CANTON -- United Helpers has opened a new behavioral health clinic in the University Plaza to help fill the need for more mental health services.

“We felt it was important to ramp up our mental health services and try hard to fill the gap in this underserved area,” said Stephen Knight, the company’s chief executive officer.

At the clinic’s grand opening Thursday, Knight thanked the many people who helped make it possible. “It was a real team effort,” he said.

Within weeks of opening its first behavioral health clinic in Ogdensburg in 2016, administrators knew that in order to adequately serve the population a second clinic would also be needed, United Helpers said in a prepared statement.

With a client base from all over St. Lawrence County traveling to the clinic in Ogdensburg, United Helpers officials wanted to locate their second clinic in a more central location.

The new clinic, located in the former Key Bank at 22 State Highway 310, will offer services similar to what is available in Ogdensburg, including confidential mental health services to treat and diagnose those suffering from depression, anxiety and anger, abuse, chronic mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder or co-occurring disorders.

“We felt it was important to bring these services closer to the people, rather than relying on them to always come to us,” said United Helpers Director of Behavioral Health Services Angela Doe. “By opening a clinic in Canton, we were able to bring these very important services to people in this part of the county.”

“United Helpers has provided mental health services for 25 years, but has increased their services the last few years. We have a full continuum of care, starting with an outpatient clinic,” said Doe. The clinic can also provide medication treatment services and access to care coordination to help clients obtain primary care and housing, if needed.”

The clinic employs clinicians, social workers, a psychiatric nurse, and shared psychiatric services with Dr. Thesee, psychiatrist and director of St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

“We provide whole person health, even after hours. We will meet patients where they’re at, with emergency services 24 hours, 365 days a year,” said Doe.

The clinic has full telehub services with teleconferencing and telepsychotherapy for clients unable to get to the clinic. “The telehub provides timely access to care,” said Doe.

The clinic is licensed to provide both children and adult therapy, and gives individual, group and family therapy, as well as psychoeducation, psychiatric diagnostic assessments, psychiatric medication management, care coordination, coping skills training, and wellness promotion.

Nicole Kennedy, one of four new therapists in the clinic, said they are working with adults and children ages 4 and older. The therapists are giving early childhood intervention and working with the Head Start Program.

Since opening its doors in August, the clinic has already served hundreds of patients, some of whom are receiving services for the first time, and some who are now receiving services closer to home.

Although walk-ins are welcome, people may also schedule an appointment by calling (315) 386-0264. Most third-party payers, insurance plans and Medicaid are accepted.

The clinic is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with after-hours appointments available on an as-needed basis.