Pathstone Mental Health gets boost from Welland Professional Fire Fighters Association

Niagara was in a mental health crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic, says Kim Rossi, director of philanthropy and public relations for Pathstone Mental Health.

“Before, we cared for 7,000 children and in the first year of the pandemic it jumped to 9,500 and now we are just over 10,000. There are 600 children on the waiting list (to receive help from mental health services).”

She said the pandemic put a huge spotlight on mental health in Niagara.

Operating out of the Branscombe Mental Health Center in St. Catharines, Pathstone provides individual counseling, group clinics and walk-in support for mental health services for children ages 18 and under throughout Niagara.

“Self-harm and eating disorders are quite high. Suicidal ideation is very close,” she said.

Suicidal ideation is a term used to describe a variety of contemplations, wishes, and concerns regarding death and suicide.

With a growing number of children in South Niagara (at least 4,000 of 10,000) needing help, the organization purchased the 10-bed Serenity Place from Women’s Place at 102 River Rd. to serve Welland, Port Colborne, Wainfleet and Fort Erie.

Rossi said the Rose City location, River House, was chosen because it is an “ideal location” and will allow more South Niagara residents to get help. Although smaller in scale than the Branscombe location, the scope of work is the same.

“It can be cumbersome for families caring for a child with mental health issues to get to St. Catharines, especially with anywhere from six to 50 sessions for some.

“This will allow more families to start and finish programs.”

The new site is expected to be open by the end of the year, with renovations underway and a $750,000 capital fundraising campaign underway.

“We need the community to be as supportive as we have been to get here in the first place. So far, from the purchase of the building to all the funds raised, the only support for River House is the community,” Rossi said, adding that so far there is no support from the government.

One of the many groups stepping up to help Pathstone reach its fundraising goal and open is Welland Professional Firefighters Association Local 481.

The association recently donated $1,000 to Pathstone.

“We are always looking for ways to get involved in the community. We supported Women’s Place, and when we found out that Pathstone was taking over (the River Road location), we decided to donate to them,” said association president and firefighter Mark Biggins.

Biggins said children’s mental health is a big issue in Niagara, and it was an easy decision to help the agency in any way firefighters could.

The donated funds came from various events held throughout the year, including a boot drive and car wash.

“When we are at work, our job is to protect the community. When we are off duty, our job as we see it is to support the community. And one of the ways that we do that is to raise money for different organizations and groups,” said Biggins.

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