OUR STORY

Ontarians appear to do many things to maintain health and prevent physical illness, like eating healthy foods, staying active, and not smoking - but what about our mental health? When people do become physically ill, our healthcare system is there to provide treatment and support. It’s time to take the same approach to mental health and addictions; from prevention to identification, and treatment. Research shows the Ontario mental health care system has many flaws, such as a shortage of clinicians and mental health services; poor access to services, especially in marginalized communities; mismatching of services; services not being integrated and divided into ‘silos’ of private and public systems; long wait times and poor quality of services. All of these may result in having mental health needs unmet.

Wounds 2 Wings Trauma and Embodiment Association of Ontario could provide the same treatment that an emergency department can provide, but in a less invasive environment and without the long waits and busyness. This type of partnership may ultimately save time and money for services and healthcare. Furthermore, access to care is not the only issue. There still remain many negative public stigmas around mental health, which in turn can create self-stigmatization. This may show up as feelings of denial, fear, or shame, thus making it more difficult for people with mental illnesses to want to reach out for help. One of this organization’s main goals will be to break these stigmas and create a community where all people have equal opportunities to thrive, and where people with mental illness or addictions can recover in a safe, welcoming space free of judgment. Wounds 2 Wings Trauma and Embodiment Association of Ontario can be a part of the transformation of the Ontario mental health system through a forward-thinking vision and embodiment mindset while working with trauma, mental health, and addictions. By building awareness, we can build stronger communities. We can create networks of support that weave throughout health care, youth services, the justice system, social services, and municipal programs. We can erase the stigma and develop understanding. We can open the door to a brighter, healthier future for people with mental health problems and addictions, their families, and their communities.

TEAO will work in collaboration within the community to provide mental health services to those that are experiencing a crisis or have survived trauma(s) (providing a mental health assessment, appropriate referrals, psycho-education, connections to services, and other disposition recommendations). This may be effective in diverting individuals away from the hospital or mismatched services as it will provide crisis services within the community during the crisis event as an accessible resource to individuals. We will focus on early intervention and support more complex situations to protect youth and adults from the many associated costs of mental illness, addictions, and systemic oppression as well. With strong leadership and accountability, we can give front-line service providers, health care practitioners, and first responders the tools they need to identify those at risk and intervene early. We can protect our youth and help them grow into strong, happy, healthy adults and we can also do the same for the ‘inner child’ of adult survivors in need of services. This type of non-profit organization will provide efficient and effective services for individuals experiencing a crisis as they will have rapid access to a mental health assessment in the community and will have the opportunity to work with a mental health practitioner. We will provide youth, adults, and families with a connection to community resources, medical services, and/or psychoeducation that will promote them to engage with these community services, rather than using emergency services (i.e. police, paramedic services, emergency departments). In addition, this organization can work with the individual to create a personalized safety and crisis plan that promotes self-management.