Sandy Hill Community Center (SHCC)

Sandy Hill Community Center (SHCC)

Sandy Hill Community Center (SHCC)

Introduction

SHCC, located in Ottawa, provides comprehensive services related to substance abuse and addiction. Their services are eligible to individuals and families. The organization acknowledges the importance of good health and wellbeing. As a result, it aims at equipping individuals with the resources they require to stay free from ailments. Issues such as poverty and family violence escalate ailments by making the victims suffer for extended periods. Empowering individuals to take charge of their health is a proven way of alleviating the impact from ailments. The core values upheld by the organization include respect, empathy, and collaboration amongst others. These values are integral to its mission. To achieve its mission, SHCC collaborates extensively with Ottawa Public Health (OPH). Even though SHCC provides comprehensive primary care, the partnership with OPH mainly targets individuals suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse disorders. This partnership manifests through the sharing of resources such as knowledge and personnel. Ultimately, it aids the two entities to achieve their aims while simultaneously improving the health outcomes of the community.

Partnership Details

Entities Involved

The partnership involves the SHCHC and OPH. The former is a health and social services provider, whereas the latter is a municipal public health agency responsible for protecting the health of Ottawa’s population through. Both entities achieve their objectives through various initiatives aimed at addressing substance abuse and mental health issues.

Community Benefits

The benefits experienced from this partnership are two-fold. First, the community members benefit from improved health outcomes. According to Alsuhaibani et al. (2021), physical exercises reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, they help in improving the wellbeing of members. While engaging in physical exercises, endorphin is released. These chemicals are mood filters that help individuals to relax, thereby reducing the chances of depression and anxiety (Birtel, Wood & Kempa, 2017). These two benefits combined are particularly helpful for individuals suffering from substance abuse and other addictions. They provide a platform for them to engage in other activities that keep them busy and lessen their chances of entertaining their addictions.

Benefits to the Target Client Population

According to Birtel, Wood & Kempa (2017), addiction victims face stigma that discourages them from seeking help. They are apprehensive of what other people may think of them. Consequently, they may fail to seek help. Nonetheless, the service provided by the two entities address this by providing a safe space where the individuals can come and meet other people suffering from similar issues. This aspect is of utmost significance as it ensures that the people needing help can seek it and begin the transformation process (Priester et al., 2016).

Operational Mechanics

The partnership is epitomized by meetings and joint sessions where the members brainstorm on initiatives that will help improve the health outcomes of the members.  These initiatives include harm reduction programs, mental health workshops, and substance abuse prevention campaigns, and are tailored to suit the distinct attributes of the clients. Data is shared between the entities in a transparent manner to ensure that they are fully cognizant of the member needs. Besides, the partnership seeks data from the community members as it helps them identify individuals at risk or ones that are suffering in silence (Webber, Clark & Kelly, 2016). Particularly, the partnership aims at supporting individuals who may face barriers in accessing help.

Barriers to Accessing Treatment

Prevalent Barriers and Contributing Factors

Stigma is perhaps one of the most salient issues preventing individuals from seeking help. This factor is dictated by human nature. Most people are afraid of being judged. This is particularly evident since most societies have negative attitudes towards these issues (Alsuhaibani et al., 2021). For instance, the society often perceive these issues to be personal failures. They are not regarded as medical conditions. This is a wrong perception that acts as an obstacle to individuals that may want to seek help. Additionally, may people suffering from these medical conditions are often in denial regarding their situation. Even though they may acknowledge they have a problem, they may underestimate the severity of the issue. This prevents them from seeking the much needed help.

Addressing Barriers

The above partnership aids in reducing the aforementioned barriers. This can be exemplified by the health initiatives undertaken that involve media campaigns to educate the public on the seriousness of substance abuse addiction and mental health issues. The public are informed that these medical conditions should not be regarded as personal failures. This helps in making them more accommodative towards individuals suffering from them. Furthermore, the initiatives increase awareness amongst individuals. This allows them to notice signs of these conditions and take the necessary actions. For instance, individuals are provided with screening tools that help them identify their need for help. To address stigma, the partnership provides remote access to mental health resources that individuals can seek without coming physically to the centre. This helps individuals who by their nature are keen on what other people think of them (Birtel, Wood & Kempa, 2017).

Recommendations for Further Improvements

Public campaigns highlighting substance abuse and mental health issues should be intensified on various platforms including social media. During these campaigns, success stories of individuals who sought help and overcame their issues should be highlighted as it would entice individuals to come forward. Once more people are aware of the severity of the issue, they will aid by identifying people that may need help and encouraging them to seek help. Telehealth resources should also be increased to allow people seeking help to do so from the comfort of their homes. For instance, online communities can be formed where individuals can seek for advice anonymously (Priester et al., 2016). This may help prevent the medical conditions from escalating to acute levels. The element of privacy will encourage many individuals to seek help that will help them address their respective issues.

Advocacy Efforts

Upstream Ottawa supports individuals affected by mental illness. This is achieved through advocacy and community-based services. SHCHC and OPH themselves are engaged in advocacy efforts and lobbying for increased funding. Moreover, they participate in public health campaigns to destigmatize mental health and addiction issues.

Conclusion

This collaboration constitutes an essential element within the mental health and addiction services framework in Ottawa. Through synergistic efforts, these entities augment service delivery, enhance access to care, and furnish holistic support to individuals requiring assistance. Despite the persisting obstacles to treatment access, the partnership’s initiatives represent significant advancements toward a more inclusive and efficacious healthcare system. Addressing these impediments necessitates ongoing commitment, community involvement, and sustained advocacy. This will guarantee that all individuals can obtain the support they require.

References

Alsuhaibani, R., Smith, D. C., Lowrie, R., Aljhani, S., & Paudyal, V. (2021). Scope, quality and inclusivity of international clinical guidelines on mental health and substance abuse in relation to dual diagnosis, social and community outcomes: a systematic review. BMC psychiatry, 21(1), 209.

Birtel, M. D., Wood, L., & Kempa, N. J. (2017). Stigma and social support in substance abuse: Implications for mental health and well-being. Psychiatry research, 252, 1-8.

Priester, M. A., Browne, T., Iachini, A., Clone, S., DeHart, D., & Seay, K. D. (2016). Treatment access barriers and disparities among individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders: an integrative literature review. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 61, 47-59.

Webber, A., Clark, J., & Kelly, D. (2016). Treating substance abuse and mental health issues as ‘mutually‐exclusive’entities: Best practice or an outmoded approach to intervention?. International journal of mental health nursing, 25(1), 27-32.

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