‘Safe space’ signs go up … and barriers go
A rectangular sign in storefront windows in the Gibson-Landsdale neighbourhood is a new way to help break down barriers to accessing mental health services for local residents.
The decal tells passersby that these businesses and services are a Mental Health Safe Space — part of a pilot project by St. Joseph’s Healthcare and Mission Services designed to bring support to people where they live.
“There are wonderful services in Hamilton … but often the gap is taking that step to get access to them,” said David Higgins, president of St. Joseph’s Healthcare, at Wednesday’s launch. “Creating that safe space is really what this is all about.”
Staff at the locations, mostly along Barton Street, have been trained to provide information, help recognize and support someone in distress and introduce people to a community connector who can offer more support, re-
sources and assistance accessing services.
Sarah Moir, one of two support workers trained to be a community connector, understands the importance of a project like this.
The Hamilton woman with lived experience remembers having an “episode” in a local store.
“They could have been helpful but they were hurtful,” she recalled.
Mary McGowan is the owner of River Trading Company on Barton Street East — one of 10 businesses and services that are part of the program.
She and her brother moved their used bookstore to Hamilton after operating in Toronto for four years.
There, they felt part of the neighbourhood, but it took a little while to make those connections in Hamilton, she said.
They made it their personal project to greet area residents, and soon enough, they were receiving “hellos” themselves.
“I wanted to be part of the project because I feel like I’m part of the community,” McGowan said.
Thirty-four workers at Mental Health Safe Spaces have completed the community champion training program. Another 36 are waiting to be trained in September, said Fiona Wilson, a manager of the mental health and addiction program at St. Joe’s.
The project — believed to be the first of its kind in Canada — is funded through a $66,800 grant provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The idea came about from conversations with area residents about barriers they faced in accessing care, said Claire Kislinsky, a manager at St. Joseph’s Healthcare’s mental health and addiction program.
The hope is to expand the program to other local neighbourhoods.
For Amanda Pepin, the project is a “step in the right direction.”
The Gibson-Landsdale resident has experienced mental health challenges over the last 25 years and said she strongly supports an initiative like this to help people in the neighbourhood feel more secure.
“We’re very lucky to have our community be the beginning of something that could eventually go city-wide.”