Kaelan’s school councilor referred him to Humber’s Transitional Day Program. Kaelan finally found the structure and support he needed to focus on his academics and mental health.

When Kaelan first joined the Youth Mental Health Transitional Day Program, he felt overwhelmed-weighed down by anxiety, making the idea of attending high school feel impossible.

The pandemic had only intensified Kaelan’s struggles, isolating him and adding increased social and academic pressures. His family, feeling lost, didn’t know where to turn. Sean, Kaelan’s father, recalls those early days:

“In the beginning, there was a feeling of helplessness. Not knowing what to do, not knowing who to talk to. It was incredibly challenging.”

Fortunately, Kaelan’s school councilor referred him to Humber’s Transitional Day Program. Kaelan finally found the structure and support he needed to focus on his academics and mental health.

With individualized attention, one-on-one interactions and the opportunity to earn his high school credits, Kaelan began to see a path forward. Reflecting on the early days in the program, Kaelan shared,

“The first couple of weeks were a bit difficult, but as I kept going, I got used to it and it felt comfortable. It felt better than my old school. I liked it and started to love it.”

One of Kaelan’s favorite places to spend time was the patient patio—a peaceful outdoor area with gardens, basketball hoops, and other activities woven into the student’s day.

One of Kaelan’s favorite places to spend time was the patient patio—a peaceful outdoor area with gardens, basketball hoops, and other activities woven into the student’s day.

The extended 12-week program allowed Kaelan to progress steadily. Sean shares:

“They were great at putting him at ease, getting him to come inside, getting him to participate at his own pace. They seemed to know him very well—the things that he liked, the things that he didn’t like. They were very personable.”

The program also provided Kaelan’s family with insights and tools to better support him. Sean explained:

“An unexpected benefit of this time spent at Humber was how helpful it was for my wife and I. We learned a lot about how to better manage our behaviours, our expectations, and how to communicate better. We have a better understanding of everybody’s mental health.”

As Kaelan begins his final year of high school, he does so with a renewed sense of calm, rediscovering simple joys, like playing Minecraft and bonding with his kitten.

Sean reflected, “I’m very optimistic seeing how much Kaelan’s improved, seeing him smiling again. As a parent, that’s the best feeling.”

Thanks to the support of our generous donors, Kaelan’s story is just one of many that show how this program transforms lives. Sean expressed his gratitude, saying, “Being able to go to Humber and receive the care that we did—the consistent quality of care, to feel welcome and not be rushed. We’re incredibly grateful that this exists as a resource.”

Mental Health: Equitable Access to Services

Providing vital Mental Health Support for our community, Humber River Health’s Mental Health and Addictions program plays a pivotal role in addressing multifaceted mental health needs and stands as one of the largest in the GTA. Learn more at HealthcareLives.ca