Thanks to your support, local parents and caregivers navigating their children’s mental health and addiction challenges are finding connection, understanding, and a community they can lean on.
United Way East Ontario has been a long-time partner of Pleo—a network of people with lived experience supporting their kids with mental health and addictions issues.
“Parents of kids who are struggling often feel isolated due to shame or guilt,” said Michelle Crogie, Executive Director, Pleo. “So, when you’re able to talk to another parent who has been through similar situations, who understands what some of that journey is like—navigating services, perhaps being in and out of hospital—it helps you feel like you can get through it too.”
Pleo provides support groups for families, a phone help line that families can call as many times as they need, as well as a more intensive mobile one on one support program, and Michelle said that would not be possible without the support of United Way.
Meet Jen
Jen is thankful that Pleo was there for her at a crucial time for her family.
“I needed some supports with my child who was struggling with mental illness, and I needed some guidance on how to support them in a way that’s positive,” she explained. “I was looking for some people who could understand that, because, in order to protect my child’s dignity, I felt like I couldn’t go to my family and my usual support network at home.”
Thanks to Pleo, Jen was able to talk to other parents who had been through similar situations with their kids, get the guidance she needed, and was directed to resources that allowed her to get through that next tough moment with her child.
“Once I found the information I needed, I felt more confident that I could properly support my child, which meant I wasn’t struggling as much with my own mental distress. It meant I could be more present and, overall, a better caregiver for them,” she said.
Ultimately, Jen said she felt less alone.
"Pleo really helped me feel like I had somebody I could rely on to help in the times that I was struggling with my child’s mental illness, and to feel that I could get support and answers without being judged.”
Sparking real community-wide change, together
Recent data has shown, local youth are just as vulnerable now as they were five years ago. Many are still struggling with their mental health—some as young as 12 and 13 are even turning to opioids to cope.
Most of those young people have someone who cares for them, and who may also need help navigating their struggles.
Your support fuels a network of frontline services that ensure people have access to quick and affordable mental health, substance use, and crisis care.
PARTNER PERSPECTIVE
Pleo
"United Way has been an amazing partner of Pleo, and with United Way support, we're able to deliver more programs and services in Eastern Ontario."
Chances are, you know someone struggling with common, increasing, or dire mental health challenges. You can help people get the support they need when they need it.
When you give to United Way East Ontario, you connect your neighbours with timely, accessible, and culturally appropriate mental health, addictions, and crisis care.
No one should have to wait for help when life feels heavy. Give today.
