In honour of Bell Canada's day of mental health awareness or Bell Let's Talk Day, John Abbott College received an Implementation Grant of $100,000 from the Bell Let's Talk Post-Secondary Fund.
PHOTO: Paul Tzimopoulos
(Right to left : John Halpin (Director General, JAC), Dennis Waide (Director Student Services, JAC), Daniel McGee (Student Union President, JAC), Marjolaine Lachance Senior Manager – Community Investment Bell, Meaghan Blake (JAC Psychotherapist), Sheldon Lewis (JAC Counselling), fan.)
According to the College, this gift allows John Abbott College counsellors to continue developing mental health initiatives specific to the needs of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) student community.
In particular, the funds will enable John Abbott to:
retain the consultative services of a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)/Mental Health expert;
to diversify the wellness-promoting services available to BIPOC students;
to build alliances with community organizations servicing the BIPOC community;
and to continue learning the latest in culturally sensitive mental health practices.
Informational booths were set up in the college's Agora to promote mental health awareness and local organizations, such as Friends for Mental Health, whose mission is to help individuals and families better cope with their loved one’s mental illness or mental health disorder. Their services include psycho-educational counselling, training, support groups, art therapy, respite activities, mindfulness, conferences, and more.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental illness, there are many resources available on the West Island to reach out to for support.
For immediate assistance and support, the West Island Crisis Center is a non-profit, community-based organization that provides free and specialized crisis intervention services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In moments when you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, sad, or suicidal, contact them at 514‑684‑6160.
Here are some other services directed at specific mental health and community needs;
AJOI (action jeunesse de l’Ouest de l’Île)
AMCAL (family services)
ANEB Québec (anorexia and bulimia)
Association Canadienne pour la Santé Mentale (Montréal)
Centre Bienvenue (mental health day center)
Centre de réadaptation en dépendance (Centre Dollard-Cormier - Substance abuse)
Centres de crise du Québec (RESICQ)
Centre de réadaptation en dépendance Foster (substance abuse)
CIUSSS Ouest de l’île de Montréal
Community Perspective in Mental Health
Family Resource Centre
Fonds d’Aide de l’Ouest de l’Île
Friends for Mental Health
Omega Community Resources and Apatments
Ressources Jeunesse St-Laurent
SOS Violence conjugale
Suicide Action Montréal
West Island Citizen Advocacy
West Island Community Resource Centre
SOURCES: John Abbott College, Friends for Mental Health, WICC.
