Mental health services for Sarnia-Lambton's youth are expanding thanks to an $87,768 investment from the provincial government.
St. Clair Child and Youth Services said the money will help address waitlists in its longer-term counselling stream.
Right now, the wait for treatment is anywhere from four to six months.
Director of Operations Craig McKenzie said they'll also be implementing new and innovative programming. The focus is on kids who can't attend school.
"We're looking to develop a day treatment program which is a program that is much needed in our community," said McKenzie. "The past number of years we've identified it as a need, working with our partners in education and other service providers knowing that we need to have our service in more intensive stream of services."
The funding is part of the Ford government's $174 million investment in mental health services.
Bluewater Health is getting $330,000 for opioids addictions treatment, and $315,000 for youth residential treatment and withdrawal management.
Mental Health & Addictions Vice President Paula Reaume-Zimmer said it secures the services they're offering.
"That's very reassuring to our team who has been operating the interim model on one-time funding," said Reaume-Zimmer. "So now this is a really good indication of the ministry's support for the residential services and providing base funding which means it's more secured for our program."
Reaume-Zimmer says the funding also demonstrates the government's commitment to support longstanding plans for a withdrawal management facility in the community. A pair of inpatient mental health beds will also be installed in Sarnia.
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey is pleased.
"Every family, every individual whether they're young or old have experiences with mental health," said Bailey. "That's one commitment that we made during the campaign, to re-invest in mental health services for youth, seniors and middle-aged people."
"This is new money, it's money that will be there next year and the year after," he said. "It's only the first of what I hope will be many positive announcements for Sarnia-Lambton, both in healthcare and mental health."