With money from the provincial government, a native organization will be able to assist more trans people in finding employment and building long-lasting connections.
To expand its gender-affirming clinic, the York Region and South Simcoe branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is receiving $200,000 to expand its services to the transgender community.
“It is much needed,” said Michelle Hermans, nurse practitioner. “There is a significant difference in these people’s services. They have a lot of trouble getting the help they need. Having this money creates convenience, breaks down barriers to connecting to these services, and, I think, it makes a difference for their emotional wellbeing and well-being.”
CMHA York Region and South Simcoe served 18,000 users in 2023. It offers more than 30 mental health and addiction programs, such as the gender-affirming clinic, for youngsters, adults, family caregivers, native businesses, and community organizations.
The Resilient Communities Fund, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, will be used to pay for software gear purchases, staff salaries, operational costs, and cognitive behavioral therapy training. Karen Kugelmass, social worker, said the program was developed some time ago and has had a waitlist. The plan was to have a studio for three days, half a quarter. Demand, however, increased greatly.
“By August of 2021, we had to shut our waitlist,” said Kugelmass. “We were unable to accept more people because there was such a high need.”
MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy of Newmarket-Aurora praised the government’s commitment to providing people with the services they needed.
“Our government is dedicated to making sure every Ontarian can access the treatment they need, when and where they need it,” according to Gallagher Murphy. “Whether it’s expanding access to services in the community, which CMHA does every day, they also support online care or making sure you have a hospital bed available when needed,” they say.
A review from Statistics Canada found that trans children are much more likely to attempt suicide or think about it. Researchers gathered results from 6,800 children aged 15 to 17 years old. Hermans emphasized the value of assisting this vulnerable population.
“We know there is a significantly higher rate of emotional wellbeing, death, and suicide ideation in this population,” said Hermans. “We are aware that they are a vulnerable population.”
Kugelmass claimed that initially, clients were anxious to use the service. She claimed that they could relate them to and expose them to other programs that promote their physical and mental health.
People with a variety of concerns will be able to get assistance from CMHA employees. For example, a client receiving gender-affirming care can now get assistance to improve their mental health, find shelter in the community, and build their social network.
“This expansion is going to allow us to have employees able to support clients with seeking and accessing those different services, so they have sustainable, safe, and affordable housing,” said Kylee Goldman, chairman of service.
