The Youth Matrix is a collection of resources and supports available to young people up to age 30 in Windsor-Essex.
Mental Health Services (below) within the Youth Matrix provide vital support, counselling, and resources to address the mental well-being of young individuals, promoting emotional resilience, offering coping strategies, and fostering a safe space for open discussions about mental health challenges.
Mental Health Services
Service Canada – Wellness Together Canada/PocketWall
Location: All over Canada, Virtual
Contact: https://ca.portal.gs/
Description: The Canadian government offers an online portal called PocketWell that provides tools and resources to support Canadians in addressing various mental and physical well-being concerns, such as low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation, and relationship issues. Additionally, they have launched a free companion app to the portal that allows users to access online mental health and substance use resources, measure, and track aspects of their mental well-being, and receive immediate support.
Links: https://ca.portal.gs/
New Beginnings – (RIPP) Risk Intervention & Prevention Program
Location: 1015 Highland Ave Windsor Ontario N9A 1R6
Contact: Colleen Higgins
519-563-8224
Description: The Mobile Program targets youth aged 12-20 who exhibit various risk factors, including involvement in conflict with the law, potential for reoffending, higher risk of criminal violence, residing in high-needs communities, and facing multiple challenges such as substance abuse, mental health issues, familial issues, housing instability, unemployment, poverty, and education difficulties.
Links: https://www.newbeginningswindsor.com/programs/clinical-programs
New Beginnings – (NRAC) Non-Residential Attendance Centre
Location: 1015 Highland Ave Windsor Ontario N9A 1R6
Contact: Kristin Durham
(519) 971 – 0973 Ext. 122
Description: For youth aged 12-17 who have encountered legal issues, there is a non-custodial sentencing option available as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Referrals for mental health counseling can be made through the WECDSB (Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board).
Links: https://www.newbeginningswindsor.com/programs/non-residential-attendance-centre
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Essex County Diversion Program Overview – REBOUND Life Choices Program
Location: 1168 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi
519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 Oo emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Description: Rebound offers a 10-week social skills group for at-risk youth aged 12-17, providing interactive sessions to address challenges with school, parent/teen interactions, and potential legal issues. Through the Life Choices program, participants develop positive attitudes, problem-solving skills, self-awareness, and responsibility, covering various topics such as communication, decision making, teamwork, anger management, and drug awareness. Sessions are available in January, April, and September.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Rebound-Life-Choices.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Referral-Form.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Youth Diversion Program – M.E.S.S.A.G.E & R.E.S.P.E.C.T Program
Location: 1168 Drouillard, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi at 519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 or emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Description: M.E.S.S.A.G.E is a program for at-risk girls aged 12-17, focusing on motivational education and sexting seminars. R.E.S.P.E.C.T is a program for males of the same age range, promoting ethical conduct and providing relationship education on sexting.
The M.E.S.S.A.G.E and R.E.S.P.E.C.T programs aim to combat the risks of “sexting” among youth and raise awareness about its serious consequences. These innovative programs focus on reducing the incidence of “sexting,” educating the public, addressing issues like self-exploitation, bullying, and the potential legal and personal consequences associated with this behavior.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Program-Overview.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Referral-Form.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association – Youth Diversion Program – Beyond Bullying
Location: 1168 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi at 519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 Or emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Description: This evidence-based bullying program aims to educate teenagers about the risks associated with bullying, as it has been found to be linked to various forms of anti-social behavior. The program seeks to raise awareness about the consequences of bullying, including legal repercussions and the negative impact on all parties involved. By training youth in alternative conflict resolution methods and educating them about bullying, bias-based offenses, and hate crimes, the program aims to reduce the likelihood of repeated bullying behaviour.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Beyond-Bullying.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Program-Overview.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Referral-Form.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association – Youth Diversion Program – Teen Intervene (Prevention/Early Intervention Substance Abuse Program)
Location: 1168 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi at 519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 or emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Description: Teen-Intervene is a brief intervention program that assists youth in understanding their reasons for using alcohol or drugs, exploring the impacts of substance abuse, and developing healthier choices. The program typically consists of 2-3 sessions, with the first two being individual sessions with the teens and an optional third session involving parents for educational purposes.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Teen-Intervene.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Program-Overview.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Referral-Form.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Youth Diversion Program – Substance Abuse Program
Location: 1168 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi at 519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 or emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Description: The substance abuse program consists of 12 individual sessions, focusing on cognitive-behavioral treatment for coping skills, relapse prevention, and risk management. The goal is harm reduction, covering topics such as vulnerability, consequences, motivation for change, emotion management, relapse prevention, resilience, coping skills, relationships, boundaries, and support networks. Additional sessions can be added as needed.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Program-Overview.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Substance-Abuse-Program.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Referral-Form.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Youth Diversion Program – L.O.S.S (Lessons on Offender Accountability Shoplifting and Stealing)
Location: 1168 Drouillard, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi at 519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 or emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Description: L.O.S.S is a single educational session that focuses on educating young people about the consequences of shoplifting. Through interactive discussions and video presentations, participants learn about the impact of shoplifting on themselves, their families, the victims, and the community. The goal is to deter youth from engaging in shoplifting behaviors in the future.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-LOSS-Program.pdf
https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Referral-Form.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Youth Diversion Program – Youth Justice Committee Forums
Location: 1168 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Contact: Direct inquiries to Jessica Busi at 519-253-3340 or at jbusi@essexcountydiversion.com
Referral forms can be faxed to 519-253-6476 or emailed to youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com
Joanna Conrad (Executive Director)
519-253-3340 ext. 225
Email: executivedirector@essexcountydiversion.com
Submit referrals to the attention of the Youth Outreach Program Coordinator via fax at 519-253-6476
Description: The Youth Justice Committee Forum is a one-time mediation session involving trained staff, the victim, the victimizer, and, if desired, their parents. Its purpose is to repair harm, address the reasons for hurtful actions, and hold the victimizer accountable. The forum gives the victim a voice, provides closure, and aims to reduce future negative behavior. Topics such as teen bullying can be discussed in this safe and controlled setting.
