Our world has shifted dramatically over the last few weeks causing stress and anxiety for children, youth, young adults, families and women living with abuse. Yorktown has been providing mental health services to Toronto's communities for over 25 years and we must rapidly adapt to the increase in demand for services to ensure that those in need receive the support they require.

During this stressful time when anxiety is high, Yorktown is receiving calls from across Toronto for counselling. Yorktown serves 5,000 clients a year and the trajectory of the need for Yorktown’s mental health counselling services is on track to double. We need to increase our capacity to respond to the demand. In addition to on-going mental health support needs of children, youth, young adults, parents, and women living in abusive relationships, the Covid-19 pandemic has escalated mental health and social issues. The increase in issues include; parents coping with stress, children and youth demonstrating increased anxiety, trauma related to the crisis, an overall increase in domestic violence, significant social isolation resulting in an increase in depression and suicidal ideation, and a decreased in access to basic needs.

Under the current State of Emergency, people are unable to access traditional in-person mental health supports.

To maintain access to services for members of Toronto's communities, Yorktown has:

• Implemented digital technology, Social Media, and teleconferencing platforms to continue to provide one to one and group counselling programs.

• Counselling services with therapists are available by phone or online audio video session and can be scheduled by calling 416-669-3521.

• Translation services are available.

• Yorktown continues to communicate to the community through social media to provide education and information on resources and available supports to help clients stay healthy during this stressful time.

Yorktown is here to help; we are here for you, for your friends, and for your family, if you need us. Your donation is appreciated and with your help, we can enable women, children, youth and their families to bring positive change to their lives.