Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation Donor Report 2017 Donor Report 2017 | Page 10

Changing Culture
and Removing
Stigma in Mental
Health Care
recommendations. I feel a definite shift
in the understanding and acceptance
of the value of peer support in the
recovery model and how this carries
forward into practice.”
Thanks to the generous support of the
CUMIS Group in March 2016, Joseph
Brant Hospital established a two-year
pilot project Peer Support Navigator
program to meet the needs identified by
the Mental Health Program Consumer
Advisory Committee.
The program provides patients with
access to one-on-one support from a
trained peer-support specialist, who
has experience in mental health and/or
addiction services.
Reports by both national and provincial
health associations have identified
peer support as a priority because it
provides important benefits in both
patient recovery and harm reduction
for those suffering with mental illness
and addictions.
For CUMIS, moving mental health care
forward was a priority.
“As a co-operative, an employer and a
group benefits provider, we see a strong
need for improved support services for
those with mental health challenges in
our community and communities across
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Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation
The feedback received from the patients
who are benefitting from the support of
the peer navigators speaks volumes.
“It provides our staff with an opportunity
to respect the lived experience.”
Canada,” said Bob Hague, President of
Credit Union Distribution at CUMIS.
In the first 11 months of the program,
there were 298 one-on-one peer support
interactions, and 68 group programs
with over 242 individuals participating.
These numbers will continue to grow with
consistent staffing and the expansion
of the program into the new Psychiatric
Emergency Service area in the new
Emergency Department later this fall.
The results so far have been
overwhelmingly positive for patients and
their families.
“I am stronger and healthier than
ever before because of the different
activities provided as well as the extra
support from the peer supporters who
are good at listening.”
• “It is nice to have someone other than
busy nurses, and not feel burdened by
time when we really want some help.”
• “She is a wonderful asset to this unit.”
• “A job that is not easy, but she makes
it look easy.”
PEER SUPPORT NAVIGATORS MARIA DEL FINE AND KHALID
ALWAN ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR PATIENTS, THEIR
FAMILIES AND STAFF IN THE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT.
“It is undeniable that this innovative
project is assisting patients to navigate
what recovery means to them,” said one
of the peer navigators. “By modelling
what recovery can look like, the
incorporation of peer navigators can help
instil hope in the future for patients both
entering and leaving care.” Mental Health & Rehabilitation. “It is
making a difference not only for our
patients, but also changing our culture
and reducing stigma. It is having far-
reaching effects.”
In addition to the impact on patients,
changes to the staff culture at JBH have
been identified and appreciated. “I’ve noticed significant changes,
especially in the workplace culture.
The ease with which we are able to
discuss more patient-centred recovery
is amazing,” one said. “Staff are
welcoming, accepting and actively
seek out my opinion, feedback and
“We’ve truly demonstrated the impact
that these positions can have, and are
having,” said Cheryl Gustafson, Director,
•
For the peer navigators, the culture
change has been tremendous.
“It is making a
difference not
only for our
patients but
also changing
our culture and
reducing stigma.
It is having far-
reaching effects.”
The results of the pilot program speak
volumes and will continue to be a
focus of the Mental Health support plan
at JBH.
“It has become an integral part of
our day-to-day operations,” said
Tony Wright, Manager, Inpatient and
Community Mental Health. “It provides
our staff with an opportunity to respect
the lived experience.”
Donor Report 2016-2017
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