ED Blog

Breaking Down Barriers: Why Accessible Mental Health Care Matters
By Trish Hamilton, Executive Director, Gentle Path Counselling Services

Mental health care is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Yet, for many individuals and families in our communities, access to affordable, quality counselling remains out of reach. At Gentle Path Counselling Services, we see the impact of this every day. That’s why our mission as a non-profit is centered on one powerful idea: everyone deserves access to hope and healing, regardless of financial means.

Gentle Path provides a range of professional, trauma-informed counselling services for children, youth, adults, couples, and families. We meet people where they are—emotionally and financially—offering subsidized or no-cost sessions for those without insurance or the ability to pay. In 2024 alone, we provided nearly 4,000 counselling sessions, with over a third of our clients receiving support they otherwise couldn’t afford.

Accessible mental health care strengthens entire communities. When individuals have support, they are more likely to stay in school, maintain employment, parent effectively, and live with dignity. The people who benefit from our services include:

• Students navigating academic stress, bullying, or isolation.
• Parents and caregivers facing challenges at home or work. HERE.
• Survivors of trauma seeking a path forward.
• First Responders grappling with PTSD and feelings of isolation.
• Seniors dealing with loneliness, loss, or change.
• Low-income individuals who can’t afford private therapy.
• Non-Profit Managers working through emotions associated with their careers

When someone reaches out for help, they shouldn’t be met with a waitlist or a price tag. Non-profit agencies like Gentle Path are essential because we fill that critical gap. But we can’t do it alone. Community support, partnerships, and advocacy help keep our doors open and our services available to all. Help us bridge the gap – here.