What does the provision of equitable mental health treatment look like in practice? How do we offer psychotherapeutic support to those who hear the terms “mental health”, “treatment” or “therapy” and are confused or rightfully untrusting? This presentation describes the journey of one mental health agency in Toronto to anchor its services in three distinct communities, capitalizing on pre-existing partnerships and neighbourhood-level relationships to provide prompt, low barrier mental health treatment to those who are most at risk of being missed (and misunderstood).
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the Community Outreach Intervention Initiative (COII) at the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health, a program that is redefining equitable access to mental health treatment for children, youth, and families in Toronto.
- Discover how collaborating with community services across sectors reduces barriers to treatment for some of our most vulnerable populations.
- Understand how this work supports broader changes in the culture and structure of our organization and drives system level change, explore creative ways of working with the context and environment, and how these can support long-term transformation for families- and organizations.
Presenters:
Lisa Ihnat (The Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health at SickKids)
Lisa is a registered psychotherapist and clinical supervisor for the Community Outreach and Intervention team at the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health. Lisa has a passion for helping families discover the innate playfulness, wisdom, and courage they have within them, as they navigate their complex emotional lives. Lisa has been developing programming within the centre aimed at breaking down barriers for families living in marginalized communities, to accessing much needed mental health support. She believes that mental health is synonymous with life itself, and mental health support should be brought to the many spaces where families are found.
Austin Safo (Youth Mentor – SickKids)
Austin is a dedicated Youth Mentor working in the Prevention and Early Intervention Services department at GH-CCMH at SickKids. Recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Award and trained in Mental Health First Aid, he has also received the Community Volunteer Service Award for his impactful work. Austin has emerged as a leading figure in his community, where he volunteers and works with youth from high-risk neighborhoods, using sports as a means of expression and facilitating access to mental health services provided by CCMH. Residing in a high-risk area himself, Austin’s personal experience enhances his ability to break down barriers between youth and mental health experts, effectively bridging the gap between services and those in need.
Zakia Tabassum (Youth Mentor – SickKids)
Zakia is a dedicated Youth Mentor at the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health (CCMH) at SickKids, where she has been making a positive impact for the past year. Zakia is deeply passionate about improving mental health education for young people and ensuring that mental health information is accessible to vulnerable communities. In her role, Zakia has been developing and facilitating workshops designed to equip students and adolescents with the tools and resources they need to navigate their daily challenges. She prides herself on her willingness to continuously learn and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the youth she serves. Zakia firmly believes that access to mental health care is a fundamental human right, and she is committed to breaking down barriers to ensure that all young people have the support they need to thrive.
