New mental health clinic for children and teens now open

Oct. 03--Tweet

WATERTOWN -- A new mental and behavioral health-care clinic has opened just outside the city, dedicated to serving local children and teenagers.

The Watertown Child and Adolescent Wellness Clinic, which is jointly operated by the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services, is now open full time on the BOCES campus, 20104 Route 3.

The state Office of Mental Health is providing treatment and administering the wellness program, while BOCES is providing the space.

"We are extremely happy and excited about our partnership with BOCES," said Timothy J. Farrell, executive director of the Psychiatric Center. "The clinic will be a great addition to the community and will be able to provide vital services to children and families."

The clinic serves clients between the ages of 5 and 17, providing outpatient psychiatric and recovery services to assist with functioning at home and with family members, at work and in the community.

There are seven employees at the clinic, including two social workers, a social work supervisor, one registered nurse, one part time psychiatrist and two office assistants.

A list of specific services offered at the clinic includes consultation with schools and guidance personnel, crisis services, family and peer support services, symptom management, psychiatric evaluation and monitoring, psychotherapy and nutrition assessment and counseling, among others.

"This is a vital new resource for the young people of our region," BOCES District Superintendent Stephen J. Todd said. "This will be good for families, good for schools, good for our communities and -- best of all -- good for kids."

The Watertown Child and Adolescent Wellness Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evening hours as requested.

The clinic is currently accepting referrals. A formal grand opening ceremony will be held in coming weeks.

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