After suffering a terrible loss, a family in the Seaforth area is stepping up to help tackle mental health and addictions.
John and Heather Steffler lost their 19-year-old son Tanner to an addiction in June of this year, and decided to launch the Tanner Steffler Foundation.
John says it was a struggle to find adequate help for Tanner.
"We were struggling with the system, as was Tanner, to get the proper resources, the proper wait times. Youth mental health and addiction services in Huron County, quite frankly, is limited to non-existent for people under the age of 16," he says.
John and Heather launched the foundation in August, and have a five-year goal of opening a 24/7, 365-day mental health and addictions service centre in the area, targeting people ages of 12-24.
John and Heather note that the first step along the way is education and awareness, part of their four-point plan.
"We're working alongside the OPP, the local school boards in Huron County, the health providers as well as the local agencies who already have services in place," says John. "So, we're trying to clear the path if you will for an addicted person or mental health patient or the supporting networks around them."
John also notes that it's important for youth voices to be heard, and they want to establish a youth council for the area, and get them working with local organizations, too.
"Working with other agencies just trying to give them ideas and to be more of an advocate for their agencies rather than a negative, while also informing them that change needs to happen," he says.
The Stefflers are planning an event for the new year with a special guest speaker, and will release details when they have been confirmed.
