Posted: January 22, 2016
Smh Storytellers
A full house to celebrate hope and care at GRH's specialized mental health program

Inspiring and hopeful stories helped mark the fifth anniversary of GRH’s specialized mental health program on Friday January 22nd.

Patients, family members, care providers and health partners joined in for the celebration. Together, they spoke to how specialized mental health has changed their lives as well as care for area residents with mental illness.

Specialized mental health came to GRH’s Freeport Campus in late 2010. A major renovation added purpose-built space for the program, and provided more than 50 beds and new programs for people with longer-term mental health needs.

One of the storytellers said specialized mental health has given him hope, something he hasn’t felt in a long time. Family members spoke to the care and support they’ve received

Psychiatrist Dr Sophiya Benjamin called specialized mental health a centre of excellence, adding she's glad to work at GRH. Specialized mental health staff spoke to the pride they have in the program and its results.

Community partners such as Anne Wright-Gedcke of Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health spoke about the connections the program has helped foster as patients have moved from the hospital into the community.

Thank you to everyone from specialized mental health including Andrew Palmer’s organizing committee, all the storytellers and guests who made the event a success.

The storytellers’ circle was the first of many events marking Freeport’s 100th anniversary. Look for further events through 2016.

Please visit our mental health and addictions program for more information on our full range of services.