The Final Stages of Our Project: But Just the Beginning Mental Health in Regent Park

Our project is focused on changing the narratives of Mental Health in Regent Park. We hope to create a lasting change with our project by curating resources that are available in the community. With many early discussions in the class we started realizing that not many people were open to discussing their mental health, not until one person shared, some more people would be more open to it. This led to us drafting up a project that would incorporate people’s stories so more people could hear and may want to also speak up about their experiences. This allowed us to create a presentation style project which included stories of personal experiences, statistics for each topic and resources that are available in Regent Park. We thought a presentation would be best as people who view our project could choose which stories they wanted to hear from. We divided the project into four parts based on the stories that were told. The stories we presented in this project include depression with divorce, postpartum depression, stress with moving in or around Regent Park and a youth’s perspective on parents not being as open to mental health discussions.The stories are a mix of recordings of our team members, Ines and Annika who both tell their story with their mental health experience and other videos that have mixed media, statistics and audio recordings.  By having different ways of showcasing stories we cater to those who want to be seen speaking about their experience and those who want to stay anonymous are able to have their story read by someone else, showcasing multimedia elements of videos and statistics throughout the experience. By having some videos with prominent people in Regent Park telling their stories we hope more people in the community will seek help and start talking about their own stories. 

The Instagram page @heyladyumatter.

As the Regent Park community is diverse we wanted to translate some of the stories in different languages, highlighting some of the languages spoken in the neighbourhood. We have videos said in Spanish, Swahili and Bengali. We also created an Instagram page that has the posters and resources listed. Our hope is that if the posters are taken down the Instagram page will be a virtual page that has direct links to the resources that we have researched. The Instagram page is @heyladyumatter.  

We showcased these real and important stories that people are experiencing in Regent Park. Our focus is geared towards women in Regent Park specifically due to their roles in the community and within the family of balancing the roles of caregivers, professionals and pillars in the family. These are important roles that women take up but many do not take the time for themselves due to being there for everyone else in their lives. We hope that this project will get more women discussing and thinking about what they can do for themselves, to take breaks and seek support when they need it. Our goal with this project is to ensure that the community is open to talking about mental health, as mental health is just as important as physical health and can affect physical health when not treated. 

Research

We conducted our research through many different ways, word of mouth and research of mental health resources in the neighbourhood. We found statistics that would showcase that people are not alone in feeling a particular way. The statistics we used include: 

Statistics for Youth: “39% of Ontario high-school students indicate a moderate-to-serious level of psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression). A further 17% indicate a serious level of psychological distress.  (CAMH)” 

“50% of all mental illnesses onset by 14.5 years old”  (CAMH)

“40% of youths in Regent Park do not know where to get support” (Regent Park Community Health Centre, 2020).

Statistics for Depression in Women: “Sex ratios for selected mental disorders such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and eating disorders are much higher in women than men. Women are more likely than men to have severe depressions and to relapse, with biologic differences in hormone profiles affecting mental health disorder risks and symptoms, the course of those disorders, and recovery.”  (Zender & Olshansky, 2009)

“Women today have a 10 times greater chance of suffering from depression than their grandmothers did.”  (Zender & Olshansky, 2009) 

“1 in 7 new mothers develop postpartum depression” (March of Dimes, 2019)

“Canada Stats on survey about COVID-19: “In the fall of 2020, one in five adults reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD, and this increased to one in four by early 2021.” (StatsCan, 2023). 

Resources 

The resources that we have compiled include Sumac Creek St Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Team located at 73 Regent Park Blvd #3, Wanasah - for Black youth in Regent Park located at 660 Dundas Street East, and the Regent Park Community Health Centre located at 465 Dundas St. East 2nd Floor.

The helplines that are available include #211 which is an anonymous helpline that directs you to additional resources and #988 which is the Suicide Crisis helpline. 

Posters: The Distribution Process 

We created posters to distribute around Regent Park to make more people aware of our project and the resources available within the community. As we have started distributing the posters we have gotten some positive feedback and many organizations within Regent Park have agreed to put up our posters. As of April 2024 you can see the posters in Dixon Hall, the Community Centre, the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre, Daniels Spectrum in the Music School, the Book Bank and Art Heart. We also put the posters up at Early ON Daycare, The Regent Park Health Centre and FreshCo. The Regent Park Health Centre was asking for more posters to distribute and post at their other location. We planned out the locations based on where many women visit often and are able to see them.

