Edmonton Social Planning Council

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  • Community Matters (March 2023) — Literacy: In Its Many Forms

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    Note: This is excerpted from the March 2023 edition of our Community Matters publication. 

    Welcome to the Spring Edition of our quarterly publication, Community Matters.

    Community Matters aims to inform the community about social issues that impact citizens and connect the dots between social issues, evidence, and policy. We aim to use this space to give a voice to local agencies, ESPC volunteer writers, and staff members alike.

    Each edition spotlights a specific social issue and demonstrates the intersectional nature and impacts on equality. Our goal is to use evidence and the voices of the people as we continue to inform on the issues affecting individuals, families and our community.

    For the current edition, we are focusing on literacy in all its forms. When it comes to the work around poverty reduction and elimination, just as food security, housing security, income security, and others are integral strategies, so too is literacy and the positive impact it has on alleviating poverty. There is great work happening in our community around literacy, but part of affecting change is continuing to keep the conversation going.

    Literacy in its many forms, impacts nearly all facets of our lives and this issue of Community Matters strives to touch upon some of the varying intersections that literacy takes. This includes articles on digital literacy, cultural literacy, health literacy, physical literacy, legal literacy, as well as policy literacy and impacts on the wider educational system. All of these provide illumination on the various ways in which literacy is so crucial to navigating our complex society and how it helps people thrive.

    Improving literacy rates for marginalized populations means you are more likely to find and keep a job, attain education (particularly higher education), and participate meaningfully in communities and, more broadly, in democracy. With improved literacy rates comes a more empowered, educated, and healthier society.

    In Canada, nearly half (49%) of the adult population struggles to some extent with literacy, and we must work towards closing this gap.

    We hope these articles bring about more attention to the ways in which attaining these different types of literacy helps to build a community in which all people are full and valued participants.

    -Susan Morrissey, Executive Director

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    COMMUNITY MATTERS – MARCH 2023

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  • CM: A New Community-Built, Community-Led Mental Health Strategy for Edmonton

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    By Giri Puligandla, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region

     

    The Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region are co-leading the development of a new community mental health strategy for Edmonton in partnership with the City of Edmonton. The strategy will involve a broad range of informants to guide a deep analysis of the current state and design a blueprint for a future system of community care for mental health and interrelated issues. A new governance structure will be established with people with lived experience and other affected community members in the lead. This structure will steward implementation of the strategy while ensuring accountability of service providers and funders to turn the blueprint into a reality.   

      

    People are confused and frustrated trying to get mental health supports in the community. 

    We hear the same stories today from people struggling to get help for their mental health struggles that we have heard for decades. People still do not know where to start the process or what the right thing to do is in a crisis. Many of the ideas that come to mind – like calling 911, going to the hospital, talking to a doctor, or seeing a psychologist – are hit-and-miss at best, harmful at worst, and are too often cause for people to stop trying. For example, some doctors may not adequately understand mental health issues, emergency personnel may not respond appropriately, and hospitals may be too backlogged. Even if by luck or privilege some initial help is received, getting to the next step may take someone right back to square one. A report by the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA, 2020) examining family experiences seeking care for children and youth, captured this snakes-and-ladders view of mental health services: 

    “It is an absolute nightmare, because you just finish with one service, and you’ve gone through this whole rigmarole. It’s taken months . . . and then you have to start all over again, because there’s no connect between the two services.” (HQCA, 2020, p. 11) 

    When someone is dealing with the weight of crisis or worry, the last thing anyone needs is a confusing and uncertain array of options, let alone getting an inappropriate response or being dropped from one service to the next. What people need is a clear view of their next steps and a reliable pathway that makes it easy to access support for the first time and get more or less support as needed afterwards.  

    There is no coordinated system for community-based supports to address mental health, addiction, or related issues. 

