Movement Towards Mental Health
Have you ever experienced an improvement in your mood after going for a walk? Walking for a good cause is also highly beneficial.
Equilibrium Burlington is a community-based advocacy and peer mentoring group for individuals and care partners who are affected by mental health and addiction challenges. The organization held its fourth annual Walk to the Lighthouse event recently in support of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation.
The walk raises funds for infrastructure and support for patients, families, and caregivers, through Joseph Brant Hospital’s in-patient and outpatient Mental Health & Addiction (MH&A) services. “Our primary goal is to increase awareness and support for our community by providing resources to reduce stigma and enable supportive conversations,” says John Reynolds, former chair of the Person, Family, Caregiver Advisory Committee (PFAC).
The lighthouse is symbolic. “It symbolizes light in a storm. People who have shared their personal stories say that they were encouraged to go for walks and to walk towards the lighthouse. It gave them hope that there was light during this very dark time in their life,” says Melanie Walker, Community Mental Health social worker and co-chair, Walk to the Lighthouse.
The Walk to the Lighthouse began in 2020 as a grassroots movement that was attended primarily by family and friends. A small group of about 30 people attended that first walk, united by a goal to raise awareness and reduce stigma, and less about fundraising.
“The last two years have seen the walk evolve into a much larger event, and one that attempts to engage the entire community,” notes Walker. “We recognize that stigma can be even more of a barrier for those in other cultures. We also recognize that our services may not feel inclusive, and we are starting to have conversations around this. It is our belief that we won’t heal until we all heal. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.”
This year’s walk saw record numbers attend – estimated at about 400 – and over $100,000 was raised. The committee is made up primarily of people with some type of lived experience: either they have received services, or they are a family member of someone who has. “What we raised most was awareness,” she says.
All levels of government attended and spoke at the event. There was a strong message that these services are important, and that the community deserves to have them delivered in a therapeutic and healing environment.
“We showed that the community is behind this and is supportive,” says Walker. “Our hope is that our walk not only raises funds but also the awareness of the services that are available both at the hospital and in the community. The walk gives people permission to talk about mental health and addiction and to know that it is safe to reach out for help when it is needed.”
Services Provided by Community Mental Health at Joseph Brant Hospital
- Weekly case management with a psychiatrist to manage medications and symptoms.
- An injection clinic with community-based nursing support for medication administration.
- A short-term Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) program combining mindfulness and acceptance.
- A concurrent disorder program for substance abuse and mental health assessments, linking clients to community resources.
- Child and adolescent programs for patients up to 18, with psychiatric assessment and support from a social worker and nurse.
- The Youth Intervention Program (YEI) for ages 16-24 transitioning to adult mental health services.
- Emergency psychiatric services and early intervention for psychosis (ages 14-35).
- Specialized care for borderline personality disorder, suicidal behaviours, and self-harm.
For more information, visit EquilibriumBurlington.com and WalkToTheLighthouse.com
