Ottawa’s Voice for Children’s Mental Health
Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre is Ottawa’s community leader in mental health services for children under the age of 12. Crossroads speaks up with and for parents and children grappling with mental health in the community. Our team is always willing to answer your questions about child and early mental health, including infant mental health. For all media inquiries please contact Michael Hone, Executive Director, at mhone@crossroadschildren.ca or 613-723-1623 x 228.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2021
Ontario Trillium Foundation provides funding for essential new computers to Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre
Ottawa, ON: Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre (CCMHC) proudly announces that thanks to a recent Resilient Communities Fund grant of $81,500 for over 6 months from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, all employees providing virtual mental health services to children under the age of 12 and their families have received brand new computers and related equipment. This directly benefits the organization and the clients served at Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre.
Recognizing the grant, MPP Jeremy Roberts stated: “One key takeaway from the pandemic, is that we cannot afford to take mental health for granted. We have all had to learn how to manage our own mental health when the world was turned upside down, and many of us needed help. The work that Crossroads does for our kids is vital now more than ever, and I am pleased to see how they will better be able to serve their patients because of this Grant.”
When the pandemic began in March 2020, most employees at CCMHC had older computers which made engaging children while working remotely a huge challenge. Cameras would often not work making video conferencing difficult and frustrating for all concerned. These new computers have had such a positive impact on the children and families we work with and have served to increase our capacity to meet the needs in the Ottawa area.
“This investment has made such a difference for the children and families we work with at Crossroads. We have been able to engage in hundreds of virtual sessions with new computer systems that allow for sharing tools and strategies with all of those we have served in the Ottawa area. Without this support we would not have been able to reach as many children and families in Ottawa”. Michael Hone, Executive Director.
Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre is an accredited mental health agency that has been providing services to children up to the age of 12 and their families for over 25 years. Crossroads specializes in behavioral problems and mental health concerns such as aggression, impulsivity, poor social skills, anxiety, sadness, depression, fear, and suicidal thoughts.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
For additional information please contact:
Michael Hone, Executive Director
mhone@crossroadschildren.ca, 613-723-1623 ext. 228
Here is a CTV Morning Live interview with Natasha McBrearty offering advice for parents and children on how to handle the new January 2022 restrictions.
Enjoy this article in the February 2020 Journal of Clinical Psychology. Read how Collaborative Problem Solving reduces children’s emotional and behavioral difficulties and parenting stress.
Here are some interviews with our Executive Director, Michael Hone, and our Associate Executive Director, Natasha McBrearty:
Coping with the Pandemic Measures
CTV Morning Live interview, July 13, 2020
The Impact of Covid-19 on Young Children, April 23, 2020:
Linking Sleep to Your Child’s Mental Health, February 2020
Special thanks to our research partners from U Ottawa for participating: Dr. Jess Whitley and Dr. Maria Rogers.
Managing Childhood Behaviour Over the Holidays, December 2019
Real Talk with Sarah, October 2019: Youth Mental Health
Controlling the Meltdown, October 8, 2019:
Calming Back to School Nerves, August 29, 2019:
Addressing Challenging Behaviour in Toddlers and Young Children, June 14, 2019:
CTV Morning Live interview on Reducing Homework Stress March 27, 2019
CTV Morning Live interview: Lack of Attention/Distractibility February 26, 2019
CTV Morning Live interview on Addressing Behaviour Concerns with Children: January 9, 2019
CTV Morning Live interview on Attention Problems at School: November 22, 2018
CTV Morning Live interview on How to Help a Nervous Child at School: October 4, 2018:
CTV Morning Live interview on Coping with Back to School on September 7, 2018:
CTV Morning Live interview on Recognizing Signs of Depression in Children & Youth, August 2018:
Effects of Stress on Young Children (November 2017): Mental health campaign tackles effects of stress on young children | CBC News
CBC News Radio Interview with Michael Hone, Executive Director
