Helping mental health step out of the shadows
Mike Gawliuk is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Foundry Initiative in Kelowna, the innovative one-stop clinic for youth to access mental-health help.
“I was part of the provincial working group three years ago that led to the announcement of five community pilot sites for the Foundry Initiative,” said Gawliuk, the director of service delivery and program innovation at the Kelowna chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Notice how innovation is in his job title, and the Foundry Initiative is touted as being the future for mental health service delivery.
“I was also the funding lead for the application to bring the Foundry Initiative to Kelowna,” said Gawliuk “and I’ve taken the lead to the collective’s opening since it was announced by Premier Christy Clark in Kelowna on Dec. 15.”
The Foundry Initiative will open in late spring in the refurbished space at the former Interior Health financial services offices at 1815 Kirschner Rd. It will bring 25 partner organizations under one roof to help youth aged 12 to 24 and their families with mental illness issues. There will be doctors and counsellors on hand and access to a ream of service from help finding housing and employment to getting substance abuse and education assistance.
Services now are spread out. Bringing them together for youth and their families to access by simply walking in or being referred by their family, doctor or school is seen as a huge step in simplifying treatment for mental illness.
It was John West, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s youth transitions navigator in Kelowna, who nominated Gawliuk for Top Forty Over 40.
Gawliuk and West had previously worked together at Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs for five years and for the past three years have worked side-by-side at the mental health association.
“John felt my name should be put forward so the Foundry Initiative could be recognized too,” said Gawliuk.
Gawliuk also thinks his nomination comes at a time when people are talking about mental illness and mental health like they never have before.
“The stigma associated with mental illness is being shed and it’s being brought out of the shadows,” he said. “Mental illness should be discussed, regarded and treated just like any other illness from diabetes to cancer. In the past, the stigma has gotten in the way of people seeking help and getting better.” Yet, there’s still a long way to go. “There’s still stigma,” he said. “People have to realize mental illness is a health care concern, not a personal weakness, not a personal failure. When it’s considered such, there will be adequate resources and adequate funding so the issue can be addressed and people can be treated properly.”
If there’s early intervention and treatment, most of those who suffer with a mental illness can go on to lead healthy and productive lives. Since early intervention is key, the Foundry Initiative for youth is seen as a breakthrough. Evidence of people who’ve struggled with mental illness all their lives without proper treatment and support can be seen on the streets and in jails. An estimated 80 per cent of those who abuse substances, are homeless and-or are in jail also struggle with mental illness.
“That’s why it’s important we have Housing First, which helps the chronically homeless,” said Gawliuk. “In the past six months, we’ve found homes for 12 people who’ve been homeless for years and wrapped support around them in terms of mental health assessment and treatment, food security and help finding a job.”
Outside of work, Gawliuk spends as much time as possible with his 14-year-old son and his partner and her three children.
Editor’s note: Every week in this space with Top Forty Over 40 we profile a businessperson over the age of 40 who is having a great career and giving back through mentoring and volunteering.
The series is presented by BDO Accountants and Consultants, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and The Daily Courier.
If you know of a deserving over 40 you'd like to nominate, send an email to TopForty@KelownaChamber.org.
“My son is 14 and big into music, so we play the guitar together,” he said. “I’m also a huge hockey fan, so I have season tickets to the Rockets.”
Gawliuk also mountain bikes and exercises outdoors as much as possible, because fresh air and activity are a huge part of mental health.