Some photos of our posters out in Regent Park. Pictures above are the entrance of Daniels Spectrum and The Children’s Book Bank entrance. 

These are the posters that we have distributed throughout Regent Park. 

As we conducted our project we realized how few resources are located within Regent Park in regard to mental health. With the resources we have stated there are long waiting lists to seek the help needed at these organizations. Some have requirements before seeing a doctor which result in less people gaining access right away. The Regent Park Community Health Centre only allows 20 counseling sessions per client which may not be helpful for those who need longer term help (RPCHC, Social Work). With the restrictions and long wait lists we have realized how few resources are available that can accompany our project. We still make note to seek these resources as it is important to care for your well-being. But we wish there were more organizations and initiatives in the Regent Park community. 

As we presented our project in the Exhibition at the Daniels Spectrum we had many people listening to the stories and later would tell us “thank you” and “that’s good” these few comments made us realize how important it is to continuously share mental health experiences. As many of the residents that interacted with our booth spoke directly to those telling their story we have already seen the impact of knowing the person conveying their experiences, which creates a safe space and trust.

This is not the end of our project if anything we hope that this will be the beginning. We hope that the Regent Park community will seek support, and start the discussion of mental health and its effects. Through amplifying these stories we hope to give courage for more women to speak up, seek help and know that support is available 

Our initiative is not just a project; it's a movement dedicated to ensuring every woman knows she is seen, valued and never alone. Join us, your support whether through sharing your story, spreading the word or simply being part of the conversation can make a significant difference. Together, we can ensure that every woman in Regent Park can proudly say, “hey I matter.”  

Thank you for reading, watching and listening to our project. Annika, Rebecca, Ines and Najiya

Our presentation is available by the link below or by searching hey lady u matter prezi online.  https://prezi.com/view/O95UpmnSKYmVEKkL8YVt/

The Hey Lady You Matter team members are Ines, Annika, Rebecca, and Najiya

Bibliography

Government of Canada, S. C. (2023, December 12). Survey on covid-19 and mental health, February to May 2023. The Daily - . https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/231212/dq231212c-eng.htm 

Mental illness and addiction: Facts and statistics. CAMH. (n.d.). https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics#:~:text=In%20any%20given%20year%2C%201,Canadians%20experiences%20a%20mental%20illness.&text=By%20the%20time%20Canadians%20reach,have%20had%20%E2%80%93%20a%20mental%20illness. 

Postpartum depression. March of Dimes. (n.d.). https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum/postpartum-depression#:~:text=PPD%20is%20the%20most%20common,symptoms%20of%20depression%20during%20pregnancy. 

Regent Park Children, youth and family needs ... (n.d.-a). https://regentparkchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Executive-Summary-Regent-Park-Children-Youth-and-Family-Needs-Assessment-2019-2020.pdf 

Social work. Regent Park Community Health Centre. (2023, January 24). https://regentparkchc.org/program/social-work/ 

Zender, R., & Olshansky, E. (2009). Women’s Mental Health: Depression and Anxiety. The Nursing Clinics of North America, 44(3), 355–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2009.06.002

Finding Our Voices: Prioritizing Women's Mental Health Together

Embarking on a journey to illuminate the nuances of women's mental health in the Regent Park community, "Hey Lady, You Matter" emerges not just as a project but as a movement. A movement that highlights the significant yet often silent battles women face, juggling the roles of caregivers, professionals, and pillars of their families, with little room left for their mental well-being. 

Our mission remains simple yet profound: to elevate the conversation around mental health and ensure that women in Regent Park know that they are seen, they are important, and above all, they are not alone.

Like every week, this week's blog post extends an invitation—an invitation to listen, to share, and to seek out the available support. It is a call to recognize the strength in vulnerability and the power of community. Join us in this crucial conversation, as we work together to ensure that every woman in Regent Park feels empowered to say, "Hey, I matter."

Faces of Regent Park - Toronto, Canada (2015) Artwork by Dan Bergeron; Portraying Ines Garcia 

The Unseen Burden - Empowerment Through Empathy

In the lives of Regent Park women, there exists an unseen burden, a mosaic woven with threads of resilience, sacrifice, and silent struggles. It is easy to overlook the weight of this burden day to day, but "Hey Lady, You Matter" seeks to pause the narrative, urging everyone to acknowledge and address the mental load carried by the women in our midst.

