Mental Health Week 2021
In recognition of Mental Health Week, May 3-9, 2021, The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board would like to take a moment to recognize the important work being done in our district. We continue to advocate for long-term partnerships to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our communities.
Though TBDSSAB is not a mental health service provider, we recognize that mental health is especially poor in individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. As an organization, we are dedicated to helping individuals become self-sufficient—a vision that cannot be realized without supporting mental health.
Earlier this year, we announced 19 initiatives funded by TBDSSAB through one-time, short-term provincial funding to provide additional supports to individuals struggling with mental health and addictions issues. This funding helped TBDSSAB build important partnerships and support organizations with operational costs for initiatives that impact individuals experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. While we are honoured that the province entrusted TBDSSAB with this funding, and we are proud of the initiatives that were funded, we are all too aware that more sustainable partnerships are needed for the health of the communities served by TBDSSAB.
At the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association conference this past January, the TBDSSAB Board of Directors advocated for long-term investments in supportive housing, and improved partnerships between the community housing and mental health and addictions sectors. We will continue to advocate for systemic change to improve the mental health of the communities we serve.
Thank you,
Lucy Kloosterhuis, Chair, TBDSSAB
William Bradica, CAO, TBDSSAB