New Youth Wellness Hub Now Open in Sarnia

Ontario is making it faster and easier for youth in Sarnia-Lambton to access mental health services closer to home

The Voice of Canada : The Ontario government is celebrating the opening of a new Youth Wellness Hub in Sarnia, making it faster and easier for young people in and around Lambton County to connect to mental health, substance use and primary care closer to home.

“Our government is connecting youth and their families to mental health and addictions services in communities in every corner of the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we continue to significantly expand the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario, young people in Sarnia-Lambton will now have more convenient access to the mental health, addictions and primary care services they need, in one centralized location, close to home.”

The Sarnia-Lambton Youth Wellness Hub is one of the eight new hubs the government is adding to the 14 already operating and connecting youth to mental health services across the province. These hubs will help fill the gap in youth addictions services in the region by providing children and youth aged 12 to 25 with a safe, welcoming space to access the mental health services they need at the right time, in the right place.

In Sarnia, youth and their families can visit the youth wellness hub to connect to convenient and free mental health, substance use and primary care services through rapid walk-in services, booked appointments and virtual services. The hub also provides a range of other services and supports including education, employment, training, housing and other community and social services.

“Expanding our network of Youth Wellness Hubs is another step our government is taking to ensure people living in Ontario of all ages have convenient access to the highest-quality mental health and addictions supports, when and where they need them,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “We will continue to invest in mental health and addictions care as part of the ongoing rollout of the Roadmap to Wellness, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to fix the long-standing issues facing the sector once and for all.”

With Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is expanding the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province. Through the Addictions Recovery Fund, the government is adding eight new Youth Wellness Hubs to the 14 that were created since 2020, bringing the total to 22 across the province.

Quick Facts

• The eight new Youth Wellness Hubs are in Algoma Region, Kingston, London-Middlesex, Sagamok Anishnabek First Nation, Sarnia-Lambton, Sudbury, Toronto Thorncliffe Park and West Toronto. A full list of locations can be found here.
• Ontario’s mental health and addictions strategy, Roadmap to Wellness, launched in March 2020 and is connecting Ontarians to high quality mental health and addictions treatment and support, where and when they need it.
• In Budget 2023, Ontario is building on its historic $3.8 billion investment by providing an additional $425 million over three years.
• Since 2019-20, the government has flowed $525 million in new base funding for mental health and addictions services and supports. This funding is supporting a range of services, including child and youth mental health, community-based addictions services, supportive housing, mental health and justice, and Indigenous mental health and addictions.

Quotes
“Good mental health is critically-important for success in the classroom and in life, which is why our government is investing a record $114 million in student mental health supports in schools for the 2023-24 academic year, and introducing mandatory learning on mental health issues for students and staff in Grades 7 and 8. Expanding the network of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province, which includes launching a new Hub in Sarnia, is an essential step in ensuring that all Ontarians are able to access the mental health and addiction supports they need in their communities.”-The Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education

“No matter where you live, we all know someone impacted by mental health and addiction. The opening of the Sarnia-Lambton Youth Wellness Hub is terrific news for our young people in and around Lambton County, giving them access to mental health and addiction supports when they need them most.”-Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

“The need for youth wellness facilities in our community has never been greater. With the opening of the Sarnia-Lambton Youth Wellness Hub, young people from across Lambton County will now be able to access a myriad of valuable services in one convenient location. This investment in the youth of our community could not have come at a better time and will help to ensure that young people have the help and resources they need in these very challenging times.”- Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton

“I am thrilled to welcome Sarnia-Lambton into the Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario network and am grateful to the Ontario government and the collaborative community partnerships that made the development of this hub possible. This critical investment to provide young people with an inclusive, welcoming space where they can walk in and access a full range of services will help meet the needs of youth throughout Sarnia-Lambton and beyond.”-Dr. Jo Henderson
Executive Director, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

“The new YWHO Sarnia-Lambton site is a shining testament to the power of collaboration among partner organizations, and of the visionary leadership of our incredible youth advisors. Together, we have co-designed a space that embodies the spirit of inclusivity, empathy, support and hope; ensuring a nurturing environment where young people can thrive. This achievement showcases the transformative potential when diverse voices unite for a common cause.”- Paula Reaume-Zimmer, President & CEO, Bluewater Health

“The opening of the YWHO Sarnia-Lambton location represents a significant milestone in the quest to normalize youth mental health care and reduce barriers that often impede access to vital services. By offering a welcoming environment where youth can freely seek support, YWHO Sarnia Lambton strives to decrease frustration and improve overall mental health outcomes for our local youth and their families.”– Rhonny Doxtator, Acting CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Lambton Kent

“After years of hard work and planning, we are proud to open our doors to youth in our community. Youth have long faced systemic challenges to accessing services, and YWHO Sarnia-Lambton offers a centralized space to provide comprehensive care and support. Youth will have the opportunity to step through the doors, empowered to prioritize their mental health and embark on a path to resilience and wellbeing.”– Craig McKenzie, Interim Executive Director, St. Clair Child & Youth Services