Through heartfelt stories and testimonials, we aim to illustrate not just the challenges but also the triumphs of women who find strength in vulnerability and solidarity in shared experiences.

Building Bridges with Stories - The Women That Bind Us

At the core of our project is the power of storytelling. We believe that every woman's story is a key that can unlock understanding, empathy, and support from the broader community. By collecting audio clips of personal narratives, we're building bridges between isolated experiences and collective awareness. These stories, raw and unfiltered, will pave the way for a deeper conversation about mental health, encouraging more women to come forward and share their journeys.

A Community of Resources - A Call to Care

Knowledge is power, and empowerment is crucial in the fight against mental health stigma. 

"Hey Lady, You Matter" is committed to compiling and sharing a comprehensive list of resources - from counselling services, support groups, and wellness programs available within Regent Park and beyond. Our goal is to create an accessible repository of help, ensuring that every woman knows where to turn when she needs support. We plan to enhance this initiative by installing informative posters about mental health and available support in popular community hubs frequented by women, further reassuring that assistance is just around the corner.

A Digital Safe Space

In today's digital age, the importance of an online presence cannot be overstated. Our dedicated social media pages will serve as safe havens for those seeking information, inspiration, or a sense of community. Though the platforms will be curated with select posts, their impact will be far-reaching, offering a beacon of hope and a reminder that no one is alone in their struggle.

The Ripple Effect - The Journey Towards Mental Wellness

As "Hey Lady, You Matter" unfolds, we envision a ripple effect - a community coming together to uplift its women, to listen actively, and to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed, and resources are readily available. This is just the beginning - a call to action for everyone in Regent Park and beyond to engage in this crucial conversation. Together, we can ensure that every woman not only knows but also believes and deeply feels that she truly matters.

This initiative emphasizes a collective commitment to fostering an environment where mental health is not just a conversation but a lived experience of compassion, understanding, and action

The Hey Lady You Matter team members are Ines, Annika, Rebecca, and Najiya

Focusing on Bringing a Strong Sense of Self: Resources and Statistics for Women’s Mental Health

Goals: Hey Lady, U Matter hopes to have more people talking about mental health, changing the stigma that surrounds mental health by sharing stories that people have and by speaking about mental health. We hope people seek out resources so that they are able to seek the help that they need. We will collect statistics so that people know they are not alone and that mental health is just as important as physical health. We will compile resources within the area. All of this will be posted within the neighbourhood  on posters. We are going to gather the story audio clips, resources and statistics on an Instagram page that people can access. It will only have the information that we have compiled for this project and it will not be active besides having a few posts up with stories and resources. We hope that it will be another way to get more people looking for resources and knowing that they are not alone. We are hoping that the stories we gather of women that live in Regent Park will get other women to feel comfortable acknowledging and talking about their own stories. By speaking up and having more of an open dialogue of mental health we hope to increase awareness. 

Audience: We are focused on women's mental health in the Regent Park community. We want to build a strong sense of self as some women may need to build up their time for themselves, make time for their needs and have some time doing their favourite things. 

 Research: We are focused on showing the mental health statistics that are discussed within the women's stories that we collect. We have a few that are focused on postpartum depression and depression within divorce. We are also looking for a youth story within the community. Once we collect more stories we are going to find more statistics and resources that are centered for the stories. 

Some statistics we have found include: “Sex ratios for selected mental disorders such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and eating disorders are much higher in women than men.4 Women are more likely than men to have severe depressions and to relapse, with biologic differences in hormone profiles affecting mental health disorder risks and symptoms, the course of those disorders, and recovery.”  (Zender & Olshansky, 2009)

“women today have a 10 times greater chance of suffering from depression than their grandmothers did.”  (Zender & Olshansky, 2009) 

“1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness in any given year” (CAMH) 

“50% of all mental illnesses onset by 14.5 years old” (CAMH Research Impact Report, 2019). 

All of these statistics showcase the importance of knowing that you are not alone. Women have higher cases of depression. Postpartum depression is not a topic many people discuss but it affects so many women. As well as not many people know that  “postpartum depression is considered the most common post delivery complication of childbirth.” (Zender & Olshansky, 2009). Seeking the resources that work for you is such an important thing to do as not every resource works universally but looking into resources and acknowledging is a very good first step. 