    So why don’t we already have this in place? It is certainly not due to lack of investment or strategic planning: over the years, there have been many strategies, initiatives, and plans accompanied by significant funding to address known gaps and increase services in community. However, these investments are usually not rolled out in a systematic way – there are many funders that each make their own resourcing decisions, and the organizations that receive the funding typically deliver these services on their own. Any coordination among funders or service providers is sporadic or limited. Most funding for key services is usually time-limited and constrained to less than the full amount needed to deliver the service reliably and sustainably. As evident in a Canadian Mental Health Association report (CMHA, 2022) on how the pandemic impacted community mental health organizations across Canada, our problems in Edmonton seem to resonate with other communities nationally: 

    “It’s these little pockets of money that are never enough to actually provide the service that is expected…you’re reporting on it, and then you’re starting the next round of proposals again because the year is up. And it’s very challenging to retain the quality employees in these programs when you can never promise them stability and it’s really difficult to be strategic in your work and to make plans when you’re year to year…” (CMHA, 2022, p. 17) 

    What has become evident from talking to many community leaders is that as much as we like to think we have a “mental health system”, there is no system to speak of. A system implies intentional design and thoughtfulness about interconnections among its parts. We couldn’t randomize the way services are distributed throughout the community any better if we meant to do it.  

    What complicates matters further is that the top-down view of governments, funders, and organizations shape issues through specific policies, initiatives, and programs, artificially disconnecting them (and services and resources) from the way they are experienced by people and communities. This historical pattern of institutional responses has produced a series of initiatives that focus narrowly on one segmented issue after another, layering new resources in communities but in a disorganized way. The irony is that the interconnections are painfully visible from the vantage point of lived experience: people who are struggling with mental health, addiction, suicide, violence, trauma, or social disorder are usually experiencing them as a combination of causes and effects, often compounding and exacerbating each other. Despite the interconnections plainly visible from the vantage point of lived experience, the historical pattern of institutional responses has produced a series of initiatives that focus narrowly on one segmented issue after another. Fortunately, the City of Edmonton’s Community Safety and Well Being Strategy (CSWB, 2022) and the Alberta Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council’s Alberta Model of Wellness (AMHAAC, 2022) represent approaches that address intersections among this constellation of issues.  

    Previous strategies have not put enough weight on community perspectives and lived experience. 

    The CSWB commits to a “a deliberate and concerted effort to put community at the centre” (CSWB, 2022, p. 3). The Alberta Model of Wellness elevates the importance of feeding individual experience into system (re)design: 

    “The experiences of individuals with lived and living experience of recovery, as well as their families, peers, allies and/or networks, are invaluable in informing the design and implementation of effective recovery-oriented care. Experiences should be inclusive of vulnerable and historically excluded groups.” (AMHAAC, 2022, p. 20) 

    What will make this new mental health strategy different – and more impactful – is that it will turn the usual power structure upside down: people with lived experience and community members will have the most influence in designing the future system of community care. This is a sharp contrast to the government, institutional, and service provision lenses that typically dominate the definition of both problems and solutions, with minimal involvement of the people who live them. The end result will be a system blueprint designed by community members that embodies how they experience the breadth of mental health and related issues and offers clear, predictable pathways to get support when, how, where, and from whom it makes the most logical sense through their healing journey and lifespan. 

    While the strategy is being built, the community-led governance structure will be established to bring it to fruition and guide its implementation. This will similarly blaze a new trail for Edmonton, giving direction-setting and decision-making authority to end-users and community members as the new system gets built. Change management will be critical to enabling the governance structure to lead strategy implementation because it depends on repositioning service provider organizations, institutions, funders, and governments as accountable to and in service of its direction. 

    Fundamentally, if we don’t fix the current situation and do it in the right way, the mental health and related issues that are visibly escalating in our city will have deep and long-lasting consequences on our families, communities, and economy. While we should have designed the system people needed a long time ago, sometimes adversity opens doors for thinking and action that can produce real transformation. That’s the hope, and why so many of us believe we can finally make it happen now. 

