City council noting the need, considering increased homelessness
An endorsement from the City of Niagara Falls for Pathstone Mental Health to set up a location at Chippawa Willoughby Community Centre.
Marla Smith is with Pathstone, and told city council 15-years ago 300 children needed help annually, now it's over 1,300.
She adds they need more than the St. Catharines office. "And because of that we are seeing a 17% decline in cancellation and no show rates from residents in the Niagara Falls community, and what that really means, is that those individuals don't have access to care. One, we know there are barriers to transportation."
A number of councilors applauded the idea, noting the increase of homelessness.
She noted the importance of another location. "And there's something else that is very important.... it normalizes mental health. A child doesn't have to feel like they're being sent to a separate building, or stigmatized, because they need help. It becomes part of the same conversation as physical health."
She says this won't cost taxpayers anything, Pathstone does it's own fundraising.
The city will review the arrangement with Pathstone at a later date.
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