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.
MEDIA RELEASE January 26, 2023
Ontario Trillium Foundation provides funding for essential upgrades to Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre’s Main Site
Ottawa, Ontario – On January 24th, 2023, the Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre (CCMHC) gathered to recognize the $37,900 Resilient Communities Fund grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This grant allowed for upgrades to CCMHC’s reception area and therapy rooms, as well as creating a sensory space for the children supported at CCMHC. These enhancements directly benefit the organization and the clients served at the Centre and will help address needs resulting from the pandemic.
“The past few years have had a profound impact on children and their mental health. Children need mental health support more than ever and CCMHC continues to lead the way in providing this critical support in Ottawa West—Nepean,” said MPP Chandra Pasma. “I am thrilled that CCMHC will receive a $37,900 Resilient Communities Fund grant to expand on the important work that they are doing to address these challenges.”
The pandemic has had a significant and sustained negative impact on the mental health of children under the age of 12. It has caused feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression for many. Therapy is often required, and a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere can help significantly. Furniture, toys and supplies in our reception area and therapy rooms have been replaced with colourful, easy to clean items that will keep everyone safe and support children’s emotional development and encourage them to communicate their feelings.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to create a sensory space for our clients,” said Michael Hone, Executive Director of CCMHC. “When a child has sensory related issues, they are often prone to negative attempts at self-soothing which typically result in behavioral challenges. Our sensory room provides them a safe space to decompress and confront a variety of sensory challenges in a way that will ultimately help them learn to cope with sensory challenges.”
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 since 1995. We specialize 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), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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
