(EDITORS NOTE: This story discusses suicide. See the bottom of this story for phone numbers to mental health resources.)
Thorold's only walk-in for mental health support had a rocky start after it had to close down right after city funding made it possible for the Pathstone Clinic to open its doors at the library - all while they saw a steady stream of clients coming.
Now, the team offering mental health services to children, youth, and families in Niagara is patiently awaiting the next easing of restrictions to be able to open back up for in-person appointments at its newest location.
Currently, Pathstones' only open walk-in is at the Branscombe Centre in St Catharines.
"If there was any stigma around mental health that remained in some people before the pandemic, I think that is pretty much gone now because we can all relate after we were put in the same pool this year. If your mental health wasn't affected by COVID-19 in some way, I actually don't know how that's possible," said Kim Rossi, director of philanthropy and PR at the Pathstone Foundation.
She says the past year has revolved a lot around remotely helping students of all ages cope with the new reality of missing out on in-person connections, growing together with their peers, and the constant threat of illness in the family due to COVID-19.
Initially, said Rossi, many young learners were swept up in the anxiety of the new reality, and demand for phone- and video counseling skyrocketed as many other services in the region had to seize due to the pandemic.
Then, as time progressed, depression set in as the loss of social life and a seemingly never-ending spiral of at-home assignments with minimal feedback took its toll on their mental health, with many young people expressing thoughts of suicide.
A worrying trend, Rossi said, that would cause many parents to panic - but not an experienced crisis worker.
"It is very troubling, but in the same regard, they did the right thing in calling and talking to somebody. As soon as they were calling us, we knew that we would be able to help them. Our crisis and support team at the end of the line are like rockstars. They are the calmest people. Nothing shocks them. and if someone says they are thinking of ending their life and being in a complete panic, they are as calm as anything."
A lot of the help revolved around bringing the focus back to the present, trying to silence the thoughts many were expressing; that isolation and the pandemic was how life would be looking from now on.
"Then, the kids feel safe talking to them, because they haven't shocked them. They are putting words to their feeling and plans, while we are able to talk to them about the alternative."
Many parents also came to Pathstone for support, after being stuck in the house with uncertain prospects for their livelihood or health, as the pandemic continued to sweep the region.
Rossi said that once the province gives the announcement for Niagara to move into the Red Zone, the Thorold clinic could open again after roughly one week.
If you are a child, youth, or family member in need of immediate crisis help, call Pathstone Crisis Services at 1-800-263-4944
For more information on how to book appointments with Pathstone, follow this link.
Adults in crisis can call the 24-hour NRPS COAST-team (Crisis, outreach and support) at 1-866-550-5205
