‘There’s no wrong door,’ Camino Wellbeing plans to never leave anyone behind as they look to grow their network for mental health supports in Cambridge
Camino Wellbeing’s Cambridge office is responding to increased demand as more Cambridge youth seek mental health services than ever before.
“We are here for the community, especially the youth and are working to provide services where they are and in their own neighbourhoods,” said Camino CEO Tracy Elop.
With reports like the Youth Impact Survey and the Waterloo Region District School Board’s Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Survey showing that wellbeing among Cambridge youth is at an all-time low, Elop thinks the time to act is now.
“These surveys are reporting a high level of need from youth and I can say we are seeing lots of youth coming in for counselling. We have a whole group that is designated for youth engagement and helping them be the best they can be.”
Released earlier this month, the Children and Youth Planning Table’s 2024 Youth Impact Survey revealed only 55 per cent of local youth describe their mental health as positive while 45 per cent said they had access to mental health support.
The public school board’s survey paints a similar picture where the majority of students regardless of age have noted their wellbeing is low.
Camino is looking to expand their services in Cambridge to better serve the youth population and make it easier for children and adults to get the help they need.
Camino Wellbeing was formed last year through the amalgamation of several mental health and social service organizations.
KW Counselling, Carizon and Monica’s Place all pooled their expertise together to take on increased demand for mental health supports.
The provincial government awarded the organization $148,500 in grants back in 2022 and they haven’t looked back.
“This grant has allowed us to create a unified team,” said Elop. “We’ve noticed the rise in people accessing services and we needed to come together to better serve everyone.”
Now with over 60 different mental health programs and services, Camino has been able to serve 15,119 individuals over the last year and increase response times by 68 per cent.
They offer counselling services, gender-based violence support, groups and workshops, refugee and newcomer mental health programs, parental programs, children and youth programming, and supports for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
As a part of its network, Monica’s Place expanded to 150 Ainslie St. to offer wrap-around service that would house young and pregnant women as well as their children.
They provide shelter while the mother seeks transitional housing and support. They also offer trauma-informed mental health services.
Monica’s Place now serves as Camino’s Cambridge office as the team takes calls and directs them to their wide array of services under the Camino umbrella. They also support walk-in services at their locations.
“We really wouldn’t be able to do this without funding from places like the Trillium Fund or our donors,” said Elop. “Our mission is to never turn anyone away. It doesn’t matter if you have money or not, we will help you.”
Camino works in tandem with Langs, Porchlight and Lutherwood to provide services in Cambridge and continues to grow and spread their team out to service those in need of help, Elop said.
This expansion has allowed Camino to understand its clients and serve their needs in ways they might not even know themselves.
“When someone contacts Camino, there’s no wrong door,” added Elop.
“You don’t have to call us and know what you need, all you need to do is call us because you’re struggling. The person who responds to you, it’s their job to understand what’s going on and how to connect you to the services that will be the most valuable for you.”
Camino relies on grants, federal funding and donations to continue to help Cambridge residents.
“This is so important to us, because it allows us to keep doing our work and get to those in need,” said Elop.
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