    Note: This is an excerpt from our December 2022 Community Matters, you can read the full publication here

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    References: 

    Alberta Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council (2022). Toward an Alberta Model of Wellness: Recommendations from the Alberta Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council. Government of Alberta. Retrieved from https://open.alberta.ca/publications/toward-an-alberta-model-of-wellness 

    Canadian Mental Health Association National Office (2022). Running on Empty: How Community Mental Health Organizations Have Fared on the Frontlines of the Pandemic. Retrieved from https://cmha.ca/brochure/running-on-empty-report/ 

    City of Edmonton (2022). Community Safety and Well Being Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/initiatives_innovation/community-safety-well-being-strategy 

    Health Quality Council of Alberta (2020). Parent and Guardian Experiences with Mental Health Services for Children and Youth. Retrieved from https://hqca.ca/mentalhealth 

     

     

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    1. fACT Sheet: 2023 Alberta Provincial Budget

      [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/fACT-Sheet.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the fACT Sheet (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#008ac1″ custom_margin=”||19px|||” custom_padding=”||5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

      Please note this is an excerpt from this fACT Sheet

      The 2023-24 Alberta budget, titled Securing Alberta’s Future, covers finances from April 1, 2023 until March 31, 2024. This is the fifth budget of the governing United Conservative Party (UCP) before the upcoming provincial election, scheduled for May 29, 2023. This budget seeks to address the high cost of living brought on by record high inflation as well as economic diversification, community safety, and reform of the health care system. 

      As with previous budgets, Budget 2023 boasts low taxation, which limits important investments in public services that support Albertans. If Alberta had the same tax structure as the next lowest taxed province (Ontario), the government would generate an additional $19.7 billion in revenue (2023-24).* 

      This fACT Sheet will focus on developments related to social programming that impact those living in low-income and poverty. Investments that positively impact marginalized populations result in long-term savings in other public services, such as health care and the criminal justice system, and increase the overall well-being of our communities. 

      [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

    2. Blog: Space for Mental Health in Social Policy

      [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

      Over the years, mental health has become part of the daily conversation for many, and there is a need for social policies that create collaboration space to improve human well-being. 

      By Eanimi Deborah Agube, ESPC Volunteer

       

      Introduction 

      Although the term Mental Health has become more popular and acceptable today, there is still a need for awareness on implementing initiatives, procedures and policies. Social policies on mental health work to improve human well-being and contribute to better and more healthy communities.  These social policies ensure funding and collaboration opportunities to address access to the need for Mental Health services without discrimination. Many Mental Health initiatives are centred around communities for services, funding and support. However, “engaging community members in localized actions for well-being does not remove from governments’ responsibilities to provide high-quality social services” (Fisher, 2022, pp. 567–581).

      Why is this important? 

      The conversations around Mental Health are becoming more about action and awareness since the COVID-19 pandemic; there has been an increased observation on mental health individuals and organizations have become more aware of the need for mental health initiatives. It is reported that insurance companies paid out $580 million in mental health claims in 2022, a 75 percent increase from 2019 (O’Hara, 2022). This increase in awareness and action is also shown in a study by the Alberta Medical Association that noted that 70 percent of parents in Alberta said their children’s mental health was worse since the pandemic (Smith, 2022).  

      Mental Health concerns have indeed existed long before the pandemic, as it is noted that “one in five adult Canadians will have a mental disorder in their lives” (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2023). However, the pandemic brought about a higher rise in awareness. The reality of so many Canadians surviving mental health issues makes it crucial that social policies address mental health in communities. These social policies should be able to manage mental health at all stages, which means including programs like the Provincial Mental Health Diversion. This program is intended to address the criminalization of mental health crises. Social policies around mental health ensure adequate funding, advocacy and mental health awareness. 

      Mental Health and Social Policy in Alberta 

      Organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Alberta Health Services (AHS) have taken action to advocate for mental health in Alberta. These actions include reviewing the AHS mental health and addictions programs (Bellefontaine, 2023). The logistics of this review are still in progress, as the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is seeking an outside contractor. The Government of Alberta is also working on a new Alberta model that adopts a recovery-oriented approach and will aid in building six new recovery communities (Government of Alberta, 2023).  

