IF YOU WANT TO GO FARTHER, GO TOGETHER
Partnering with Kelowna Community Resources to enhance mental health care
The most hidden and stigmatized health challenge, yet the one least talked about. Mental health issues continue to escalate across all populations, often left unseen until the point of crisis. To truly transform our mental health care system, we must extend our reach beyond the hospital to include preventative community programs.
And we must work together.
In 2022, our We See You campaign raised $1.7 million for local mental health resources and programs. It also brought key organizations and thought leaders together to collaborate, support, and reimage our mental health care system.
One of the organizations the Foundation is proud to partner with is Kelowna Community Resources (KCR). This charity offers programs and resources within community, employment, immigrant, and family & adoption services. Funding from the campaign has been allocated to KCR to help them weave trauma-informed counselling and enhanced mental health supports throughout their services.
“We’ve seen an increase in requests for counselling and other mental health supports,” shares Katelin Mitchell, Director of Services at KCR. “Thanks to the KGH Foundation and generous donors, hundreds of KCR participants struggling with their mental health have accessed supports to turn things around.”
As frontline human-service workers continue to encounter more volatile interactions and suicide ideation, KCR created a new Suicide Awareness and Crisis Response Training program. This training, made possible by the We See You campaign, has empowered over 100 community workers with the tools and resources to support those facing crises.
“One of the reasons my suicidal thoughts came back was because I was extremely lonely at school and barely had any friends. Now that I’ve talked to someone and got some things out, I feel lighter and much better. It’s not easy working with people who are contemplating suicide, but I can tell you want to help. Thank you so much for caring.” –Suicide Crisis Helpline caller
Interactions came into the Suicide Crisis Helpline last year
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people
Adults report moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety
Funding has also allowed KCR to hire individuals to fill in shifts for their Suicide Crisis Helpline that are difficult to fill with volunteers. Since the pandemic, calls have greatly increased and these additional paid shifts help ensure no calls from those contemplating suicide go unanswered.
But KCR also aims to help individuals before reaching these extremes. They also provide accessible supports to families with children aged 0-12 experiencing extreme levels of anxiety and dysregulation, as well as culturally appropriate counseling services specifically for immigrants and refugees with trauma.
“Our team is able to help more participants before they reach the point of crisis, and better equipped to deescalate those already in crisis,” shares Katelin. “The impact of this campaign on our most vulnerable participants is truly inspiring. It fills us with hope for their futures.”
By joining forces with community organizations, including KCR, we amplify our impact. Together, we can create a stronger and more holistic support system for those facing mental health challenges.
