I stopped by this week to check in with Jen Dart, my co-worker from my days at the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce ten years ago. Jen is a great champion for our communities and is now a part of the Redd Fish Team in Ucluelet, which has a new store-front location where visitors can come by to learn about salmon restoration, lots for kids to do and they also serve great coffee!
Mood Disorders Society of Canada Meeting
It was a privilege to meet with representatives from Mood Disorders Society of Canada recently in Ottawa to discuss the important role of community organizations and peer support workers in helping Canadians with mental illnesses. They spoke about how the chronic underfunding of Canada’s mental health sector limits the ability of non-profit organizations to expand services and meet growing demand. We agreed that investing in community mental health organizations could reduce pressures on the healthcare system and help Canadians who are struggling. Finally, we talked about my Private Member’s Bill, C-414, which is pushing for parity between physical and mental health in our universal, public healthcare system. Canada is facing a mental health crisis and it’s clear we need systemic change so everyone can access care when they need it most.