For over 30 years, HOPE Brant has been providing peer support, education and advocacy for people with mental illness as well as substance use disorders through various programs and initiatives.
Joanne Cleland, who is the centre’s general manager, described the organization and its weekend program.
“It’s a grassroots organization [and] it’s a consumer survivor initiative, so CSI for short…we are funded through Ontario health…we have drop-in programs that run every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 2:30…and all funding goes to these peer support programs…for Saturdays… we [typically follow an] activity plan, and there’s snacks and those who come in have an opportunity to chat and have a one-on-one with a peer specialist,” she said. “Sundays are not as structured [and they are geared towards] group peer support. Around one o’clock, the group sits together and we just support one another…so, if something is bothering someone or if someone is struggling with a symptom related to their illness, we can support them in this group setting. We have an amazing group here…and the program is really important because most mainstream services are closed on the weekends…another good thing is there are no wait times and it’s a walk-in program so you don’t need a referral to be a part of it.”
Another important program that the centre offers is called ‘We Care’, which has been running for the last 20 years.
“Every Friday we visit the mental health inpatient unit at the Brantford General Hospital [and] we offer hygiene kits…we find that people who are in crisis don’t have time to pack those hygiene items [and] we see a lot of homeless people that would not have the funds for those types of things,” she stated. “We then take time to talk about our programs and try to keep them connected…so when they’re being discharged, they know that they can come by and see us on the weekend, and feel that they’re not alone.”
Another component to the centre is its volunteer/employment program.
“A lot of times, we find that people that come to us haven’t worked in a number of years because of their illness…so we bring them on as volunteers and they volunteer with us for a period of time. They may volunteer at the drop-in program [which helps them] develop the skills and confidence that they need…so that they’re able to go back out and work in the community. Sometimes we hire the volunteers for our drop-in program too,” said Cleland.
Nevertheless, these programs have been a vital life-line to people across the community needing support.
“For me, one of the biggest highlights from these programs is how we see people grow. Somebody that may attend the drop-in program may come in at first with a lot of anxiety or is very shy and not socializing very well…but, within a few months, we can see the difference in them. It’s very rewarding to see that happen…and it’s also rewarding in that we have a program that’s offered on the weekends, because there’s otherwise not much for people to do and get support then,” she explained. “Also, they come into this environment where it’s stigma free, judgment free, and it’s a safe space. If they’re struggling with their mental health, and they’re having symptoms, they don’t have to worry about talking to somebody and being judged about it.”
Before coming to HOPE Brant, Cleland worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association, where she learned how great the stigmas were attached to mental health in society.
“I taught a lot of mental health first aid courses, assist courses, safe talk courses, and dealt with a lot of stigmas. I found that the general population’s perception is very wrong when it comes to mental illnesses [and] believing that it’s a choice…that depression is a choice, and people with depression are just lazy, when that’s absolutely not true. Mental illnesses are a medical conditions, just like cancer or heart disease are medical conditions,” she noted.
However, the centre, as Cleland maintains, has continually found ways to raise funds and one of which is through their annual Walk for Hope fundraising event.
“It’s now in its seventh year…the walk helps us raise funds to operate our drop-in program. Although the number of dollars has dropped in the last few years…we just try to keep putting the word out there [to] encourage sponsorship and donations. But we have been fortunate to have some great sponsors like Sinden Construction, who are one of our biggest sponsors… Millards, Brant Mental Health Solutions, Pathways to Hope, L.P. Dozer, and the Canadian Mental Health Association. But we always need more sponsors… and of course, we’re also always looking for walkers who can collect pledges for us too,” said Cleland.
Lastly, Cleland reinforced the importance of what HOPE Brant offers.
“It’s very empowering when you’re sitting around with a group of people that gets it…and understands each other…and as peer support workers, we’re not clinicians, nor are we psychiatrists, and we’re not doctors…we walk beside the person and we meet them where they’re at so they know that not alone, she said.