Links: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Youth-Diversion-Brochure.pdf
Youth Diversion Program – #Keepyourprivatesprivate
Location: 1015 Highland Avenue, Windsor ON N9A 1R6
Contact: 519- 253-3340 to have a referral completed over the phone
Email referral form at youthoutreach@essexcountydiversion.com or fax at 519-253-6476
Description: The #KYPP program offers a series of programs that explore various topics related to online safety and healthy relationships. These topics include cyberbullying, consent, respect for self and others, internet crimes, digital footprint, pornography, healthy relationships, self-esteem, online privacy, and more. The program is tailored to the age and gender-specific interests of youth, addressing the risks they may face online and providing proactive strategies to make their online experiences safer. The #KYPP program series is divided into seven separate programs, catering to primary males (ages 6-10), junior males (ages 10-12), males (ages 12 and up), primary females (ages 6-10), junior females (ages 10-12), females (ages 12 and up), and an adapted program for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
Links: https://ecyouthdiversion.ca/programs/messagerespect-programs/
https://ecyouthdiversion.ca/educators-justice-partners/referral-process/
WE Connect Kids
Location: HDGH Regional Children’s Centre (The George Albert Huot Building)
3901 Connaught St., Windsor, Ontario N9C 4H4
(HDGH’s RCC serves our community by acting as the “front door” for child and youth mental health services. Through WEConnectKids, individuals will receive the most appropriate service based on their needs.
Mon-Thurs 8am-6:30pm (last appointment time)
Friday 8am-3:00pm (last appointment time)
Contact: 519-257-KIDS (5437)
Description: WEConnectKids is a free and confidential mental health service in Windsor-Essex, serving children, youth, and families. It is a partnership among the core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in the region. Whether you’re unsure about the type or location of mental health services you need, WEConnectKids is the starting point to access the appropriate support.
Links: https://www.hdgh.org/CYMHCoordinatedAccess
Canadian Mental Health Association – Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare – Regional Children’s Centre
Location: 3901 Connaught Street Windsor, Ontario N9C 4H4
Contact: 519- 257- 5215
Description: We provide services for children and youth aged 6-18, including crisis support for those aged 0-15. Our focus areas include mental health, developmental disabilities, and youth justice, catering to individuals facing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges in different settings, as well as those involved with the justice system or with developmental disabilities, including autism.
Youth Wellness Hubs – Primary Care
Location: 3640 Wells Street Windsor ON N9C 1T9
Contact: Michelle Rocheleau (Operations Manager)
Description: Nurses provide confidential one-on-one sessions to address youth’s sexual health, physical health, and mental health needs. Trained professionals are available to discuss any questions or concerns in a supportive environment.
Links: https://youthhubyqg.com/programs/
Windsor Essex Community Health Centre – The Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY)
Location: Teen Health: 1361 Ouellette Avenue, Unit 101, Windsor, ON N8X 1J6
Contact: Teen Health Site, Marlow Downey, SAPACCY Caseworker – 519-253-8481 ext. 290
Description: SAPACCY is a community-based program specifically designed for African, Caribbean, and/or Black youth (ages 12-29) and their families. It aims to promote improved mental wellness by providing holistic, anti-oppressive, Africentric, and culturally safe mental health and substance use services. The program recognizes the unique challenges faced by Black youth and their families, such as anti-black racism, criminalization, poverty, and other forms of discrimination. SAPACCY’s clinical teams approach their work with a focus on Africentric values, youth empowerment, non-judgment, anti-oppression, anti-racism, harm reduction, intersectionality, feminism, and strength-based approaches. They provide support to youth of African descent and their families/caregivers, helping them address mental health and substance use concerns and work towards recovery.
For more Youth Matrix resources and services, CLICK HERE to return to the main Youth Matrix page.