fbpx
Home > Programs > Youth and Young Adults
Jennifer's Story
“I loved my phone. I couldn’t put it down. So much so that in grade 12 I started skipping class to post. Soon, I started skipping meals. But then I started skipping sleep. My grades dropped and I lost a ton of weight. The worst was when I skipped prom. I missed a once in a lifetime experience to be with my friends. Thankfully, my dad found Rideauwood. Now I am working on how to feel better without constantly being online.”
Anna's Story
"I came from an abusive family and ended up on the streets when I was 15. It was a rough life and I partied hard. Then I got pregnant and I had a choice to make. I decided to keep my baby and that meant a lot of things had to change. Life on the streets was not going to work anymore and I needed to stop partying. At first, it wasn’t that easy, but after I started at Rideauwood I started getting my life together. My little girl is going to have a good start."
Valerie's Story
"My friends drink all the time when we hang out so what am I going to do? I’m not going to stop hanging with my friends. Last week though, my friends finished their exams and decided to celebrate with a few drinks in my boyfriend’s basement. My last exam was the next day, but I couldn’t say no. I got so wasted. I ended up in the hospital and I missed my exam. We don’t really hang out sober anymore. Maybe we have a problem, but how should I know?"
Previous slide
Next slide

Youth and Young Adults find the right kind of support at Rideauwood.

Pressure from peers, unrealistic expectations, the relentlessness of social media, are just a few of the forces making it an extremely challenging time to grow up in. At Rideauwood we recognize just how challenging it is and offer tailored programs for Youth and Young Adults focused on substance use, behavioural addictions and mental health issues. We provide specialized support and partner with clients to choose the program path that meets their individual goals.

Do you have questions about substance use, behavioural addictions or mental health?

Explore your questions with our self-assessment tool.

Do I or others question whether my
substance use and/or behavioural
addictions are causing problems?
Have I experienced consequences in my life related to my substance use and/or behavioural addictions but have continued the same behaviour?
Has my substance use and/or
behavioural addiction increased
regardless of my efforts to moderate
or stop completely?
Am I a family member or caregiver of
someone affected by substance use or a
behavioural addiction?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above please contact us.

“You learn so much along the way. Some of the ideas 
might kick in later, but when they do, they stay with you.”

– Alumni, Rideauwood

There is no “right” path-only the
path you choose.

Education

In our education programs, we talk about the “Hows and Whys” of substance use, behavioural addictions, and mental health issues. We also discuss healthy ways to cope.

These educational sessions are tailored to different client groups.

Prevention

Our prevention programs provide resources and tools to participants to increase their resilience.

Harm Reduction

Clients choose to reduce the harms related to their substance use and/or other problematic behaviours. Setting harm reduction goals helps clients minimize harms and enhance their skills and knowledge to improve their health.

Abstinence

Clients choose to eliminate their substance use and/or other problematic behaviours altogether. Clients develop a program path to achieve their goals.

Rideauwood has many programs for Youth and Young Adults

School-Based Program

Rideauwood’s School-Based Program offers students prevention, education and treatment to address substance use, behavioural addictions or mental health issues in and out of school. It is provided to English Language High Schools and Senior Elementary Schools in Ottawa. Students from any school board may also access this program at our Parkdale site.

Youth & Young Adult Substance Use Program

Rideauwood’s Substance Use program is for Youth and Young Adults who are facing challenges in their life including substance use, behavioural addictions or mental health issues. Our services are offered in multiple geographical locations and provide program participants with education, individual and group counselling.

Youth Justice Program

The Youth Justice Program is for Youth and Young Adults who are involved in the judicial system and who are experiencing problematic substance use, behavioural addictions and related mental health issues. Our services are offered in multiple geographical locations and provide program participants with education, individual and group counselling.

Pregnant and Parenting Program

This program is for pregnant or parenting youth (12-25) and their children who are experiencing difficulties related to substance use, behavioural addictions or mental health issues.
Participants in this program receive counselling and education so they can feel empowered to set goals for healthy pregnancy and parenting.

Notice to Clients:

We are currently experiencing issues with our appointment scheduling system. This may mean that you will not be contacted by your counsellor for your scheduled virtual/telephone appointment. 

If you have an appointment today, please call our reception at 613-724-4881 to be connected to your counsellor. 

We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologize for the inconvenience.

Rideauwood partners with

During COVID-19, Rideauwood has partnered with other agencies through CounsellingConnect to help youth, young adults and adults who are dealing with substance use issues, or other problematic behaviour such as gambling and gaming or supporting a friend/family member who is. If you are interested in a single session to explore these issues, help is just a click away.