Are you fine or phine? It's a question that will be asked across Canada next week as May 5 marks the start of Mental Health Week, an annual national event put on by the Canadian Mental Health Association, aimed at encouraging people to learn and talk about issues relating to mental health.
The difference between fine and 'phine' is intended to show how people tend to cloak their feelings and mental well-being on a daily basis.
The issues of mental illness are wide-ranging from depression, psychosis, anxiety, dementia, eating disorders and addiction among others.
Some issues can come in relatively mild forms such as seasonal depression, whereas others are severe medical problems like cognitive impairment and schizophrenia.
Dave MacDonald is the executive director of Pathways Clubhouse, Richmond's branch of the CMHA, which provides services for those affected by mental illness, such as meals, activities, health care connections, entry-level work opportunities and even housing placements.
The 30-year veteran employee of the clubhouse says about one in five people will be affected by mental health issues at some point in their lives and he hopes the trend toward accepting this fact continues to gain traction in Canadian society.
"I think the hope for this week is there is a bit more acceptance for people with mental health issues. I think people are becoming a bit more open about their illnesses too, and, fortunately for them, a lot more celebrities are being more open and that's helped with the stigma in the past. It can affect anyone, no matter what sex, race, employment status or wealth. And it's okay," said MacDonald.
Network of support Pathways is part of a network of non-profit health organizations, groups and societies in Richmond that helps people with mental health issues. The spectrum of illnesses is wide-ranging, as are the services. For instance, CHIMO Community Services will help provide crisis intervention for those at a crossroad. The Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness Initiatives group provides programs for families on the whole who are affected by illnesses. Transitions is an organization that offers outpatient assessments for adults experiencing substance misuse, anxiety and/or psychiatric disorders. The list goes on.
What's common among all these non-profits is that they help people and they themselves need help.
Recently, Pathways was granted a new space in a $20 million social housing development to be built on Granville Avenue near Richmond City Hall. It's a one of a kind project for Richmond, but in order to make the move by 2017, Pathways is aiming to raise $2 million to subsidize its new mortgage, which, in turn, will free up money for operational and programming costs.
In Metro Vancouver funding for mental health programs recently came under fire when administrators at the Portland Hotel Society, a non-profit agency, were caught using money for luxury hotels, gifts, spas and parties. The subsequent media frenzy and public outrage led to Vancouver Coastal Health, one of the society's primary funders, to appoint a new, interim board of directors and executive team. MacDonald hopes one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch as his organization embarks on the important fundraising campaign. "There will be harm. But at the same time people may now think twice and check them out and determine if the organization is doing good work," said MacDonald, who has a message for donors and philanthropists: "Do your research. Talk to recipients of the service, they're really the experts," he said.
The advice is something Georgina Patko hopes people heed as they look to help organizations like Pathways. The management consultant was recently hired by Pathways to undertake the fundraising campaign. Patko recently armed herself with what she says is a significant finding from Success Markets, a research group that focuses on measuring the social return on investment (SROI) for charities.
Return on investment According to Success Markets, Pathways produces a total of $14 in value to their members, and the community as a whole, for every dollar it receives. The company noted it typically finds an SROI of $2-5. Patko, who has worked with many other charitable groups, says it's a balancing act to find the right mix of government funding and private donations.
"A lot of organizations have become used to receiving government funding and funding from gaming. The danger with that is it can be cut anytime, and we're seeing more of that. There does seem to be a trend, and so, it makes sense for organizations to seek out donations from interested individuals," said Patko.
MacDonald noted most of the financial pressures these days aren't necessarily coming from cuts but rather from the inflationary costs of rent, utilities, food and materials.
"If you don't get those increases from government it does feel like cuts," he said.
Pathways is one of many non-profits listed on the website of Charity Intelligence Canada, which aims to promote transparent non-profit organizations. On its website you can see that Pathways receives about $2 million in government grants and spends roughly 10 per cent of its revenue on administrative costs, which appears to be standard for a well-run non-profit of Pathway's size. There is also a link to its most recent external audit, which can also be found on Pathway's website.
Guarding against abuse MacDonald believes external audits are the best preventative measure for any non-profit that may face scrutiny. Such audits are not forensic ones that mull over each receipt but they do show cashflow irregularities, as was the case with Portland. But in the case of most well-functioning, non-profit groups, a board of directors as well as a staff accountant will be an adequate line of defense against abusive spending, said MacDonald.
Vancouver Coastal Health spokesperson Viola Kaminski said all service providers with contracts exceeding $1 million are required to submit audited financial statements. She said pending approval, any new service contracts signed for 2015 will provide clearer language about the appropriate use of public monies.
"Other revisions include the strengthening of conflict of interest terms and clear definitions for non-compliance of spending guidelines," wrote Kaminski in an email.
She also noted the likelihood of an incident like Portland is unlikely to happen in Richmond largely on account that there is no non-profit that comes remotely close to its $21 million worth of grants.
Both MacDonald and Kaminski noted forensic audits can take years and are exhaustive and costly. Such audits must be balanced against the probability that corruption is taking place.
MacDonald makes it clear that asking questions about where your money goes is not only important, but expected.
"I think it's an important question. I feel good when I'm questioned. We're using our taxpayer dollars and if we aren't questioned on how we use our expenses then that's kind of wrong. And if I feel uncomfortable in being questioned I must be hiding something," said MacDonald.
Joking he would have to hide his office hot tub, this week MacDonald invited the Richmond News to the clubhouse.
