At-risk individuals seeking to transition into housing or more permanent housing on the North Shore will have access to a broader range of mental health services, thanks to a large grant from TD Bank.
Lookout Housing and Health Society, which operates the North Shore’s primary emergency housing shelter in the Mosquito Creek area, says it will receive $300,000 over three years through a TD corporate responsibility initiative.
The services, which Lookout's housing clients can access, can include psychiatric referrals, clinical counselling, peer support groups and mental health art programs. The services are improved by eliminating costs – counselling, for example, is not covered by MSP – and by reducing barriers through expedited access, explained Megan Kriger, director of development with Lookout.
“Moving from a shelter or the street into housing is a tough transition on its own,” she said. “Now add the added anxiety that comes with the stigma of homelessness. Add the unaddressed mental health challenges that arise when we are in fight-or-flight mode living day to day without a roof over our heads. Add the fear that creeps in when we have to make a significant life change."
“These can all make the transition to housing that much more difficult,” Krieger added. “When we have the right supports in place, and we can provide our guests with not just a place to live but also the network of supports needed to make the transition feel safe, then we can change lives.”
