Clear path for Gender Journeys
Ontario Trillium Foundation funding boosts program for transgender community
Zoey Carey credits Gender Journeys for steering her towards a brighter path.
“If it wasn’t for this group, I wouldn’t be here today,” the transgender female said after a $648,700 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge program was announced Monday.
The CMHA education and support worker from Port Hope began attending open groups about three years ago and credits the program, which began in 2013 thanks to an OTF seed grant, for helping her learn more about what she was going through.
“It’s just been a wonderful place to learn about the small things ... and make new friends,” she told those gathered for the morning announcement in the boardroom of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. “It’s just a loving and welcoming environment.”
Members of the transgender community and their families have worked hard for generations to get services many of us take for granted, CMHA director of programs and services and program representative Gordon Langill said.
The program targets social isolation as a result of stigma, internalized transphobia, discrimination, familial rejection, a lack of adequate supports, as well as limited access to trans-sensitive health care and knowledgeable service providers.
The new funding means the program can now offer 90 hours of service a week, up from 12, including offering programs for youth and training for organizations that want to become more trans-friendly, Langill told those gathered.
“Now we’re going to be able to do a much more significant job,” he said.
Available groups will include the Gender Journeys core group, Youth Gender Journeys, Beyond Gender Journeys, Family Support Group and Partner Support Group. Gender Journeys also offers drop-in programming and peer mentoring.
The CMHA was actually denied in its initial application to fund the program, CEO Mark Graham said, but after getting advice from OTF staff, were successful in a second round. Funding from another grant was moved to help bridge the program in the meantime.
Carey couldn’t be more grateful, knowing first-hand how it can help transgender, two-spirit and gender diverse individuals and those questioning their gender identity. “It gives people the opportunity to have a safe space and not have to worry about it not being there tomorrow.”
Now that she is in a “good place” in her own life, Carey is lending her voice to help other transgender individuals “not go down that dark road,” referring to the higher risk for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and persistent mental illness for those in social isolation.
“It’s just one of the things I get up for every day,” said the 34-year-old parent, who spoke candidly about losing a parent to suicide and nearly became a statistic herself.
Suicide rates are as high as 40 per cent in the transgender community, she said. “I want to see that number go down and I’m hoping that through Gender Journeys, that will happen.”
Her body didn’t match how Carey felt and Gender Journeys helped her when it comes to being more comfortable with herself – she made the full time transition about three years ago. Feb. 8 marked one year since her final surgery.
“I’ve never felt more comfortable with my body,” she said.
In the community, Carey hopes the program will help reduce negative views. “The less stigma there is, the more people will come out (for support).”
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister and Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal announced the funding, pointing out that it will impact more than 555 individuals. “That’s so important to us all. We build a society by building it together.”
The long-term goal of the Gender Journeys program is to make sure transgender individuals are supported to develop ongoing, flourishing social connections through their peers, families, allies, service providers and employers, officials stated.
NOTES: To access Gender Journeys, call the local CMHA at 705-748-6711 ext. 2100 or email genderjourneys@cmhahkpr.ca .... For more information about Gender Journeys, visit www.www. cmhahkpr.ca .