Women's Mental Health and Addictions Action and Research Coalition
WMHAARC works to improve the quality of life for women within the mental health and addictions systems, to increase public awareness of women's needs and to advocate for system change on all levels of service delivery.
With over 140 members, WMHAARC is a coalition of women who use mental health and addiction services, service providers and representatives of community organizations.
Dedicated to action oriented, community based research; WMHAARC has been involved in the following projects:
· Barriers to the Implementation of Gender Sensitive Policy and Principles of Service in Ontario's Mental Health System (Phase 1) July 2001
· Kitchen Table Talks: Evaluating the Experiences of Women within the Mental Health System Since Reform (Phase 2), July 2002
· The Woman Abuse Screening Protocol Project has worked to introduce the use of an abuse screening protocol in Addictions and Mental Health agencies. The introduction of the protocol to screen for woman abuse has helped front line service providers to:
Identify women who have experienced or are experiencing abuse/trauma
Increase recognition of abuse/trauma and the impact it has on health
Improve linkages to, relations with and awareness of violence against women services
Increase skill and competency of service providers to effectively respond to and support women who have experienced abuse
· The Dreamcatchers Project gathered information from people who work with First Nations' women within the Mental Health and Addictions field.
- WMHAARC identified the need for, conducted community feasibility and planning and subsequently founded “My Sisters' Place”- Transitional Support Program for Women who are Homeless and/or at risk of homelessness.
My Sisters’ Place became part of Women’s Mental Health Resources which amalgamated with WOTCH Community Mental Health Services in 2004. My Sisters' Place, now under the umbrella of WOTCH, is a woman specific mental health and addictions program which offers a safe day-space for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, provides an array of individual and group supports, programs and basic needs such as a daily hot meal, clothing, laundry, showers, day beds and personal/hygiene products.
18 community agencies partner with My Sisters’ Place to provide services on site:
- Addiction Services of Thames Valley – Heartspace
- AIDS Committee of London
- At^Lohsa Native Family Healing Services
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre
- London Abused Women’s’ Centre
- London Cares
- London City Police – Persons at Risk Program
- London Intercommunity Health Centre
- London Mental Health Crisis Service
- Mission Services of London
- Ontario Works
- Salvation Army
- Sexual Assault Centre of London
- Sisters of St. Josephs
- Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
- Thames Valley Midwives
- Women’s Community House
WHAT'S NEW WITH WMHAARC
- A Speaker’s Series is being planned by WMHAARC for the fall 2008. First date is Monday, September 22nd at 3pm and will feature Sheryl Manzara and her daughter Jessica Manzara who traveled with Women’s Community House to El Salvador. Information about other speakers will be forthcoming.
- National Conference on Women and Homelessness was announced to be held in 2010 in London, Ontario and co-hosted by WMHAARC, My Sisters’ Place and WOTCH. Stay tuned for upcoming information.
- Woman Abuse Screening Protocol – WMHAARC has submitted a proposal to the Trillium Foundation for a provincial grant to pilot the woman abuse screening in locations around Ontario.
- “No Wrong Door” A workshop to build community connection for women with mental health, addiction and abuse issues; held June 10, 2008 in Owen Sound, Ontario for the Grey Bruce area. WMHAARC presented their research and experience.
- A community forum entitled “Building Community; Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System” took place June 9, 2008 and attracted an attendance of seventy from a cross section of agencies and individuals from South Western Ontario. Local service providers spoke as part of a panel presentation about the barriers for the women they serve, who are involved in the Criminal Justice System. Key note speaker, Kim Pate, National Director of Elizabeth Fry Societies spoke of the unique issues and concerns facing incarcerated women, citing the release that day of the Ashley Smith report (www.elizabethfry.ca) with its recommendations. Elizabeth Fry Societies are found across Canada, they are self governing and community based. They work with and for women and girls in the justice system particularly those who are or may be criminalized. Some action committees were formed to respond to issues discussed. Notes from the day are being compiled and will be posted on this website.
|
OF INTEREST
- Interrelationship Conference was held in London, Ontario October 31, 2007, working towards integrated mental health, addiction and woman abuse services. Updated manual is now available for download.
- Author Susan Scott of “All Our Sisters”, spoke in London, Ontario October 30, 2007; sharing the story of the over sixty homeless women she interviewed across Canada. To check out a book review, check out the January February 2008 Canadian Walrus magazine (www.walrusmagazine.com).
- The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, chaired by Senator Kirby, produced it's final report, Out of the Shadows at Last; Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada on June 9, 2006.
Women's mental health, mental illness and addictions experts and advocates have expressed deep concern over the absence of any gender analysis in the report.
The Ad Hoc Working Group on Women, Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addictions was informally and spontaneously convened by the Canadian Women's Health Network (CWHN) and the Centres of Excellence for Women's Health (CEWH) in anticipation of the Senate Committee's report. Their document Women, Mental Health and Mental Illness and Addiction in Canada: An Overview was prepared prior to the tabling of the Committee's Final Report on May 9, 2006, and responds to interim reports tabled in 2005. It provides information about issues in women's mental health, illness and addictions and makes recommendations for the next steps.
