"It’s like a necklace…"
The pandemic shone a light on the importance of mental health awareness, and while many felt 2022 was a year of recovery, others continued to live in a state of crisis.
Recognizing these escalating needs in the community, VHA continued to prioritize specialized programming to reach several groups who are often overlooked and isolated when it comes to mental health support.
Clutter and Hoarding Support Therapy is one area where services were expanded. For years, VHA has been a leader in providing trauma-informed coaching support to those experiencing challenges with hoarding. The new “Buried in Treasures” Support Group takes that relationship a step further by connecting clients receiving these in-home services with others experiencing similar challenges.
Since the support group was launched in 2022, it has become an important space for clients to discuss their experiences and goals.
“38 years is a lot to cut down on and I’ve managed to do a lot thanks to the hoarding classes,” says Jurij Luciw, one of VHA’s clients.
Another longstanding program that has continued to make a great difference in the community is the Child and Family Mental Health Support Program.
This program serves low-income families with newborns, children aged 0-4 years and multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) and families requiring short-term assistance in caring for their children while they address various issues in their situation.
“Having a baby is not an easy job and coming home from the hospital knowing you’ll be doing everything by yourself is even harder,” says Client Anita Mensah, who immigrated to Canada alone and has a newborn son. She added that her husband’s immigration to Canada has been slowed down due to the pandemic, so she does not have any family nearby.
“But with the program, my baby and I are in good hands,” Anita shares.
Through the program, VHA Child and Family Support Worker Vivalda Lemos visits Anita and her son twice a week.
“I like to think that by helping Anita, she will one day be able to help another new mom. It’s like a necklace where one link connects to the next – by receiving, one day you are going to be able to give,” says Vivalda.
Vivalda’s work involves providing respite to new parents, focusing on the healthy development of the children, and connecting families with additional resources in the community.
“I feel like we are connected to a community,” says Anita. “VHA has been able to step into the role of my family temporarily so I don’t feel like I’m all alone.”