An upcoming pilot project aims to create a virtual social gathering place to foster a sense of purpose and meaning for Victorians living with mental-health and addiction issues.
The Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program is set to launch June 24 and run until Oct. 3. It is offered by the Greater Victoria Psychosocial Rehabilitation Collaborative, which is made up of eight local organizations that serve those experiencing mental health challenges.
Participants can visit a virtual social-gathering place to make social connections, give or receive peer support and find out how to access education and employment services.
“Many people suffering from mental health [issues] are socially isolated,” said Rebecca George, the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program co-ordinator.
She said that the program came about following an independent review of psychosocial and rehabilitation services in the Greater Victoria area in 2015.
One of the primary recommendations from that report was the development and improved integration of social-gathering places. With the challenges in physical social gathering posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pilot has evolved into a virtual event.
“Most agencies allow for social opportunities in their program — but often it is run from the side of the desk,” said George. “Our program will be low-barrier and allow folks to hang out with their peers — people who understand living with mental health challenges. It will also provide support on navigating the range of evidence-based, recovery-oriented community services available to them.”
George stresses that the program is open to the public.
“We wanted it to be as low-barrier as possible to involve as many people as we can. The reason is that studies have shown that only 50 per cent of people who suffer from mental health issues reach out for help,” she said.
The drop-in format, with activities and peer engagement, is meant to attract participation by young adults and adults. The event is designed to be an easy entry into a host of community-based services, employment or educational opportunities.
Those presenting with serious mental-health challenges can be assisted by a collaborative mental health team.
The collaboration includes the Canadian Mental Health Association, B.C. Division; Connections Place; Cool Aid Society REES Program, Family Voices for Mental Wellness; Island Community Mental Health; Island Health, Mental Health and Substance Use; Mental Health Recovery Partners and the Umbrella Society.
“We are in a unique position in Victoria,” said George. “The mental-health providers in the city came together to see what they were doing well and see what gaps there were. They then created efficiencies to service delivery where possible.”
The Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program is funded by the Victoria Foundation, Green Shield Canada and the Canadian Mental Health Association with Island Health providing financial and in-kind support.
The pilot program will launch on June 24 and take place once a week until October 3. The virtual social gathering place program will be live for between one and a half and two hours each segment.
For more information, go to psrcollaborative.com.
