombe Family Foundation. This $10.29-million state-of-the-art censtone’s director of philanthropy and public including child and youth workers, social serrelations. “One in five children has a mental vice workers, early childhood educators, and tre will include specially-designed treatment health problem―and it can often go unde- various consulting psychologists, psychia- rooms for children, youth and families. The trists and pediatricians. 60,000 square foot facility will also feature a tected and untreated.” And with Pathstone’s help, many children community mental health library, and space Pathstone has been a part of the Niagara for their various programs. community since 1968 when the organization go on to lead happier, healthier lives. 20
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