Free summer counselling program offers support for youth before problems become crises

By Galen Simmons

Summer break can be a welcome change of pace for school-aged children, but the end of the school year also means many lose easy access to the teachers, guidance counsellors and support staff they rely on throughout the year.

That's why the Interfaith Counselling Centre (ICC) in New Hamburg is once again offering free, drop-in counselling for children and teens every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Sept. 4, providing barrier-free mental-health support throughout the summer. Counselling is available in person, by telephone or by video call.

The program, now in its second summer, is supported through funding from the Waterloo Region District School Board, along with community donations. ICC child and youth program manager Cathi Watson said the idea grew out of conversations with school-board staff, who recognized students lose access to many school-based mental-health supports during the summer months.

"We're aware that within the school system, they do have teachers or guidance counsellors, social workers (and) child and youth workers that they can talk to," Watson said. "During the summer, they don't have easy access to that."

While the ICC provides counselling year-round, Watson said the drop-in format offers immediate support without the wait that often comes with booking regular counselling appointments.

The service is designed to remove as many barriers as possible by offering flexible appointment options, free counselling and times that better fit teenagers' summer schedules.

"Anxiety and depression do not take a holiday for school holidays," Watson said. "Having something a little less formal that they could just do a walk-in or drop in and know that there's somebody to talk to, we felt was really important."

Watson said one of the biggest misconceptions about counselling is that people should only seek help during a major mental-health crisis.

"You don't have to have some major crisis," she said. "You don't need to be suicidal, you don't need to have had your parent die. Obviously, those things, for sure, we are here and available. But that's when people think you should reach out for help.

"It can just be talking to someone if they're having a hard time with friend relationships, they're feeling kind of down through the summer, they've had a breakup, problems at home or they're just struggling with being a teenager."

The program is open to school-aged children and teens. Youth under 12 require parental permission, while those older than 12 may be able to access counselling independently in certain situations. Watson said the centre always prefers to involve families when appropriate but recognizes that isn't always possible.

Beyond providing immediate support, Watson hopes the program helps normalize counselling and reduce the stigma around seeking help.

She said introducing young people to counselling in a welcoming, non-threatening environment can make them more comfortable reaching out in the future.

"Sometimes it's just coming in for a walk-in session and they kind of go, 'Okay, so this is what it's about,' " Watson said, recalling one young client who admitted she expected a counsellor's office to resemble a doctor's examination room.

Instead, the youth found a comfortable space where talking openly felt natural.

Watson said counselling should be viewed much like any other aspect of health care.

"It doesn't have to be a major crisis," she said. "It can actually just be part of a little check-in; somebody to talk to and get a different perspective."

Students and families interested in learning more about the summer counselling program can contact the Interfaith Counselling Centre by calling 519-662-3092 or emailing admin@interfaithcounselling.ca. If Watson is unavailable on a given Friday, another ICC child and youth counsellor will be available to ensure no one seeking support is turned away.

For more information on ICC programs and services, visit www.interfaithcounselling.ca.