A vital mental health resource in our community has a cozy new home.
The Robbie Dean Counselling Centre’s Renfrew office can now be found at the Annex building beside the Renfrew Victoria Hospital.
Robbie Dean centre founder and director of community engagement Monique Yashinskie is excited about the move and says over the past several years, the centre has established several strong partnerships with the hospital and Renfrew County Addiction Treatment Services.
The new space is quite lovely, they’ve created an atmosphere that’s welcoming, friendly and non-triggering, said Yashinksie.
For those not familiar, the Robbie Dean centre has a full team of registered mental health counsellors who provide a free service to those who need it.
There are also rotating group sessions with a variety of focuses that are eight weeks in length. These sessions run in Pembroke but people can attend in person or virtually, Yashinskie explained.
The Robbie Dean Counselling Centre is a very community-based organization that receives no government funding, which Yashinskie says can be both a blessing and a curse.
The downside to that is the constant need to fundraise and ensure money is coming in, so help is always welcome.
If anyone feels connected to mental health in the community or wants to contribute, the centre would love to hear from them.
Whether you want to organize a fundraiser, make a donation or aren’t sure how to help but would like to discuss it, feel free to reach out.
The Robbie Dean Centre, with offices in Pembroke and Renfrew, has been in operation since 2013. Find the new Renfrew location in the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Annex building at the back end of parking lot 2.
Find more information on centre services at robbiedeancentre.com .
(Written by Sherry Haaima)