Coast Mental Health

The popular Festive Treat Boxes from Coast Mental Health’s social enterprise. Social Crust Café, are available for purchase until December 20! Get yours before they’re all gone: https://lnkd.in/eZEep24f Each box is packed with handcrafted seasonal goodies made with love by the students from our Young Adult Culinary Training Program, which supports young people living with mental illness who are experiencing barriers to employment by providing job-ready skills. The treat box project was launched in 2020 to support our students and engage with the community. It quickly became a success, creating new learning opportunities and jobs for students, while spreading holiday cheer throughout the community. #TreatBoxProject #FestiveTreats #YoungAdultCulinaryTraining #SocialCrustCafe

A reminder that you have the power to make a difference today with one simple word: Hello! 👋 Look someone in the eyes. Just say hello. Show them they matter. This #GivingTuesday give the gift of connection! #JustSayHello

“I think if people started by saying hi to them, they would see what a positive response they’ll get back.” This #GivingTuesday give the gift of connection, and #JustSayHello to someone in your community today.   “We make coffee and sandwiches, we prepare the cart and we make sure we have everything like harm reduction supplies, dog food, condoms, tampons, toothbrushes, shoes. And then we usually walk around try to talk to people.” Peer Support Workers are folks with lived experience of mental illness, who are trained to support their peers as they go through their journey of recovery. Through the City of Vancouver’s ‘Better Together’ program, some of Coast’s Peer Support Workers offer connection and support to unhoused folks in Vancouver. Sometimes they #JustSayHello “It is amazing to see them light up” one member explains. This is just one of the many programs at Coast, like Outreach, which, thanks to donor support, create connections with folks who need it.

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are reminded of the stark reality that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by mental illness. In fact, adults with disabilities report experiencing mental distress almost five times as often as those without. At Coast Mental Health, we support hundreds of people living with mental illnesses across Greater Vancouver, many of whom also live with one or more disabilities. While isolation, accessibility issues, and social stigma are some of the root causes of higher mental illness rates in people with disabilities, there are ways to reduce these barriers and get the supports needed. Some of these include: - Connecting with others who have similar experiences through a community or online group - Finding purpose and meaning through hobbies, volunteering, or flexible employment - Therapeutic Interventions such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy - Creative outlets such as gardening, art, music, and writing - Advocating for yourself by knowing and asserting your rights to get the accommodations you need Today and every day, we support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityAwareness #IDPD24

"I really like working on the Street Clean Team, because people will come to us on the street and they'll say thank you - or hi - or they'll wave at us. It makes me feel like I have a purpose." Join us and #JustSayHello to someone today. You have the power to make someone's day!

As we approach #GivingTuesday Joe Roberts 🛒 Skidrow to CEO - and former Courage To Come Back recipient - has a challenge for all of us: *Just Say Hello.* Ask someone their name. Make eye contact. Thank you Joe for reminding us about the power of human connection! Will YOU join us and #JustSayHello ?

Do you know the power of a simple hello? People in all walks of life feel lonely… - Someone experiencing homelessness could go days without a single human interaction. - A new mother might feel hopelessly alone in the early days of parenthood - Someone living with mental illness or substance use disorder might face stigmas that isolate them - Someone having an off day might feel like the world is against them - A senior person living alone might only ever speak to the cashier at their supermarket YOU have the power to change someone’s day, with a simple smile and Hello. Here at Coast Mental Health, we are built around community. That’s why this #GivingTuesday, we’re encouraging you to give the gift of connection: Just Say Hello. Smile at your neighbours, say hello to someone on the bus, take out your headphones and chat to someone in the check-out line. Just Say Hello. You don’t know the impact you could have on that person’s day! Please share our post to help create a wave of 'Hellos' this week. #JustSayHello #CommunityMentalHealth

We are so inspired to see Coast's community members undertaking such an important initiative. Thank you, Melanie and Ted, for making such a huge difference in the lives of others who are tragically unhoused this winter season and in need of everyone's kindness and support. https://lnkd.in/g97cMhyj

Congratulations to Coast's Chief HR Officer Deborah Maynard, MBA, CPHR, (she/her), who was recently honoured as one of the top 100 HR leaders across the world by Human Resources Director Asia!

“I’m more than my addiction,” a powerful reminder from clients in Coast Mental Health's Rehabilitation & Recovery Program this National Addictions Awareness Week. The program, which offers continued treatment and support services, recently honoured clients at a gala for their progress, achievements, and determination – some of whom appear in this video, created with their Peer Support Worker. As we recognize the importance of recovery programs, remember: each person has a unique story that goes beyond addiction. Everyone matters. #AddictionsAwareness #RecoveryJourney #nationaladdictionsawarenessweek