CORNWALL, Ontario – Cornwall has been named as one of two locations across the region where The Eastern Champlain Youth Wellness Hubs will operate.
The Hubs will target the needs of youth, ages 12 to 25, who need assistance with mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment training, housing and other community services.
“Our region’s demographics are unique, where we have higher incidents of intergenerational poverty, attempted suicide rates, and high school drop-out rates,” explained Christine Penney, Vice President of Community Programs at the Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH), in a press release. “The Youth Wellness Hub will be a great resource for youth who need it in our community.”
Last year, the province announced funding to establish 10 Youth Wellness Hubs. Hub leaders at CCH, Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott Russell, and Hawkesbury & District General Hospital are working with local families and youth to co-design the Hubs in the region.
The Eastern Champlain Youth Wellness Hub will receive $900,000 in project funding for three years.
“As a member of the youth community in this area, I am thrilled that we have received funding for a Youth Wellness Hub,” said Micaela Harley, Project Co-Lead and Youth Advisor, in a press release. “It is important to me, and the project team, that youth in the community have an opportunity to easily access a variety of services. Sometimes, not knowing where to turn can be the largest barrier to getting help.”
By the age of 16, 35 per cent of people will have experienced a mental disorder and 70 per cent of mental illnesses begin during adolescence, or earlier.
