Ashley Apland, Clinical Manager for Youth Mental Health at Firefly explained that Firefly is a non-profit organization which provides full youth services to NWO. This includes “Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy service, mental health services, developmental assessments, autism, and spectrum disorder services”, she said.
They deal with youth from birth to 18, including parental support and counselling if appropriate.
 
Younger children typically present with behavioural issues, older children with anxiety or depression, including suicidal thoughts. Mental health issues can occur in any demographic, but children living in poverty are more at risk.
 
(Also see)
 
 
Bell’s “Let’s Talk” initiative (running Jan 28) raises money for mental health services, and Firefly has received a $25,000 grant from them in the recent past. The grant provided Firefly with the ability to provide counselling using electronic media.

Slides from Firefly Presentation