Two groups whose efforts help people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges have been recognized by Island Health, as part of Mental Health Week (May 6-12).

Announced on Tuesday, May 7, the winners of the 2024 Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Community Service Awards are The Community-Led Crisis Response (CLCR) Team (part of the provincial Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) program) and the Imagine Studio Caf茅.

B次元官网网址淓very day in every community in B.C., we rely on front-line organizations B次元官网网址� especially their staff and volunteers B次元官网网址� to provide vital, lifesaving outreach and services to people who are struggling with mental health and addiction challenges,B次元官网网址� said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions. B次元官网网址淭he AVI-led Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT), and the Imagine Studio Caf茅 exemplify innovative community-based approaches that are making a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.B次元官网网址�

The CLCR is a program from AVI Health and Community Services and funded by the province through the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). CLCR team manager Lacey Mesley accepted the award, presented by Tasha McKelvey, clinical director of mental health and substance.

A team member with lived experience is priceless as having someone who understands what the person in crisis is going through makes all the difference, Mesley said.

B次元官网网址淚t signals to another human, B次元官网网址業 get it. I get it.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

CLCR has 26 members and hopes to expand soon, bringing more community-led crisis response teams to Greater Victoria and the whole of B.C.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to show up for people in their time of need, to walk alongside them or to walk with them in their experience,B次元官网网址� Mesley said.

Dorothy Morrison, managing director at Imagine Studio Cafe, received her award from John Braun, manager of the Victoria EPI program.

Imagine Studio Cafe is an independent business that helps those in need with an experiential and transformative learning space.

B次元官网网址淭hey provide an experiential and transformative learning space designed as an internship business program for young men and women of all cultures and abilities,B次元官网网址� Braun said.

Morrison has noticed that quite often, within conversations around mental health, there is an us and them mentality where people think that it will not affect them.

This is slowly transforming as more people are having open conversations about these challenges, and that change is on the way, Morrison said.

B次元官网网址淪ociety wants to change.B次元官网网址�

Mesely explained that mental health is a complex issue, and quite often, people are conditioned to call 911 if someone is having a mental health episode.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just an automatic response to that. I think it also comes from that place of being uncomfortable,B次元官网网址� added Mesely.

The Annual Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards were distributed at Umbrella Society Offices in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淭he Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards are a great way to recognize and thank the people and organizations dedicated to supporting people with mental health and substance use challenges.B次元官网网址� said Leah Hollins, Island Health board chair. B次元官网网址淭he CLCR Team and Imagine Caf茅 are instrumental in supporting people.B次元官网网址�

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