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The Family Counselling Centre Sarnia-Lambton is now part of One Stop Talk, a provincial initiative connecting youth with counselling.
Published May 30, 2026 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute read
Amy Nazarewich, with Family Counselling Centre Sarnia-Lambton. Photo by Paul Morden /The ObserverArticle content
The Family Counselling Centre Sarnia-Lambton is now part of One Stop Talk, a provincial-funded mental health initiative allowing youth up to age 17 to connect with a counsellor by phone or online.
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Amy Nazarewich, with the centre in Sarnia, said training began last year for it to become part of One Stop Talk.
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“Essentially, it’s a virtual walk-in session for children and youth in Ontario,” she said.
Connection information can be found online at onestoptalk.ca, and the free service operates Monday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
Nazarewich said the initiative began during the pandemic when wait times began lengthening at the same time the need for services was increasing.
One Stop Talk is based in Toronto and is a “provincial program that is delivered locally in each region, and we are Sarnia-Lambton’s local service,” she said.
“It’s in collaboration with St. Clair Child and Youth Services, as they are lead mental health agency for children and youth in our area,” Nazarewich said.
The approach “fits in” with the counselling centre since it already is set up to deliver virtual services, she said.
Youth, even if they already are connected with services, can face “challenges in the moment . . . so, it’s nice to connect with someone when they need it,” she said.
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Youth can go to the One Stop Talk website where they can be connected virtually, or by phone, with a counsellor for a single session.
“The goal is for a child or youth to be connected with a counsellor within about five minutes,” Nazarewich said.
The counsellors work out of locations around the province, including the centre in Sarnia.
If it’s determined the youth could benefit from additional services, “a navigator can be brought in to help direct that youth with services in their local community,” Nazarewich said.
It’s hoped the centre’s involvement with One Stop Talk can help give it more visibility in the community, so young people know when they’re dealing with mental health challenges “in the moment, there is a place for me to call,” she said.
“I can see all sorts of situations that people might call in for,” including youth dealing with anxiety, bullying “and anything kiddos might be struggling with,” Nazarewich said
“I think when people are dealing with some of those challenges, especially in the moment, it is so important to be able to connect with someone sooner rather than later, so those emotions and challenges don’t get out of control,” she said.
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