You don't have to go through this alone. Your need is important to us. All our services are free and confidential.
We Offer:
- One-on-one mentoring for those struggling with low self-esteem, body image issues, questions about relationships, sex, and/or life
- Groups/Events, be.u.tiful jewelry making classes. See events page › ›
- Free pregnancy tests and crisis pregnancy support
- After Abortion Care
- School Programs: Choose2Know programming
- Care Closet: donated baby supplies (0-2 years)
"Will my parents find out if I come to MLC for help?"
Our services are free and confidential. Your parents will not be contacted without your permission.
"I think I'm pregnant. What am I going to do?"
I might be pregnant". These words might flood your mind with fear, confusion and panic. Maybe you weren't planning on getting pregnant, not now. We would like to offer our love and support through your difficult time in a non-judgemental and safe place. Don't go through this alone. We're here to listen. How's your relationship going to change? What are the risks and facts about abortion, adoption and parenting? How will your decision impact your life? Book an appointment for "Crisis Pregnancy Support" or a "Pregnancy Test".
If you are a young parent and need support, we have a Care Closet for you to get many baby and maternity items you may need as well as one-on-one support. Book an appointment for the "Care Closet".
"I've had an abortion and can't seem to shake my memories of it. Can you help?"
Yes! We offer specific After Abortion Care. Give us a call or write an email to book an appointment. Your appointment is completely confidential and non-judgemental. We care about you and want to hear your story. You will meet with a trained mentor who will guide you through you feelings and experiences so you can begin the healing journey. This takes a lot of courage and we recognize this is a difficult step to take.
"I feel worthless and hopeless. Is life really worth living?"
Life can be very difficult at times. Maybe you just broke up with your partner, or you hate the way you look, or have family problems, or just feel like no one would care if you disappeared. We care, and we're here to listen to your pain.
I'm struggling getting the items I need for my family. Can you help?"
Yes! We have a care closet here where you can receive baby clothes (0-18 mon), diapers, formula, books and more! Just book an appointment with us and we will do whatever we can to get you the things you need!
Please click on a question to view the answer.
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A crisis pregnancy is a pregnancy that is complicated by one or more of the following:
- Broken/Difficult relationships: parental and/or sexual
- Family tensions: finances, death in family, conflicts
- Personal unresolved issues: low self esteem, abuse, internal/external conflicts
- Age and maturity: too young to have a child, don't know how to raise a child
- School or career pressures: middle/highschool, post secondary, steady job
- Financial concerns: welfare, no place to live, can't support oneself let alone a child
- Health concerns: health of baby or mother
You may be feeling scared and confused. The loneliness and isolation you're feeling is almost unbearable. You don't have to go through one more day feeling alone and terrified. Call or email us; we'll sit down with you and chat about your options. You have time. Don't rush into a decision you might regret. We're here to talk and most of all, to listen.
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You could be experiencing PAS. Post Abortion Stress is something that girls might experience, at different degrees, after an abortion. It can happen immediately after the abortion, or years down the road.
Symptoms:
- overwhelming guilt and/or condemnation
- avoidence behaviours: anything that reminds you of pregnancy or children (ie. doctor's office, malls, grocery stores etc.)
- phychological numbing: the unconscious vow to never let anything hurt this badly again can hamper the ability to enter fully into an emotional intimate relationship.
- depression (see 'depression')
- re-experiencing events: flashbacks of abortion, fetus, abortion clinic etc.
- preoccupation with becoming pregnant again
- anxiety over fertility and childbearing issues
- trouble bonding with present or future children
- self abuse/self-destructive behaviours: cutting, embedding, suicide attempts
- anniversary reactions(year after year): increase of symptoms around the time of the abortion or when the child would have been born
If you have had an abortion and are experiencing all or some of these symptoms, please don't hesitate to call us. You will not be judged at MLC for your decision, in fact, you will be loved and supported. We have a specific program for you where you will meet with a trained counsellor individually or in a group setting in a comfortable and non-threatening atmosphere.
Please call/email us for our current group schedule or to see a counsellor individually. You can find freedom!
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Relationship difficulty can be very exhausting. You may have a poor relationship with your parents and it seems like they don't understand you. Your relationship with your partner may be messy from previous relationships or personality conflicts. You may struggle with making friends. You thought being sexually involved with your partner would draw you closer together, but its just left you feeling empty. You may be involved in an abusive relationship and unsure how to get out. Whatever your relationship trouble is, we're here to listen to you. Call/email us today.
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Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, actions and thoughts. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. Depression can be caused by many different circumstances, experiences, internal/external conflicts, and/or spiritual conflicts (ie. guilt).
Symptoms:
- you don't want to do the things you usually enjoy doing
- you feel like you have no emotional expression (flat affect)
- you feel extreme sadness
- you feel hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness
- you don't want to hang out with anyone, always feel tired, and want to sleep all the time or can't sleep
- you can't concentrate
- you have suicidal thoughts
- alcohol or drug abuse may be signs of depression
Are you experiencing some or all of these symptoms? You're not alone. Many young people experience depression and feel like there is no where to turn. MLC is a place you can turn to in the midst of deep despair. It takes a lot of guts to ask for help. We at MLC recognize this difficulty and applaud your bravery. Please don't go one more day feeling depressed. Call/email us today.
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Self-esteem is best described as the degree in which we view our 'worthiness' as a person. Poor self-image can put someone at risk for an eating disorder, crisis pregnancy, depression, suicide, criminal or violent behavior, bullying, victimization, drug and alcohol abuse, spousal abuse, poor job performance, divorce, and disastrous relationships to name only a few.
Symptoms:
- you hate the way you look
- you think you're too fat/ugly/skinny/dumb
- you wish you were someone else
- you're not confident in your own skin
- you feel like you're never going to measure up to what everyone wants you to be
- you believe you have no talents or ablilties to offer the world
- you have a constant need for validation and recognition for what you do
- you don't trust you're own opinions
- you define yourself by what others think of you
- you have a negative outlook on life and of yourself
It may feel impossible to think you could ever love yourself. You're not alone. 3 out of 4 girls under 26 have a low self esteem. MLC is here to listen to your pain and help you love the way you were made and discover those things that make you special. We approach all our services holistically, meaning, emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Call/email us and we would be more than happy to listen to you. We have a small group that discusses issues such a low self esteem called Gamma Girls. If you're interested, please contact us.
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Sources:
The above links may not represent MLC's values and beliefs. They were used solely for their factual information.
[ DISCLAIMER ]
MLC is a safe, non-jugemental environment that provides you with factual information that we hope will enable you to make well-informed decisions.
MLC's Staff are well trained in this helping profession but are not all licensed counsellors; however, we have a passion and deep commitment to listen and support you and your specific needs. This support is not a substitute for professional counselling; although, if needed, we are more than happy to refer you.
MLC is not a medical clinic or laboratory. We do not perform or provide referrals for medical services, such as abortion. MLC provides home pregnancy tests; however, a licensed physician must confirm the results of your test to confirm you are pregnant. We will love you unconditionally regardless of your decision.
MLC is not an adoption agency. If you are planning on choosing adoption, we can provide you with referrals for adoption agencies and any ongoing support that you may need.
MLC respects your privacy; therefore, we maintain absolute confidentiality in all circumstances except where required by law to report, in such cases as abuse or threatened suicide/homicide.
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