Breaking Down Barriers: Enhancing Access to Mental Health Care

Breaking Down Barriers: How 1Call1Click.ca Partners, Including Crossroads, Enhance Access to Mental Health Care

Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre (CCMHC), an Ottawa-based mental health organization, is one of many 1Call1Click.ca partners collaborating to make pediatric mental health care simpler and quicker to navigate.

Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre works exclusively with children up to age 12 and their families/caregivers, providing a wide range of individualized mental health services and programs to support those facing emotional, behavioral, and social challenges.

“Crossroads is proud to help families and children with their everyday challenges. They want to see children succeed and they want to help improve your child's everyday life,” says Ashley Utronkie, Senior Child and Youth Worker at Crossroads.

“Many children, youth, families, and caregivers often express the same frustration: they don’t know where to turn for help. Finding the right information and choosing the right number to call can feel overwhelming, especially in moments of urgent need.”, says Ashley. “We want a way to connect local children, youth and families/caregivers to the right mental health, addictions, substance use health and neurodevelopmental health services at this right time.”

“Crossroads brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in children’s mental health” says Cynthia Dawson, Manager, 1Call1Click.ca. “Their dedication to breaking down barriers and making the system easier to navigate for families in need is at the heart of what we are here to do, and is what unites Kids Come First, 1Call1Click.ca and our many community partners.”

“Getting to know the other agencies and organizations in the community supporting children and families, getting to know what they do, and how they support each other has been very exciting for Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre,” says Ashley. “And getting to know the teams and work of other mental health organizations is just the start – by building these partnerships, we can work better together to build capacity to address growing child and youth mental health needs in the region.”

If you– or someone you know – is looking for mental health support from great organizations like Crossroads’, take the first step by visiting 1Call1Click.ca and call or click to get an appointment now.