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If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have struggled as much as I did with anxiety. When I was a teenager, I wish I knew there was such a thing as mental health facilities. In fact, it may have even saved my brother from such severe depression.
If only I knew then what I know now, which is why I am writing this article about Lutherwood in Waterloo. Now, just because you aren’t in the Kitchener Waterloo region doesn’t mean you should skip over this article. There are mental health facilities across Canada; you just have to know about them.
The be completely honest, I always knew the Lutherwood building when I drove past it but I didn’t know what it was. Problem #1.
There is professional help available
As many of you know, I recently participated in Steps For Kids. Shockingly, it wasn’t until I received the pamphlet for this mental health fundraiser that I discovered what Lutherwood was. More importantly, it wasn’t until then that I realized there is professional help available for those dealing with mental illness.
So, I’ve made it my mission to change that to ensure young children, teens, and adults don’t have to suffer in silence like I did.
Lutherwood is the specific facility I raised funds for. Although it’s specifically for youth struggling with mental health, not all mental health facilities are limited to age. So, don’t let this deter you.
What are mental health facilities?
Before you read any further, allow me to clarify one thing – mental health facilities are not “psych wards”. Instead, mental health facilities are services that help people overcome the challenges of coping with mental health.
Some facilities, such as Lutherwood, do provide residential treatment for those who are in need of a safe place to go while they learn how to cope. However, just because a facility is ‘residential’ doesn’t mean you’re in a ‘psych ward’.
What are mental health facilities like?
Mental health facilities are like a little community of people who know what you’re going through and who can help you. Lutherwood offers assessment services, community and school-based interventions, family crisis and prevention counselling, and they operate a youth shelter.
There are mental health facilities that offer day treatment and outpatient services as well. So, you don’t have to stay there but you still receive the help you need.
What happens if you get admitted into mental health facilities?
No one wants to be “locked up” in a mental health facility. So, it’s important to change your mindset right away. You aren’t being locked up in any way, shape or form.
Mental health facilities are like counseling readily being available to you whenever you need. There’s always someone there to help you and guide you on the correct path.
The last thing people want to do is get admitted into a mental health facility. However, it’s important to remember that being admitted may be the only way to get you the help you need. It doesn’t mean you’re crazy or incompetent; weird, different, odd or really, anything. You have a disease. Just like cancer patients get admitted into the hospital for treatment, being in a mental health facility is nothing more than being admitted for treatment.
Mental health facilities for depression and anxiety in Canada
Since you likely had no idea mental health facilities for depression and anxiety even existed, I’ve put together this list of options available across Canada. If you’re in the United States, there are mental health facilities available there.
Alberta Mental Health Facilities
- Edgewood Health Calgary
- Alberta Health Services Peace River
- CASA Edmonton
British Columbia Mental Health Facilities
- Changeways Clinics Vancouver
- North Shore Stress & Anxiety Clinic Vancouver
- Edgewood Health Victoria
- Edgewood Health Nanaimo
Manitoba Mental Health Facilities
- My Right Care Winnipeg
- Birch Wellness Centre Winnipeg
- MATC Winnipeg
New Brunswick Mental Health Facilities
- Vitale Campbellton
Nova Scotia Mental Health Facilities
- Cornerstone Services Halifax
- CAST Dartmouth
Ontario Mental Health Facilities
- Lutherwood Children’s Mental Health Facilities Waterloo
- Homewood Health Guelph
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic Hamilton
- Royal Ottawa Anxiety Disorders Program Ottawa
- Edgewood Health Bellwood
- Ottawa Anxiety & Trauma Clinic Ottawa
- Ontario Shores Whitby
- Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic of York Region Richmond Hill
- LOFT Toronto
- Centre for Addition and Mental Health Toronto
- Sunnybrook Youth Anxiety Clinic Toronto
Quebec Mental Health Facilities
- Edgewood Health Montreal
- PsyMontreal Montreal
Saskatchewan Mental Health Facilities
- Suncounty Health Saskatchewan
It’s important to know that although every province isn’t covered in my list, nor is every facility mentioned, there are various options available across Canada. You just have to conduct a little bit of research.
So, don’t think that you have to continue living this way. You are able to heal from anxiety and depression, and you can live a full, happy, successful life. The secret is to find the resources available to you – and yes, they do exist.
