Edmonton, Alberta

ACCESS Open Minds Edmonton is a walk-in service for individuals 16-25 years old.  Young people and their families are able to walk-in during open clinic hours and will be seen on a first come first serve basis. They will meet with a clinician and experience a solution-focused counseling session and will explore with the clinician if any other services or resources can be helpful.  Young people will be offered the option of returning to the walk-in clinic as needed or engaging in individual or group services offered through the Young Adult Service portfolio such as addiction counselling, social work consultations, employment or education assistance, or being referred to see one of our young adult psychiatrist. They may also be referred for alternate service options that may meet their presenting needs either in other departments within Alberta Health Services or outside agencies. Families and other care givers can find support for themselves through our Family Engagement Team.

• We respect where you’re at! If you’re feeling a bit unsure about reaching out to an ACCESS team member when you arrive, no worries! You can always change your mind and come back when you’re ready.
• Sometimes the clinic is busy and you may have to wait a while to see one of us. We have limited seating but would encourage that you bring a book or something else you enjoy on the off chance you need to wait for one of our staff to be free. Bringing a friend or family member for support can also be helpful!

In-Person Social Recreation and Group Programs:

Young Adult Social Recreation and Group Program is also moving and continuing to co-locate with the ACCESS Open Minds clinic. We are accepting referrals for all in person group programs, outdoor active groups and social recreation and leisure services!  Please connect to an information session – available Wednesdays mornings and Fridays afternoons. This session will provide the individual, family, and/or any other support an opportunity to review all available options for participation and be connected in the most appropriate manner.

Call 780-887-9781 or email socialrecreationwellness@albertahealthservices.ca  if you require further information.

Connect with a therapist and/or addictions counsellor

When you’re ready, you can complete an intake form and one of our team members will connect with you! During your first meeting, we usually talk about:

• Areas of your life where you would like some extra support
• Past or current experiences you’ve had which led you to contact us
• Supports you currently have in your life (friends, family, clubs, sports teams, etc.)
• Specific goals you have already been working on or are interested in working on
• If you are experiencing barriers to attend the clinic but really want to talk to someone, please let us know so that we can discuss the best way to support you. You can reach us at 780-887-9781.
• If you are having a really difficult time and need to speak to someone right away, please consider calling the Access 24/7 Addiction and Mental Health Line at 780-424-2424. Access 24/7 is also operated by Alberta Health Services, and is a valuable resource for individuals seeking support with mental health and addiction. It’s free, and is always open!
• If you prefer, you can go to Access 24/7 in person at the Edmonton CommunityHealth Hub North. The clinic is located at 13211 Fort Rd NW.

Next Steps

Once we get to know you a little better, and you’re ready, we’ll discuss services that can help you reach your goals. These can include:

• Self-help resources
• Support groups
• Mental health and/or addiction counselling
• Psychiatry
• Group therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Education/income/housing/employment support

Follow Up

• Remember, you are always welcome to come into the clinic during walk-in hours for some extra support.

The Importance of Family Involvement

The road to recovery can be a difficult and lonely journey if we don’t have a friend or loved one to support us along the way. Someone who can acknowledge our accomplishments and help us through the tough times when progress is slow, or we feel stuck. We all have a basic human need for attachment, and this connection is essential to our health. This is why we are so passionate about honoring the role of caregivers when we support young adults in their recovery. What we often hear, is that in order to effectively support a young adult we also need to nurture those that love and care for them; whether they are friends or family. We know that supporting someone who struggles with mental health or addiction is hard work, and often confusing for a caregiver. Sometimes, the people in your life who care about you are often very worried and not sure how to best support you. At times, it can feel like they have lost patience, don’t understand your experience, or don’t think you’re trying hard enough. Most people are not able to manage the role of caring for a young person very well without some education, support, and skills to help them be the best supports they can be. The ACCESS team offers resources for friends and family members to help them cope with their own fears, and better understand what you’re coping with so that they can support you in a helpful manner.

Resources for Families

• Families Supporting Adults with Mental Illness (FAMI) – Alberta
• Family Connections