Emma's Story

Written by: Emma Noble, Youth Ambassador, Summer 2022 The Grove UofG site

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There is a mental health crisis raging within our community. Young people, especially students, may be familiar with the frustration that accompanies seeking mental health care and the complexities inherent in navigating the system. Youth are exhausted with the current system and are left feeling forgotten.

On top of the mental health challenges faced by youth and students in our community, we are also struggling to find the support we need. While mental health advocates continue to make this a priority, we need access to help immediately.

The University of Guelph has recognized the barriers we face when accessing proper mental health care and have partnered with The Grove Youth Wellington Guelph to provide further support to students and local young people.

The Grove Youth Wellington Guelph – University of Guelph site is a space where we feel safe and included. The sites are set up in a way to proactively address mental wellness from an intervention and prevention view. It serves ages from twelve to twenty-six with any wellness issue they may be facing.

The University of Guelph generously partnered with The Grove to offer more services for students and the local community. It is located off 50 College Avenue West, at the corner of Smith Lane. The Grove is open Monday through Friday, and youth can stop in anytime between 10:30AM to 6:00PM. All youth are welcome to drop-in at any point to grab a coffee, a snack, utilize our work-spaces or access any one of our services – all free of charge.

The Grove is designed to meet a wide array of needs across the youth wellness continuum. Our Youth Wellness Coordinators are here to help you chart and navigate your own wellness plan; The Grove can provide occupational support, substance-use support, mental health support, and housing support. Our programs are designed by youth for youth. This means you can receive support specifically based on your individual needs.

Our partners, enable us to offer mental health services to youth in a timely manner, free-of-charge. Our partners include the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington, Portage, Agilec, 2nd Chance, Women In Crisis, The YMCA, Wyndham House, and the University of Guelph. Our on-campus site allows students to access care in partnership with Student Wellness.

Looking for a break? Relax in our space, either by playing on our Nintendo Switch, doing a puzzle, watching something on Netflix or Disney+, or taking a nap. The Grove is here to serve you, and your needs. The space can be whatever you require it to be. Whether you are seeking community support or need a quiet space to focus during the school year, The Grove Wellington Guelph is here to aid in all your wellness needs.