      The province of Alberta continues to take numerous steps to acknowledge the need for better mental health measures and promote better funding for mental health advocacy. For example, the Red Deer News Now reported that in 2022, the Alberta government announced a $3.4 million investment (rdnewsNOW Staff, 2022) to build a Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC). The CACAC provides services to children facing abuse and mental health issues. This investment is part of a framework that collaborates in providing social services.  

      How to get involved? 

      Many communities and groups have taken various steps to continue the conversation around mental health; some of these steps include working with local organizations to provide services that address the different needs of the community. For a more general approach that ensures that the Government of Alberta introduces social policies, the CMHA suggests that members of communities reach out to their MLA to ask for more mental health programs.  (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2021)   

      The Mental health and Addictions advisory council’s recommendation helps the Ministry of Health transform mental health services; this is evident in the recent recovery-oriented system approach. Community members can contact the board to voice suggestions and share experiences highlighting the importance of social services and policies.   

      The CMHA Alberta Division also has multiple mental health programs that are community-based and grassroots-run, including;  

      • Free virtual mental health resources  
      • In-person and virtual community-based peer support for military and first responders  
      • Community events like conferences, fundraising events, conversations and inclusivity support  

      Summary 

      In summary, awareness of mental health and the issues that arises from poor mental health is crucial for the well-being of Canadians. Alberta’s social policies ensure that mental health is not just a buzzword. Social policies ensure that steps are taken to ensure that the issues are being addressed. Mental health conversations and actions continue to be needed in today’s world, and policies are being implemented to ensure that actions are taken to improve citizens’ well-being. While there is evidence of change and implementation of social policies, this is only a journey. 

       

      Eanimi Agube’s interest in working to understand better ways to empower communities and learn more about the challenges faced by marginalized communities has led her to complete her Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning. In her spare time, she is an avid podcast listener, an aspiring adventurer and an animal lover. 

      References

      Alberta Health Services. (2018). Provincial Mental Health Diversion Program Service Operating Requirement. Calgary: Alberta Health Services. Retrieved from https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page2767.aspx 

      Bellefontaine, M. (2023). Alberta Health Services to undergo review of mental health, addictions services. CBC. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-health-services-to-undergo-review-of-mental-health-addictions-services-1.6736266 

      Canadian Mental Health Association. (2021). Mental Health Must Be Part of the Equation Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved from: https://alberta.cmha.ca/news/mental-health-must-be-part-of-the-equation/ 

      Canadian Mental Health Association. (2023). Mental Illness in Canada. Alberta Division Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved from: https://alberta.cmha.ca/mental-illness-in-canada/ 

      Fisher, M. (2022). Moving Social Policy from Mental Illness to Public Wellbeing. Journal of Social Policy, pp. 567581. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279421000866 

      Government of Alberta. (2022). Mental health and addictions advisory council. Government of Alberta. Retrieved from: https://www.alberta.ca/mental-health-and-addiction-advisory-council.aspx 

      Government of Alberta. (2023). The Alberta Model: A Recovery-Oriented System of Care. Government of Alberta. Retrieved from: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-recovery-oriented-system-of-care.aspx 

      O’Hara, C. (2022). Insurers see leap in claims for mental health services amid pandemic strains. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-insurers-see-leap-in-claims-for-mental-health-services-amid-pandemic/ 

      Red Deer News Now Staff. (2022). Province announces $3.4 million investment for Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. Red Deer News Now. Retrieved from: https://rdnewsnow.com/2022/03/01/province-announces-3-4-million-investment-for-central-alberta-child-advocacy-centre/ 

      Smith, K. (2022). More than 70% of teens report worse mental health compared to before COVID: Survey Global News. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/8882754/alberta-teens-mental-health-covid-survey/ 

       

       

                                                                              [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

                                                                            1. Research Review: Mental Health: A conversation missing black youth

                                                                              [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Research-Review-3.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the Research Review (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#008ac1″ custom_margin=”||19px|||” custom_padding=”||5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

                                                                              This qualitative report, Access to Mental Health for Black Youths in Alberta (Salami et al.) is reviewed by Eanimi Agube and was published by Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada. 

