Getting a son ‘back into life’

Families unite to fill in gaps on mental health

The first time her son was discharged from a hospital after a mental-health breakdown, Jackie Powell had no idea where to turn for help.

“It was a real challenge getting him back into a life,” Powell said. “It’s hard to find the help you need when all the services are in bits and pieces everywhere.”

This is why four years ago Powell and other parents with children with mental-health issues banded together to form Moms Like Us. That group was the beginning of what is now a campaign to build Connections Place, a community centre-style clubhouse and program for mental-health services and support.

“We really need a holistic program and place for people like my son and others to go and get the help they need,” said Powell, whose son is now 26 and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

People who use the clubhouse would be members, not clients, she said. They would be connected with services right out of the hospital and helped with everything from paperwork and housing to jobs and social programs.

Connections Place has a board of directors and a growing group of community supporters. It was recently the recipient of a $24,000 grant from the 100 Women Who Care Victoria group.

Powell said they plan to make the centre part of the Clubhouse International network, a nonprofit global network of 330 clubhouses started in New York City in 1948. She said the clubhouse in Richmond, called Pathways, is well supported and successful.

“The return of investment there for the community has been incredible. That’s our model,” Powell said.

The group needs to raise at least $1.5 million and find a facility for the clubhouse that meets the network’s standards.

Hazel Meredith, executive director of B.C. Schizophrenia Society Victoria, said there is always a need for better services for people with mental illness.

“We’d like to see some capability of linking people to the support services that are out there, especially peer support,” Meredith said. “There is a gap in services. There’s the bricks and mortar, but also the linking to community-based settings, whether it’s community centres or coffee shops.”

For more information on Connections Place, go to connectionsplace.org.