Youth Services

Pinewood Centre's Youth Services are designed to support youth ages 12 to 18 who question or identify concerns related to alcohol, substance use, concurrent mental health concerns, and/or gambling. There are also services specific for youth who are impacted by a caregiver's substance use. Through group and individual support, youth are invited to reflect upon their present situation. This may include exploring substance use, risks, patterns of use, consequences, and concerns of use and mental health symptoms (e.g. depression and anxiety) as well as explore the possibility of making changes. 

Programs

The DAWN program is four sessions designed to help youth evaluate and explore the impacts of their use of substances on various aspects of their life. Topics include risk factors, cost and benefits, use in relation to values, beliefs, and personal goals. This program can be completed in a group setting or individually with the counsellor.

The Transitional Youth Program is a group for individuals between the ages of 18 to 24 who are interested in exploring the effects of their substance use, developing coping skills to manage substance use and mental health as well as participate in activities such as mindfulness meditation.

The Parents Group is an eight-session program which includes education and information as well as peer support and guidance. Topics include education regarding substance use and symptoms of mental health concerns; the process of dependence; adolescent development and how substance use interferes with development; natural and logical consequences; additional parenting techniques; and family dynamics.

The Youth Diversion Program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) and is a partnership with the Durham Region Police Service, John Howard Society, Eastview Boys and Girls Club, and Pinewood Centre. The objective is to divert youth from the justice system by referring the youth to the appropriate community based services to address underlying issues which place youth at risk of legal involvement. If the youth opts to attend services, they sign a treatment contract with the police and upon completion of the contract, no charges are laid. Pinewood Centre provides an assessment, individual therapy and/or the Dawn program as the substance use treatment component of the contract. Upon completion of the program, the police are notified and the contract is fulfilled. Youth may opt to conclude or continue with treatment services at that time.

The School Board Youth Outreach team offers enhanced addiction outreach services that include a core component in partnership with school boards to strengthen collaborations and improve pathways and access to care for addictions services onsite. In partnership with the school boards, outreach staff co-locate in identified schools to provide services on site, and provide screening, assessment, referral, case management, individual and group counselling to youth or someone they know with concerns around substance use, problem gambling/gaming/and technology use or concurrent disorders appropriate for Pinewood Centre services. In doing so, we assist youth in defining their own treatment goals (e.g. information, education, reduction or abstinence from substance use) and work towards these goals. This may include identification of triggers to substance use, urge management skills, refusal skills, new coping strategies, and addressing other issues that may be contributing to their current concern, and link students with services at Lakeridge Health/Pinewood Centre community locations. We also provide psycho-educational sessions/workshops for parents regarding substance use issues, deliver professional training, and provide consultation to students’ school-based support team (e.g. social work, guidance, administration, teachers).

All youth services are covered by OHIP and are confidential.

Contact - Central Connect

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