BCHS Addresses Youth Mental Health Needs in the Community

Since its launch in February 2024, BCHS’ Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic (CAPC) has seen a continuous increase in referrals and community need. Led by Dr. Nida Khawaja, psychiatrist, the CAPC program saw 214 children and youth during the first 2024-2025 fiscal year, with 88 of those patients going through additional counselling services for follow-ups.

“The program was created to help kids in the community,” says Dr. Khawaja. “We didn’t have any child mental health services, especially with a child psychiatrist in this area, and this program was meant to bridge that gap.”

Since the start of this fiscal year, Dr. Khawaja has cared for 123 children and youth. While the program has seen strong uptake, accessibility continues to be a challenge with potential barriers including a lack of a family physician or pediatrician, along with lengthy wait-times.

“Our average wait from the time we receive a referral to first contact with our mental health nurse is 22 days,” says Kristin Toushan-Blinkhorn, Clinical Manager Outpatient Mental Health, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Social Work, and Complex Care Integrated Program. “While the average wait to initial visit is 71 days.”

While wait-times are dependent on a variety of factors, much of the delay is due to the clinic only running once a week, on Fridays.

“We’re hopeful that in the future we will be able to open full-time Monday to Friday,” says Dr. Khawaja. “Part of this work is not only offering the service to the community but also advocating for more support to enhance these programs.”

“We appreciate the community partnerships and ongoing support to date,” adds Toushan-Blinkhorn. “Looking forward, BCHS will continue to measure the effectiveness of the program and use that data to advocate for greater resources to meet the growing needs in our community.”

As part of the CAPC program, there is also a focus on consultation and working with our partners to strengthen their ability to support this programming. This includes working with family physicians to manage patient medications, while collaborating closely with local school boards and Hamilton Health Science’s, McMaster Children’s Hospital inpatient units to begin processes for referrals.

BCHS’ Mental Health and Outreach programs also recognize that support is not singular, but should be inclusive of both children and youth, as well as their families.

“One of our primary goals is to offer a wrap-around service that encompasses psychiatry, family therapists, nursing support, social work, counselling, and much more,” shares Toushan-Blinkhorn.

“Mental health can bring a lot of stigma and fears about reaching out for help,” reflects Dr. Khawaja. “Just know that there is work being done to open up and expand services here in Brantford, and that we’re offering support.”

If you are interested in learning more about the clinic, please call 519-751-5544 ext. 5553 (Nurse Contact) or 519-751-5544 ext. 5530 (Admin).