Spotlight on youth mental health organisations - Stella's Place
As part of our summer jobs experience, we were tasked with writing a series of blog posts spotlighting mental health organizations that are doing great work in the GTA to help youth facing mental health issues. This post I will be focusing on youth mental health organization named Stella's Place
Stella's Place is a young adult and youth mental health organization. It is designed by young adults, their families and professionals. They offer mental health services and programs for people between the age of 16 - 29 years old. Some things they offer are clinical, peer support, employment, recovery programs, wellness and being connected as well as empowered to manage their own health.
Drop-in Programs:
Walk in counselling
BeanBagChat: Online drop-in chat support
Finding My Path: Navigation, career exploration and life skills
Yoga
Fitness
Art in the Cafe
Studio
Registered Programs:
8 session psychotherapy
Skills for Safer Living : Suicidality Group
People Are Scary : Social Anxiety Group
Primary care
Psychiatry
Wellness Recovery Action Plan : Peer-led wellness group
In 2019 they noticed that they had an increase in resiliency, coping, self-advocacy, readiness for change and self-efficacy. They also had a decrease in misuse of substances, emergency department visits, in-patient days, distress, depression, suicidality.
Stella's place has left many participants satisfied, which is shown in their report showing that 84 % would refer to a friend or family member, 87% are satisfied with the services they have received, and 73% have learned skills that will help them manage their mental health.
During Covid Stella's place had to adapt quickly as their virtual visits increased by 76% and the number of unique individuals served increased by 109%. Thanks to donors they were able to hire more peer support workers. The young people they would speak with would talk about how they are facing loneliness, stress, sadness, losing their jobs due to the pandemic. In just 2020 alone they had over 800 online chats completed with each showing evidence of peer support and lasting on average 45 minutes.
They are currently working on a new 12,000 square foot facility that they plan to be ready to open up in the fall of 2021. This facility will be located at 54 Wolseley street. This was able to happen because of many donors pitching in. The facility was co-designed by their young people and is purpose-built for them. It will double their capacity and offer a wide range of services all under one roof.
I really enjoyed writing this blog and learning more about this great youth mental health organization. I highly suggest learning more and giving attention to this company on their website. Next blog I will be talking about Skylark Youth.
