As of May 1, there will be a new service offered by PARTNERS Family Services.

Executive Director Hayley Kennedy says that the focus of their new offering will be on youth.

"We applied to the RBC Youth Mental Health Project. We received $15,000 in grants from them to support youth mental health counselling services in Humboldt and area."

Kennedy says that they will be offering services to youth between the ages of 12 and 24.

"That is a new position for a new social worker," explained Kennedy.

"Last summer we undertook a community needs assessment. We put out the survey across the community, asking our stakeholders and people who have used our services to see what services we need."

She added that they examined some of their own work as well to figure out a direction.

"We also went through and did an assessment of about two years of our files to see what services were offered but what services were also needed," she said. "We know that there are amazing clinicians and counsellors working in mental health in our area, but we also know there is always a bigger need."

Kennedy says it is important to reach youth early on.

"We want to make sure we are providing services to youth when they need it and where they need it," she noted of offering the counselling. "When youth are able to access those services early on, that is going to mitigate some of the risks for problems they may have down the road."

Those looking to access the new service can visit the PARTNERS office at 905 5th Avenue, or call 306-682-4135.