                                                                              The qualitative research report Access to mental health for Black youths in Alberta explores the issues with access to mental health services and the perception of mental health among the 129 Black-identifying youths between the age of 16 and 30 that participated in the study.

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                                                                            2. Blog: World Day of Social Justice – Current Status and What’s Next? 

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                                                                              The impacts of COVID-19 have made social justice progress backward. This progress can only advance again with action-oriented policies and programs that shall be attainable and adaptable for multi-sectors. 

                                                                              By Riza Galang , ESPC Volunteer

                                                                               

                                                                              Yearly, the World Day of Social Justice is observed internationally every February 20. The global observance was formed by the United Nations and aims to promote equal opportunities for all. 

                                                                              Social justice refers to the fair treatment and equitable opportunities that everyone receives. It is frequently equated with justice itself in theoretical terms. Social justice covers employment, income distribution, healthcare, security, education, and other societal areas. Human rights violations and discrimination continue even in a culture where social justice occurs.  

                                                                              The global state of social justice 

                                                                              Inequalities and poverty continue to increase in most parts of the world. COVID-19, economic turmoil, and geopolitical unrest has pushed social justice backwards for many countries.  The pandemic has caused massive employment reductions and has disrupted education for billions of children. In 2020, the global unemployment rate hit 6.5%, climbing 1.1% higher from the previous year. (1) Youth and women had the greatest number of unemployment rates, soaring to 8.7% and 5%, respectively. (1) It is estimated that students globally are eight months behind their usual academic classes. High-income nations such as North America and Europe are recorded four months behind, while low- and middle-income systems like sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia are recorded to be six months to twelve months behind. (2) Small and medium enterprises and corporations had to limit their operations while hospital staff and nurses are overworked. (3) This has caused high unemployment from different sectors and low morale for overburdened healthcare staff. The United Nations noted that the related drop in working hours in other industries produced a ‘jobs gap’ of 23 million last year. “This shortfall in employment and working hours comes on top of persistently high pre-crisis levels of unemployment, labour underutilization and poor working conditions.”  – International Labour Organization (UN News, 2021). (4) 

                                                                              The state of social justice in Canada 

                                                                              In Canada alone, several social justice issues have been a continuous concern. Here are some of them: 

                                                                              • Violence against Indigenous girls and women – according to Statistics Canada, six out of 10 Indigenous women experience physical or sexual abuse. (5) This counts for both intimate partner violence and non-intimate partners. An estimate of 59% First Nations women, 64% Metis, and 44% Inuit women suffered from psychological, physical, or sexual violence. (5) 
                                                                              • Access to clean drinking water – Inadequate access to clean and safe drinking water is a major public health concern for the Indigenous Peoples. In 2021, more than 30 First Nation communities across Canada are subject to long-term water advisories that mean that their water is unsafe to drink. (6) 
                                                                              • Immigration detention – Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said that Canada detains thousands of people (including with disabilities) on immigration-related reasons. It is reported that people in detention fleeing persecution are regularly handcuffed and held with little to no contact with their families. (6) 
                                                                              • Corporate Accountability – world mining companies that are based in Canada operates in more than 100 countries. To hold Canadian mining firms accountable for violations committed overseas, the government has repeatedly failed to carry out the promised reforms. (6) 
                                                                              • Counterterrorism – In northeast Syria’s guarded desert camps and prisons for Islamic State (ISIS) suspects and their families, around 40 Canadian men, women, and children continue to be unjustifiably and indefinitely incarcerated. (6) 
                                                                              • Environmental issues – The inability of international governments to address climate change is already having an increasing negative impact on underprivileged people in Canada. Warming temperatures and more erratic weather patterns are making it harder and riskier for Indigenous Peoples to obtain food from the land, while also decreasing the availability of their traditional food sources. A good example is the Inuit families that rely on fishing and hunting. The effects of climate change will impact their way of living, and will be hard for them to cope once the effects have been felt. (6) 
                                                                              • Systemic racism – while some Canadians view our country as inclusive, Black people and Indigenous Peoples experience discrimination at an estimated 46% and 33%, respectively. (7) 

