Teen Health Centre

Where is the Teen Health Centre?  
What services are available from the Teen Health Centre?
Are you open on weekends?
How can I go to an appointment when I am supposed to be in school?
How old do I have to be to come to the Teen Health Centre?
Do I have to make an appointment?
Do I have to pay to come to the Teen Health Centre?
What if my parents have my Health Card? If I ask for it they will want to know why!
Do you give out free birth control pills?
How do I become a client of the Teen Health Centre?
My parents won’t find out I was at the Teen Health Centre, will they?
My friend can’t come in. Can I pick up her birth control pills for her?
Do you have the “morning after pill”?
Do you have a Library?

Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol

Can a teenager really be depressed?
A friend of mine recently used the drug “ecstasy” at a rave. I am concerned about her, but she says it is no big deal. Is it dangerous?
What is stress?
My parents think I spend too much time with my boyfriend/girlfriend. How do I know if I’m in a healthy relationship?

Sexual Health

What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?
Ooops!!! I had sex and did not use any protection. What should I do?

FAQ: Are you open on weekends?

A: No we are not open on weekends. We are open Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 8pm, and Friday 9 to 5.

FAQ: How can I go to an appointment when I am supposed to be in school?

A: We have forms that we can give you that will document that you had an appointment so you can be excused from school or work.

FAQ: How old do I have to be to come to the Teen Health Centre?

A: The Teen Health Centre provides services for people age 12 to 24.

FAQ: Do I have to make an appointment?

A: Medical
Appointments are preferred and will be seen first.  Please call (519) 253-8481 to make an appointment. Appointments are required to start on birth control pills, for Pap smears, annual health exams, referrals, and the completion of forms. Walk-ins will be accepted for the following concerns, pregnancy tests, morning-after pills, bladder infections, repeat birth control pills. Walk-ins will not be accepted Monday and Thursday mornings before 12:00 or within a half hour of closing.

A: Counselling
You can either call (519) 253-8481 and ask to speak to a counsellor or walk-in to refer yourself for General Counselling or Substance Abuse treatment, but most of our counsellors do have waiting lists to become regular clients. We do our best to keep our waiting lists as short as possible and we will see you as soon as we can. We are not a crisis agency so if you need to see someone immediately and you live in Essex County you can call the Children’s Crisis Service if you are under 18 at (519) 252-2720 or the Community Crisis Service if you are over 16 at (519) 973-4411 ext. 3003. If you live outside Essex County you can find a crisis service in your area by looking in the phone book.

FAQ: Do I have to pay to come to the Teen Health Centre?

A: Services at the Teen Health Centre are available with your Ontario Health Card that you must bring to each visit. Click here for information on how to get a Health Card. (link to library- ministry of health site)

FAQ: What if my parents have my Health Card? If I ask for it they will want to know why! 

A: Call us at 253-8481.

FAQ: Do you give out free birth control pills?

A: No, there is a minimal charge for packages of birth control pills and pregnancy tests. We will not start you on birth control pills on a walk-in basis. You must make an appointment as we need to assess your physical health and discuss whether taking birth control is the right decision for you.

FAQ: How do I become a client of the Teen Health Centre?

A: You can call us at 253-8481 to set up an appointment or walk-in. You do not need a doctor’s referral to see one of our physicians or nurses. Counselling referrals are taken from the individual, their parents, teachers, friends, etc.

FAQ: My parents won’t find out I was at the Teen Health Centre, will they?

A: No, our services are kept confidential. The law is that anyone 12 years of age and older has the right to confidential health care. There are a few rare exceptions to this rule, so ask us if you have any concerns. Normally, the fact that you come here, and what you say while you are here, is no one’s business but your own.

FAQ: My friend can’t come in. Can I pick up her birth control pills for her?

A: No, she must come in herself.

FAQ: Do you have the “morning after pill”?

A: Yes we do, but you must start it within 72 hours of having unprotected sex . If you are planning on having sex it is better for you to use a form of birth control.

FAQ: Do you have a Library?

A: The David Jaggs Memorial Library and Resource Information Centre is located in the basement of the Teen Health Centre.  Currently, use of the library is by appointment only.  Please call 253-8481 ext. 250.