(© Can Stock Photo / robwilson39)(© Can Stock Photo / robwilson39)
Windsor

Free local mental health programs expanding

Growing demand for more mental health counselling services in Windsor-Essex has led to a change.

Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE) said it is expanding its free Walk-In Wellness clinics to five days a week in the city and in the county.

FSWE added people are looking for someone to speak to about very common concerns like depression, anxiety, stress, sadness, relationship issues, etc., but don't know where to go for support, find services that are unaffordable to them, or face long waiting lists for help.

Manager Beth Anne Ternovan said people usually attend the wellness programs to build self-esteem.

"They're learning about boundaries and communication in relationships. We were seeing that people were struggling in their relationship," said Ternovan.

Ternovan said anxiety, depression, and anger are big issues.

"We like to remove boundaries here, we like to remove barriers for people so it is not a struggle for them to come," she added.

Ternovan believes more people are coming forward with their issues because they feel less shame about getting help.

"We feel that people are coming forward more frequently and more readily now to get help even for an issue such as anger," Ternovan said.

FSWE offers compassionate and non-judgmental support for all individuals, their partners, couples, family members, including children and youth, and caregivers as people work through concerns and develop new coping skills to build hope and self-resiliency.

Click here for more information.

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