Where hope grows.

Welcome to Lynwood Charlton Centre. We are the Lead Agency for Child and Youth Mental Health in Hamilton and provide FREE mental health services for children and youth ages 0-18.

  • Access and System Navigation (ASN) is the single point of access for all child and youth mental health services in the Hamilton area. If you are a young person, a parent/caregiver of a child or youth, or a community professional, you can make a referral for services offered by Hamilton’s Core Service Providers.

    To make a referral please CLICK HERE or call us at (905) 389-1361.

  • To connect directly with a mental health professional through online video, and voice, go to onestoptalk.ca, or call 1-855-416-8255. One Stop Talk operates Monday to Friday from 12 PM - 4PM EST., and Saturdays from 12PM - 4PM EST.

  • Do you have a question about youth mental health, or mental health services for youth in Hamilton?

    You can contact us with your feedback and questions. Get in touch by phone, e-mail, or by using our contact form.

Hope isn’t just a feeling.

At Lynwood Charlton Centre, hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s what happens when expert care, collaboration, and courage come together.

Our Approach
Lead Agency

Kids and Teens

Interested in how to get help from us?

Learn more

Parents and Caregivers

Find out how to access FREE mental health services for your child.

Learn more

Community Professionals

Are you a service provider or educator?

Learn more

We offer hope and healing.

Through our network of live-in, in-home, school, and community programs, we help children and youth build resilience, heal from adversity, and discover their strengths. Every service—whether crisis support, counselling, or specialized treatment—is designed to nurture not just mental health, but connection, hope, and lifelong growth. 

A boy with brown hair giving a kiss on the cheek to a woman with short pink hair, both smiling, against a multicolored wall.

  • Our 24/7 care combines clinical expertise with compassionate support, helping young people grow stronger in a safe, nurturing environment.

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  • We work alongside parents and caregivers to create healing environments at home, providing evidence-based therapies that help children thrive while keeping families connected and supported.

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  • The Coordinated Service Planning Program is designed for children and youth (up to age 21) with multiple and/or complex developmental or special needs who are involved with several different services or agencies.

    View Program

  • With a blend of professional expertise and genuine compassion, we help children, youth and families process challenges, develop resilience, and build brighter futures.

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  • From individual support to whole-school mental health initiatives, we help young people develop the emotional skills they need to thrive academically and socially.

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  • Through groups, workshops and collaborative events, we ensure every family has access to the resources and connections they need to flourish.

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  • " Thank you for always being kind, understanding and caring. We as a family can see the positive change in our son."

    ~ Parents

  • " I don't think my child would be where she is today without all the help, love, support, and guidance from Lynwood Charlton/ Compass Program. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

    ~ Parent

  • " I had a great experience with Lynwood Charlton Centre. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. They provided me with the support and resources I needed to feel comfortable and confident in my journey towards mental wellness."

    ~ Youth

  • " The services provided by this mental health center are exceptional. The staff are very professional and caring. They truly made a positive difference in my life."

    ~ Youth

  • " The caring and dedicated staff at Lynwood Charlton Centre have been instrumental in my recovery journey. They provided me with the guidance and support I needed during a difficult time in my life."

    ~ Youth

  • " I highly recommend Lynwood Charlton Centre to anyone seeking mental health support. They have a friendly and supportive team that truly understands and cares about their clients' well-being."

    ~ Youth

  • " I can't thank LCC enough for the incredible support they provided me. Their team is dedicated, compassionate, and knowledgeable. They truly make a difference in the lives of their clients."

    ~ Youth

  • " I want to express my gratitude to Lynwood Charlton Centre for their exceptional services. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. They truly go above and beyond to help their clients along their mental health journey."

    ~ Parent

  • " Overall, my time with Compass and Lynwood as a whole was nothing short of fantastic! I will forever be grateful of what I was able to achieve through all staff. Thank you! "

    ~ Youth

Mental Health Hub

Your guide to support, stories, and hope.

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This report from Mental Health Research Canada highlights the personal stories of 17 individuals with a mental health diagnosis, shedding light on their experiences navigating the Canadian healthcare system in search of support.

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This guide outlines the dedicated crisis supports available to the Hamilton region, offering a clear path to urgent mental health care…

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This guide helps students with self-care, staying well, signs of common mental health problems, how and where to ask for help, and how to help a friend.

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Community Resources Guide

This guide brings together key local services—from crisis support and counselling to youth groups and family navigation—so you can easily find the right help at the right time.

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A Generation at Risk

This report sheds crucial light on the urgent needs of a generation. Here’s a summary of its key findings and what they mean for our community in Hamilton.

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Explore the Voices Unheard Digital Showcase from Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) which centres on the theme: “Voices Unheard, Stories Told: Centering the Diversity of Ontario’s Infants, Children & Youth.”

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