The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Nipissing Regional Branch is commending the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) for its $70,000 investment in the People for Equal Partnership (PEP) in Mental Health program.
The NE LHIN announced funding for PEP, a partner agency of CMHA, as part of a larger $539,000 investment in local mental health and addictions services and housing supports. During the NE LHIN’s November 22, 2017th announcement, Kate Fyfe, the LHIN’s interim chief executive officer, acknowledged how difficult it is for people in the community to access mental health and addiction services and that the new funds will help says a news release from the CMHA.
“We welcome the investment of $70,000 to our partner agency PEP as it will provide additional peer support for our supportive housing program at 416 Lakeshore,” said Jenny Leblond, Executive Director of CMHA, Nipissing Regional Branch. “We are very proud of our unique housing model as it is the only one like it in the province and we are grateful to the NE LHIN and PEP for their commitment to its success.”
416 Lakeshore uses a “shared-community” model that offers 20 individualized, self-contained, furnished units. The facility provides communal areas and activities to promote social opportunities that help lessen the possibility of isolation and loneliness. CMHA Nipissing believes that housing for adults living with mental illness is most successful when recovery is personal and individualized. This housing model acknowledges that some people prefer to live with others while having space of their own.
“Investments like this represents a significant step in narrowing the funding gap that has been experienced by our sector for decades,” said Leblond. “CMHA at a national, provincial and local level, believes that housing is a fundamental human right. This funding will ensure some of the most vulnerable in our community find the homes they deserve.”
