Teenagers in Morden, and surrounding area, now have a designated place to visit and receive healthcare.

A teen clinic opened its doors Tuesday afternoon in the Agassiz Medical Centre in Morden. The clinic, which is run through Agassiz, requires no appointments. Anyone 12 to 21 years old can drop in and receive the same medical care provided by the main clinic, the difference is the focus placed on issues and service specific to teenagers.

"I'm assuming, based on Winkler's teen clinic, about maybe 40 to 50 per cent of the clientele is mental health related, but there definitely is reproductive health and everything in between," said Caroline Bitton, the nurse practitioner who will be heading the clinic.

Morden's clinic was based off of Winkler's teen clinic, and Bitton hopes to fill the same need except in Morden.

"There's depression, anxiety, suicide prevention," said Bitton, "we'll see that as well."

The Morden Youth For Christ centre has begun a "Teen Talk" group to support the teen clinic opening up. Bitton spoke about healthy relationships to a relaxed crowd last Tuesday during the kick-off session. Right now, the plan is to hold similar discussions at the YFC building "The Warehouse" every other Tuesday evening.

"It went really well," said Tara Wyton, who works runs a teen mom's program at The Warehouse.

"The girls left feeling encouraged and excited, so I think it will be great for our community," she said.

Wyton explained that keeping a simple, relaxed atmosphere is essential so the young people attending feel welcome and safe enough to speak to her or Bitton about what's happening in their lives.

In March, a woman-only fundraising event called "Power of the Purse" was organized, and Bitton presented her goals for the teen clinic to the nearly 100 women in attendance in a bid capitol. Of the $10,000 distributed at the fundraiser, just over $3,200 was granted to the new clinic.

Plans for a teen clinic opening in Morden started in January, and it was important to Bitton to start before the end of the school year. In fall, she hopes to travel to local schools and tell students about the clinic and what it can offer them.