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