News & Media
One Stop Talk Expands Access Across Ontario this Back-to-School Season
September 12, 2023 (Toronto, Ontario) One Stop Talk/Parlons maintenant (OST/PM) is a new virtual and confidential counselling service rolling out across the province. It provides children and youth (aged 0-17 years) with immediate, low barrier access to free mental health support when needed. When a child or youth connects with One Stop Talk/Parlons maintenant through www.onestoptalk.ca, or 1-855-416-8255, they will be connected to a professional clinician for a virtual or…
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario and East Toronto Health Partners celebrate grand opening of Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub
July 18, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – Today, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) and East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), the Ontario Health Team (OHT) serving East Toronto, celebrated the grand opening of the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub. The Youth Wellness Hub is a bright and welcoming 11,000-square-foot space that provides a variety of integrated walk-in services for youth aged 12 to 25, including mental health and substance use supports, employment and…
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario and East Toronto Health Partners launch virtual services at new Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub
March 13, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) and East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), the Ontario Health Team (OHT) serving East Toronto, have launched the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub. The hub is a new, welcoming space that will provide easily accessible walk-in services for youth and young adults aged 12 to 25 living in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park. These services are low-barrier and offer clear…
United Way Greater Toronto on pace to reach $110M campaign goal, makes bold five-year re-investment in community
February 22, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – At United Way Greater Toronto’s Local Leaders Celebration last night, CEO Daniele Zanotti alongside Community Campaign Chair Darryl White and hundreds of supporters announced that the organization will meet its $110 million goal. The generous support means that United Way Greater Toronto shared their bold plans for a $33 million re-investment in community. Sixty-five agencies delivering 208 programs across Peel, Toronto and York Region…
Ontario Expanding Mental Health Services for Children and Youth in Every Corner of the Province
The Ontario government is investing $4.75 million to expand the “One Stop Talk” virtual “walk-in” counselling program to connect children, youth and their families with more convenient and timely ways to access mental health counselling no matter where they live. “Our government is making it easier and more convenient for children and youth in every corner of the province to access mental health care,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister…
United Way Greater Toronto’s recent report highlights the role of collaboration in What’s Up Walk-In Clinic’s evolution
On November 2, United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT) published the case study ‘What’s Up Walk-In Clinics’ strengthened network model: Moving along the collaboration’. As part of UWGT’s research series on social service innovations during COVID-19, this report uncovers how What’s Up Walk-In Clinic and the agencies behind it worked together in a more collaborative and interdependent virtual model to meet the soaring demand for children and youth mental health services…
Storwell Self Storage Offers a $2,000 Annual Bursary to Help Foster Children Pursue Their Post-Secondary Education
According to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, right now there are approximately 63,000 Canadian children living in permanent care with foster families, extended family, or in group homes. Across the country, hundreds of thousands of children and youth have been identified as having experienced or being at risk of experiencing abuse and neglect. These children often experience difficulties gaining access to adequate education opportunities, especially when it comes to post-secondary education.…
Toronto Autism Services Network to Deliver Needs-Based Program
Today, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced changes to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) that will add caregiver-mediated early years programs as a service pathway in the OAP. In a collaboration called the Toronto Autism Services Network, Strides Toronto and six other autism service agencies will deliver the provincially funded caregiver-mediated early years programs in Toronto. The Toronto Autism Services Network will offer three caregiver-mediated early years programs to…
Ontario Announces Funding to Deliver Province-wide Virtual Walk-in Counselling
The Government of Ontario has announced $31 million in annualized funding to support the delivery of province-wide virtual walk-in mental health counselling for children, youth and families. For the past five months, Strides Toronto, the Lead Agency for Infant Child and Youth Mental Health in Toronto, and Windsor’s Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) have been moving forward with launching a province-wide model to deliver virtual counselling services to children, youth and…
Youth and Mental Health: The Shadow Pandemic
In this article in City Life, David Willis, Director of Strides Toronto’s activities as Toronto’s Lead Agency for Child and Youth Mental Health and System Transformation, discusses the impact the pandemic has had on youth mental health and, in particular, on racialized youth. Youth feel isolated and alone, without peer support or the usual engagement in fun activities. But there is help available for youth that is free, anonymous and non-judgmental.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: COVID-19 Service
If you are experiencing a health crisis, please go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911. The province of Ontario is now in Step 3 of its Roadmap to Reopen. Strides Toronto is gradually expanding our in-person services. Services are available in person, as well as online and by telephone. Clients can book appointments by contacting their service provider or calling 416-438-3697 ext 19055 . We continue to accept…
Foundational Autism Services Available at Strides Toronto
Strides Toronto applauds the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announcement on August 4th committing funding for foundational services addressing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a part of the new needs-based Ontario Autism Program (OAP) designed to provide families and caregivers a range of evidence-based services to support their children’s learning and development. Foundational Family Services will be individualized and responsive to families’ changing needs over time. Strides Toronto…
We Commit to Action on Anti-Black Racism
As leaders of Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health Agencies in the city of Toronto, we share our collective outrage and sadness at the violent incidents of anti-Black racism that have occurred in the last few weeks. These instances of Police brutality against members of the Black community have shaken our clients, families, communities and organizations. We acknowledge that these events are only the most recent manifestations of systemic anti-Black…
Helping kids and teens cope during COVID-19 pandemic
An interview with David Willis, Strides Toronto director, with the Global New morning show offering tips to help identify troubled kids and teens and support them through the pandemic.
Talking to your Anxious Child about COVID-19 – Tips for Parents and Caregivers
With the evolving news regarding COVID19, here is a helpful resource created by Children’s Mental Health Ontario when talking to your anxious child about COVID 19.