An example of a poster we will distribute in the community. Have a section of resources, statistics and part of a story. We want to attract people to the poster and have discussed that less words are better so this poster will probably change but overall the example is to show how we want to bring people to start talking about mental health or at least acknowledging its existence. 

A group photo of the team before we brainstorm the next steps for the project. 

The Hey Lady You Matter team members are Ines, Annika, Rebecca, and Najiya

Resources used: 

Zender, R., & Olshansky, E. (2009). Women’s Mental Health: Depression and Anxiety. The Nursing Clinics of North America, 44(3), 355–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2009.06.002

Mental illness and addiction: Facts and statistics. CAMH. (n.d.). https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics#:~:text=In%20any%20given%20year%2C%201,Canadians%20experiences%20a%20mental%20illness.&text=By%20the%20time%20Canadians%20reach,have%20had%20%E2%80%93%20a%20mental%20illness. 

You Matter

GOAL: We would like to focus on women’s mental health in the Regent Park community.  We want to get women speaking about how they are feeling as we notice that they continuously care for others but have few moments for themselves. Hence the team name changed from Women Power to Hey Lady, You Matter. This name change is to better explain our goals and intentions with the project.  We want to emphasize that women in Regent Park matter and they should be able to find resources and seek safe spaces to discuss important mental health issues that they face. 

FORMAT: We will be working on a powerpoint presentation that shows statistics, resources in Regent Park and alongside that audio recordings of stories of Regent Park women and their experiences in multiple languages. We are hoping to make posters to put around Regent Park that emphasize the importance of looking for support and resources that are available in or close to Regent Park. We hope to compile all of this together so we get people talking about mental health and change the stigma around mental health issues. 

PROJECT TIMELINE:

The questions Najiya pose are important and are part of the bigger reason why we are focused on informing residents on mental health. Take the time for you. Have space to breathe and connect with yourself.

The Hey Lady You Matter team members are Ines, Annika, Rebecca, and Najiya

Project Chronicles No.1

Our team name is Women Power. We are focused on empowering people with their mental health, specifically women. We are also a team with just women present so we decided this name fit :) 

My name is Ines Garcia. I've lived in Regent Park for 33 years and I have seen many changes, good and bad. I’m involved in many things in the community. Regent Park is a multicultural community. Mental health has a huge impact that is not talked about. 

My name is Annika Kumpunen, I’ve lived in Regent Park for 10 years. I’ve become more of an active member in the last 5 years after becoming a mom and meeting many other parents in the park. I enjoy living in Regent Park and I take part in many of the community happenings. To combat isolation and depression, a silent issue we recognized was affecting many women in the community, myself and 2 other moms began the Regent Park Women’s Health Social Circle, a group of 35 women that meet weekly to reconnect with other women, exercise, enjoy a meal together and take part in a discussion or an educational presentation. 

My name is Rebecca Sacco, a student at University of Toronto studying Urban Studies and English. I have lived in Toronto my whole life and am interested in learning more about the city. I have been part of mental health clubs in the past. 

My name is Najiya Hoque and I am an Urban Studies and Political Science major at the University of Toronto. Coming from a South Asian background, the community of Regent Park has always been near to my heart. This vibrant, diverse community has been a social hub for many years, bringing together people from across the city. I have had the privilege to attend and take part in various events in Regent Park and firsthand watch this community come together and celebrate its unique history. Mental Health and well-being is a crucial aspect of our livelihood and a vital component to a healthy community. I have always been an advocate for Mental Health awareness and education so this project holds a lot of importance to me.

We hope to help break the stigma of mental health in Regent Park. By stating facts and explaining overall experiences with mental health we hope to break barriers and create a support system in the community. Bringing in coping strategies and looking into resources that Regent Park may already offer may expand our understanding of mental health in the neighbourhood. When you feel better you tend to want to go to events, and participate in civic engagement. With the focus on taking care of your health you can better uplift and support the people around you. We hope that we can create a support system for those who may not know where to turn to. We also hope to educate on specific mental health types. 

Our hope is to cultivate a space and create a community that encourages open dialogue and discussion, encouraging more people to engage and share their struggles and tribulations. Through advocacy and community building, we believe we can change the negative narrative surrounding Mental Health and Wellbeing and focus on what really matters - the people.

The Hey Lady You Matter team members are Ines, Annika, Rebecca, and Najiya