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 counselling. 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: 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.
The Plan in Action: Since April 2022 over $17,000 (including HST) of funding has provided more than
300 hours of psychotherapy to more than 40 clients in need of mental healthcare. Consultations were held with the Killaloe and the Douglas Lion's Club to garner their support to help in an 'awareness' strategy. Part of the awareness plan was accomplished with the raising of the Mental Health flag at Trinity Down counselling office in Eganville and the article printed in the January 31st 2024 issue of The Eganville Leader.
Looking Forward: (as of February 5th 2024) The Eganville Rotary Charitable Trust will carry on with the project until June 30th at which time a new budget will be struck for our 2024-25 fiscal year. Meanwhile, Rob Webster Insurance and The Co-operators Insurance Company have continued with their financial support. Unsolicited donations are appearing in our letter box. Rotary Club of Eganville Charitable Trust recently made grant application to the Hydro One-Energizing Life Community Fund. The 'awareness' strategy will be expanded to include the community ministerial groups, municipal government and the community at large and finally the provincial government. We believe everyone has the right to affordable mental healthcare. On a positive note, psychotherapy will become exempt from HST in the near future. We believe everyone has the right to affordable mental healthcare wherever they live in Ontario.
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: 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.
The Plan in Action: Since April 2022 over $17,000 (including HST) of funding has provided more than
300 hours of psychotherapy to more than 40 clients in need of mental healthcare. Consultations were held with the Killaloe and the Douglas Lion's Club to garner their support to help in an 'awareness' strategy. Part of the awareness plan was accomplished with the raising of the Mental Health flag at Trinity Down counselling office in Eganville and the article printed in the January 31st 2024 issue of The Eganville Leader.
Looking Forward: (as of February 5th 2024) The Eganville Rotary Charitable Trust will carry on with the project until June 30th at which time a new budget will be struck for our 2024-25 fiscal year. Meanwhile, Rob Webster Insurance and The Co-operators Insurance Company have continued with their financial support. Unsolicited donations are appearing in our letter box. Rotary Club of Eganville Charitable Trust recently made grant application to the Hydro One-Energizing Life Community Fund. The 'awareness' strategy will be expanded to include the community ministerial groups, municipal government and the community at large and finally the provincial government. We believe everyone has the right to affordable mental healthcare. On a positive note, psychotherapy will become exempt from HST in the near future. We believe everyone has the right to affordable mental healthcare wherever they live in Ontario.
If you would like to help financially, use this donate button. You can also help by being aware of what mental health is. Take care of yourself and be aware of others.
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