The Problem: Living in a rural and remote area limits the availability of quality mental health care to the financially disadvantaged working poor, those on disability pensions and anyone who does not have private insurance coverage. Universal government health coverage does not pay for mental health counseling. Those living with impaired mental health are statistically more likely to be involved in substance use disorder (drugs & alcohol), domestic violence, self-harm and suicidal behaviour. Mental illness effects either directly or indirectly all of society. Eganville Rotary decided in early 2022 to try and address the problem.
The Plan: Rotary got together with a local healthcare provider (psychotherapist) and worked out an agreement where the clinician would provide psychotherapy to anyone in the community in need. If the client could not pay all or a portion of the prescribed fee, then The Rotary Club of Eganville Charitable Trust would pay up to
$50/hour for the therapy. Psychotherapy in Ontario is provincially regulated with a normal fee payment of ~$130/hour. Rotary understands that this model of providing mental healthcare is not sustainable in the long term. We are mounting a public awareness campaign to high-lite the need for affordable mental health treatment for everyone with the long term goal of encouraging government funding for mental health treatment.
Financing the Plan: In the beginning, generous seed money was provided by The Co-operators Insurance Company of Guelph Ontario and Rob Webster Insurance Inc.-The Co-operators of Eganville. Additional funds were received from unsolicited sources as well as Eganville Rotary's Charitable Trust.
Part of the awareness plan was accomplished with the raising of the Mental Health flag at Trinity Down counseling office in Eganville and the article printed in the January 31st 2024 issue of The Eganville Leader.
The Plan: Rotary got together with a local healthcare provider (psychotherapist) and worked out an agreement where the clinician would provide psychotherapy to anyone in the community in need. If the client could not pay all or a portion of the prescribed fee, then The Rotary Club of Eganville Charitable Trust would pay up to
$50/hour for the therapy. Psychotherapy in Ontario is provincially regulated with a normal fee payment of ~$130/hour. Rotary understands that this model of providing mental healthcare is not sustainable in the long term. We are mounting a public awareness campaign to high-lite the need for affordable mental health treatment for everyone with the long term goal of encouraging government funding for mental health treatment.
Financing the Plan: In the beginning, generous seed money was provided by The Co-operators Insurance Company of Guelph Ontario and Rob Webster Insurance Inc.-The Co-operators of Eganville. Additional funds were received from unsolicited sources as well as Eganville Rotary's Charitable Trust.
Part of the awareness plan was accomplished with the raising of the Mental Health flag at Trinity Down counseling office in Eganville and the article printed in the January 31st 2024 issue of The Eganville Leader.
The Eganville Leader January 31st 2024
On December 9th 2023 the Eganville Community Choir held a Christmas musical program at Grace Lutheran Church in Eganville. $500.00 from the proceeds were presented to the Rotary Club to go towards the Mental Health initiative. This is enough funds to provide 10 hours of much needed counseling services.
Left to right: Linda Maschin -choir treasurer, Heather St. Jacques-choir director, Rotarian Barb Hayduk - Mental Health Project Chair, Allan Studd and Nathaniel Andrew- Councillors at Trinity Down and Maria Robinson Rotary Club of Eganville President
Left to right: Linda Maschin -choir treasurer, Heather St. Jacques-choir director, Rotarian Barb Hayduk - Mental Health Project Chair, Allan Studd and Nathaniel Andrew- Councillors at Trinity Down and Maria Robinson Rotary Club of Eganville President