Program Guide
BACKGROUND
In 2021, Mercy Mission Canada (now i-Impact) launched an in-depth community-based study that sought to understand systemic barriers to mental health support(s) encountered by Muslim families and youth in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The vast majority of studies surveying mental health support(s) for Muslim families and youth, consistently cite a lack of contextually sensitive services that are both inclusive and accessible[1]. The Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health found that 65% of Muslims surveyed reported at least moderate to high levels of distress, but less than 48% sought professional treatment in their lifetime.[2]
Among several key policy recommendations, our research concluded that facilitating and advancing access to culturally responsive mental health services is critical to supporting the wellness of marginalized communities. This recommendation is consistent with other research that describes providing culturally responsive services to racialized communities as integral to meeting the service provisions and mental health needs of the population.[1,2]
Most importantly, the community-based study validated the need for culturally responsive mental health support(s) in communities, highlighting the need for greater access to trained and knowledgeable professionals who can help families navigate the intricacies of the mental health system.
THEORY OF CHANGE
The research strongly suggests that mental health advocacy network(s) are critical to communities and their ability to thrive. Advancing and encouraging advocacy efforts gives people the opportunity to connect through conversation, validating the challenges they face in their own communities. Mental health advocacy strives for recovery and, in doing so, considers the wellness of the whole person.[3]
The Mental Health Commission of Canada quoted advocacy as embodying, “a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful … It is about understanding another’s situation empathically.” [3] The data across numerous qualitative and quantitative studies validate that personal support can be both an effective prevention strategy and moderate the effects of distress in communities.[4,5,6,7] Research also indicates that finding personal support within one’s community can help a person manage and control their symptoms, reduce hospitalization, offer social support and improve quality of life.[3,7]
Mental health advocacy not only considers listening to, interacting with, and supporting others, but actively supporting individuals in the long-term.[3] Research tells us this authenticity engenders a shift in attitude and results in greater feelings of empathy and connectedness than what normally occurs in a patient-therapist relationship. [3,8,9,10]
It is clear that social exclusion can be a barrier to recovery. Honouring diversity and cultural sensitivities can strengthen relationships within communities.
Indeed, “an awareness of the historical context of mental illness serves as a foundation for understanding the legacy of oppression and discrimination out of which current trends in … support developed.” [3]
Therefore, our theory of change relies on an informed perspective that identifies and addresses barriers to wellness as communal and/or systemic issues. This holistic paradigm provides the foundation for mental health education and support while also highlighting the novelty of our approach.
Hence, Taskeen Wellness is committed to providing culturally responsive education and mentorship to parents, youth, and community leaders who want to broaden their skill set as wellness advocates and support the mental well-being of their community.
WHAT IS A WELLNESS ADVOCATE?
Wellness advocates respond to the needs of their community by actively supporting, encouraging, and fostering constructive behaviours that strengthen the mental health and wellness of their community at large. Wellness advocates are committed to supporting the well-being of their community by connecting people to the appropriate mental health services and providers, while concurrently providing support.
THE PHASES OF OUR PROGRAM
Our program consists of four (4) phases—
Phase 1 – Getting to know your community—forming focus groups
Our strategy is community-oriented and includes the formation of several different focus groups in target communities. Individuals who are interested in supporting the mental health and well-being of their community as wellness advocates are encouraged to join our focus groups. Building focus groups gives our clinical team the opportunity to learn more about the issues that are specific to your community.
Phase 2 – Marketing – Building cohorts
Taskeen Wellness is looking to market and establish both parent and youth cohorts in communities through campaign efforts and community engagement. Respective cohorts would take part in a series of informative, culturally responsive workshops and coaching sessions directed by our team of clinical professionals.
Phase 3 – Delivering core program
Our core program consists of several modules and educational sessions that address a specific scope of key mental health challenges, such as anxiety, mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Wellness advocates have the opportunity to engage in our coaching sessions and pose questions on nuanced issues in their community to trained mental health professionals. These sessions teach wellness advocates how to respond appropriately to crisis situations and develop essential self-help skills.
Phase 4 – Building a Community of Care
Bridging
Taskeen Wellness is committed to building a community of care for those participating in our program. Our bridging sessions expose wellness advocates to a network of mental health and social support resources. These sessions are designed to address caregiver burnout and connect participants to other advocates and providers in the community. According to the Canadian Mental Health Commission, learning more about resilience and self-care allows people to actively support their communities and maintain their own health while navigating potentially stressful situations. These sessions strengthen the ability to discuss with others what is most appropriate and effective for their well-being. [3]
Case Management
Inclusive case management resources are a key part of the broader continuum of mental health programs and services. The bridging sessions provided by Taskeen Wellness enable our clinical team to identify situations that require case-to-case management and respond appropriately. The provision of accountable, evidence-based, and accessible case management support is consistent with our goal(s) at Taskeen Wellness.
If you are interested in learning how to partner with Taskeen Wellness to run a Wellness Advocate program in your community, please contact us.
References
[3] Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2013). “Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support.” Accessed July 16, 2022. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/resource/making-the-case-for-peer-support/.
[6 ] Dumont, J.M. Jones, K. (2002). Findings from a consumer/survivor defined alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. Outlook. pp. 4-6.
[7] Resnick, S. G., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2010). Who attends Vet-to-Vet? Predictors of attendance in mental health mutual support. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 33(4), 262–268. https://doi.org/10.2975/33.4.2010.262.268
[8] Sandra G. Resnick, Robert A. Rosenheck. (2008). Integrating Peer-Provided Services: A Quasiexperimental Study of Recovery Orientation, Confidence, and Empowerment. Psychiatric Services. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.59.11.1307
[9] Ochocka, J., Nelson, G., Janzen, R., Trainor, J. (2006). A Longitudinal Study of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Initiatives: Part III – A Qualitative Study of Impacts on New Members. Journal of Community Psychology, 34, pp. 273-283.
[10] Coatsworth-Puspoky, R., Forchuk, C., Ward Griffin, C. (2006). Peer Support Relationships: An Unexplored Interpersonal process In Mental Health. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 13, pp. 490-497.