Mental Health

PAH! is a children’s mental health program. We welcome all Deaf and hard of hearing children, youth, and families as well as hearing children of Deaf adults.  We support any level of hearing loss, the use of any type of assistive device, and respect any choice of communication. The PAH! program is a partnership between ROCK ™ Reach Out Centre For Kids and the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf. PAH! was founded in 2000 to provide specialized children’s mental health services for the Deaf and hard of hearing children, youth and their families and children of Deaf adults. Located on the campus of the Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf.

In American Sign Language (ASL) PAH! means “Finally!” or “At last!” PAH! expresses a sense of joy mixed with relief that the mental health needs of children and families within the Deaf and hard of hearing communities are being addressed. PAH! is finger spelled in ASL.

PAH! provides confidential family-centred care where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. The services we provide are collaborative and strength-based. PAH! services are lingusistically and culturally accessible. To facilitate access and communication, services are provided by/in:

• American Sign Language
• Professional ASL/English interpreters
• Spoken Language Interpreters
• Deaf Interpreters

PAH! offers the following services:

• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Parent & sibling support
• Art therapy
• Case management
• Advocacy
• Training and education
• Consultation with other agencies providing service to Deaf clients

• Deaf and hard of hearing children and youth (ages zero to 18) and their families
• Children and youth (ages zero to 18) of Deaf adults
• Students of Ernest C. Drury School students up to age 21 years

Our service area covers the Central West Region:

• Peel Region
• Halton Region
• Wellington County
• Dufferin County
• Waterloo Region
• Simcoe County
• York Region

ANYONE can refer to PAH! Please contact us using the methods on the left.

PAH! staff are trained professionals who can help with problems such as:

• School issues
• Grief counseling
• Relationship issues
• Separation and divorce
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-harm
• Physical/ sexual abuse
• Family conflict
• Family communication issues