On March 1, 2017, LHSC unveiled a donor-supported pilot project aimed at improving the system of mental health and addictions care for transition age youth (16-25 years). Cornerstone Counselling, as the service is known, is delivered at Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association- Middlesex, Addiction Services of Thames Valley and mindyourmind.

The self-referral program provides access to a team of health professionals including a peer support worker, social worker, addiction counselor and psychiatrist to youth transitioning out of the adolescent mental health program, or who are seeking support for the first time.

“Youth told us they wanted a service that was after hours, non-crisis and youth centered. They told us they wanted peer-support. They told us they wanted better integration of hospital and community services,” said Dr. Javeed Sukhera, LHSC Physician Lead, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. “We engaged and listened authentically to the voices of our community partners and most importantly, to youth themselves.”

The project is generously funded through London Health Sciences Foundation by the London Community Foundation, the LHSC Auxiliary, as well as Great West Life, London Life and Canada Life.

"Our model is a unique innovation that will inform the mental health services of the future. Through continuous evaluation and input, we hope to refine our model into an example for other areas in the province, country and globe.”

– Dr. Javeed Sukhera, LHSC Physician Lead, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

A Patient's Experience

Cornerstone Counselling is an amazing project. Without this available resource, I would not have been able to successfully complete my second year of university.

At the beginning of my second year I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder tendencies. My doctor recommended this service along with medication, which was convenient in both time and location. It was always very easy to make an appointment that suited my availability as a full time student, not to mention it was free of charge. I felt supported and understood by my social worker, who effectively discussed my concerns and goals of treatment and quickly developed a support plan to suit my needs. We used meditation, focused on improving my negative thought process using cognitive-behavioural therapy, and developed strategies for dealing with panic attacks, thought processes and more. I was given resources including work sheets to bring home which were very effective; focusing on experimenting with my behaviour and the outcomes of such, as well as keeping thought records and dissecting my unhelpful thinking styles. 

Through persistent trial and error, I was able to develop effective strategies to manage my anxiety and build on my confidence and initiative. I always felt supported, understood and capable of working towards my goals. It was an amazing feeling to have someone to confide in that would listen without judgment and who was able to help me work through my daily struggles. I hope that other students and youth struggling will be able to have the opportunities that I did with Cornerstone Counselling. I will continue to access these resources throughout my university career and am very thankful for my experience with Cornerstone Counselling.

Sincerely,
A grateful patient