[April 1, Belle River, Ontario] – We are thrilled to announce that Lakeshore Community Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, a member of the Alliance for Healthier Communities, has received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for our Social Prescribing for Better Mental Health Project. This is part of the recently announced funding of 28 Ontario-based, Community Health Centres, Indigenous Primary Healthcare Organizations, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics and Community-governed Family Health Teams to support the implementation of social prescribing initiatives and enhance community-based mental health promotion programs.
“Social prescribing is about listening deeply, providing necessary supports, and empowering people to be co-creators in improving their own mental health and wellbeing, all while becoming more connected to their communities,” said Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health at the announcement. “As we work with provinces and territories to enhance our universal health care system and improve access to mental health and substance use supports, this funding will help enhance our capacity to improve mental health outcomes in communities across Ontario, particularly for populations that face barriers.”
Social Prescribing connects people with non-clinical programs and services to support their health and wellbeing. This can include access to arts, culture, nature, healthy food, housing and social connection, among other programs that can complement clinical care. It seeks to address people’s social needs through community partnerships that align with clients’ interests and goals.
“We know from our research that by supporting people to create social connections through social prescribing, we can help people improve their mental health and reduce the workload on primary care providers so they can see more patients,” said Sarah Hobbs, CEO of the Alliance for Healthier Communities about the project. “The positive impacts of social prescribing go well beyond each person’s individual health and wellbeing, for entire communities and the healthcare system at a wider level.”
Kate Bolohan, NP Lead, also spoke about the significance of this support for the Lakeshore Community NPLC and their community. “The Social Prescribing for Better Mental Health Project will allow us to work collaboratively with community partners to provide those people most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with social connection supports and mental health resources. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our community partners and to be able to provide our community with the support they need to thrive.”
For media inquiries or to learn more about the Social Prescribing Project, please contact Victoria Pizzuti, Health Promoter/Link Worker at Victoria.pizzuti@communitynplc.ca.
ABOUT THE LAKESHORE COMMUNITY NPLC
Lakeshore Community NPLC is a non-profit organization that provides primary health care services to individuals and families in the Municipality of Lakeshore. We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our patients and our community through a range of services, programs, and initiatives. As a member of the Alliance for Healthier Communities, we work collaboratively with community partners to address the social determinants of health and provide our patients with comprehensive, patient-centred care.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
The Alliance for Healthier Communities is the voice of a vibrant network of community-governed primary health care organizations that serve diverse communities across the province. These organizations share a commitment to advancing health equity through the delivery of comprehensive primary health care. https://www.allianceon.org