                                                                               

                                                                              The state of social justice in Alberta 

                                                                              The government of Alberta is providing an additional $26 million to the social sector this year to address labour shortages and rising operational costs. (8) The Alberta Human Rights Commission reported resolving more than 18,000 human rights complaints over the past 25 years. (9) In 2021, the Case Inventory Resolution Project (CIRP) reported an increase of 1,000 public inquiries which comprised mostly of complaints related to COVID-19 pandemic. (10) 

                                                                              2021-2022 also revealed 169 unmarked graves at St. Bernard’s Indian Residential School in Northern Alberta. (11) Few days ago, there were also reported unmarked burials at the former Blue Quills Residential School in Saddle Lake. (12) The growing toll of uncovered graves may be endless, but one thing that we shall be reminded of is that these lives belong to each family, parents, and loved ones. These school children deserve proper and humane burial. Social justice, as we equate it to justice itself, must be served regardless of race.  

                                                                              What’s next? 

                                                                              It’s significant to know that without economic growth, social justice will be hard to achieve. Global issues such as healthcare, education, and employment can be addressed once there is a recorded increase in a country’s income. However, for social issues like human rights and systemic racism, it is critical to have quick and coherent action. Ongoing funding and access to information are what everyone needs while finding the truth behind each story. Adaptable, action-oriented, and sustainable programs need support and proactive approaches where every Canadian will have a chance to live their full potential. 

                                                                               

                                                                              Riza Galang is an international student and currently working part-time as a Marketing and Communications Lead in a non-profit arts organization. Her interests include hiking, music, nature, and soccer. She is a seasoned marketer with experience in campaigns, marketing automation, events, and demand generation. 

                                                                               

                                                                              REFERENCES: 

                                                                              1. United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals Decent Work and Economic Growth. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2021/goal-08/  
                                                                              2. McKinsey & Company. (2022, April 4). How COVID-19 caused a global learning crisis.  https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/education/our-insights/how-covid-19-caused-a-global-learning-crisis  
                                                                              3. Houngbo, Gilbert F. (2023). The world needs a strong and sustained dose of social justice. Here’s why. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/ilo-global-coalition-for-social-justice-davos-2023/  
                                                                              4. United Nations. (2021, June 2). COVID crisis to push global unemployment over 200 million mark in 2022. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/06/1093182  
                                                                              5. Taylor, Brooke. (2021, May 19). 6 in 10 Indigenous women experience physical or sexual abuse: Statistics Canada. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/6-in-10-indigenous-women-experience-physical-or-sexual-abuse-statistics-canada-1.5435599  
                                                                              6. Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). World Report 2022 Canada Events of 2021. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/canada  
                                                                              7. Statistics Canada. (2022, February 16). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00002-eng.htm 
                                                                              8. Government of Alberta. (2022, December 21). Investing in Alberta’s social sector. https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=86201231FB305-D17A-EFB5-D07B72C7BEC9CE0E  
                                                                              9. Alberta Human Rights Commission. (n.d.). ​Alberta Human Rights Commission marks 50 years. https://albertahumanrights.ab.ca/50for50/Pages/text.aspx  
                                                                              10. Alberta Human Rights Commission. (n.d.). Annual Report 2021-2022. https://albertahumanrights.ab.ca/about/Documents/Annual%20Report%202021-22.pdf 
                                                                              11. Bourne, Kirby. (2022, March 6). 169 potential unmarked graves found at St. Bernard’s Indian Residential School in northern Alberta. https://globalnews.ca/news/8652368/alberta-high-prairie-residential-school-unmarked-graves/  
                                                                              12. Amato, Sean. (2023, January 25). ‘Evidence of a genocide’ found during search of Alta. residential school: First Nation investigators. https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/evidence-of-a-genocide-found-during-search-of-alta-residential-school-first-nation-investigators-1.6244038  

                                                                                                   

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