Brock University’s Vice-President, Administration Ken Chan has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Pathstone Foundation.

Pathstone Foundation raises funds in support of Pathstone Mental Health, which is a community-based organization providing mental health services for children and youth in Niagara.

Issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and high-risk behaviours are treated through a variety of programs and services, including crisis support, personal counselling, group therapy, live-in treatment services, and outreach services in the community, school or home.

Pathstone Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy and Public Relations Kim Rossi said Chan’s appointment to its Board of Directors comes at a pivotal time.

“Pathstone has seen close to 10,000 kids seeking mental health support over the past 12 months,” she said. “This equated to a 35 per cent increase from the previous year.”

Chan brings leadership experience from the public, private and nonprofit sectors and a strong background in corporate governance. Chan is currently on the boards of Alterna Savings, ALS Society of Canada, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Open for Business in the United Kingdom. He has previously served on the boards of North York General Hospital and Sherbourne Health, and has the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to the important work that Pathstone does for children and youth who need a helping hand,” Chan said. “As a new Niagara resident and recent addition to the Brock team, I welcome this volunteer role as one way to give back to the community.”

Chan’s appointment builds on Brock’s ongoing collaborative relationship with Pathstone Mental Health, which was formalized in 2019 with a Memorandum of Understanding.

Through Brock’s Institute for Lifespan Development Research and other departments, faculty and students are conducting a variety of research initiatives around mental health challenges in children and youth, such as examining factors of anti-social behaviour, anxiety disorders and ADHD; evaluating the benefits of blending behaviour therapy with recreational dance; and studying the impact of therapeutic recreation intervention.

In addition, the Goodman School of Business created a custom-designed professional development certificate program to support Pathstone’s unique business and leadership needs in the mental health sector. Brock’s Faculty of Education is working with Pathstone to develop a training program aimed at helping teachers deal with complex mental health issues in the classroom.