How is Camino Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Our Community?
Early Intervention and Prevention
Youth who experience homelessness, discrimination, or food insecurity report poorer mental health outcomes than their peers (CYPT, Youth Impact Survey, 2023).
Did you know? Camino provides early intervention support through programs such as Pathways to Education, and collaborative initiatives like Region-wide tutoring. In 2025–2026, 14,015 people were served through our Community and Youth Development services, with youth making up 34% of those accessing the services (Camino, Impact Report, 2026).
Culturally Responsive Care
Language barriers, discrimination, and services that do not reflect a person’s culture can make it harder to access mental health care (Vital Signs Report, 2025).
Did you know? Camino strives to have culturally responsive care across all of our programs and services. Camino also hosts the Newcomer Wellbeing program, which served over 680 people last year (Camino, 2025). Camino is also grateful to work alongside many grassroot organizations to strengthen culturally responsive support.
Affirming and Inclusive Support
2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are often stigmatized and discriminated against, with many reporting experiences of bullying, isolation, violence, and barriers to affirming mental health care (CYPT, Youth Impact Survey, 2024).
Did you know? Camino’s OK2BME program provides safe and affirming mental health support for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families, by providing services in an environment where individuals can feel respected, understood, and supported in their identities (Camino, 2026).
Support For Young Parents
Pregnant and parenting youth may face added stress related to mental health, finances, isolation, education, and caregiving (CYPT, Youth Impact Survey, 2024).
Did you know? In 2025–2026, 95 young parents were supported through Camino’s Young Parent Program, which offers counselling, supportive housing, school credit programs, and other supports (Camino, 2026).
Connection and Belonging
Social connection and belonging play an important role in wellbeing and mental health, but there’s a growing need to strengthen it across the community (Waterloo Region Vital Signs Report, 2025).
Did You Know? Camino offers more than 70 groups and workshops each year. In 2025–2026, 8,762 individuals participated, creating opportunities to connect, learn, and build a stronger sense of belonging (Camino, Impact Report, 2026).
