The government of Quebec announced on Monday emergency aid of $ 17.6 million to be paid to community organizations working in the field of mental health.
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“With the pandemic, we have had an increase in mental health needs. It is said, for example, that the anxiety rate in the population is around 2% of the population. The latest polls show that it has increased by up to 15%, ”says Lionel Carmant, Minister for Health and Social Services.
Help that is welcome for many players in the field, such as From One Cover to Another, Longueuil.
The needs of the organization, whose mission is the social and professional reintegration of people affected by a mental health disorder, have never been so great and urgent.
It is facing a shortfall of $ 100,000 due to the cancellation of its fundraising activities.
From one cover to another hopes to obtain at least $ 50,000 as part of this government assistance in order to hire a worker.
The organization’s services were heavily used during the pandemic.
Robert Plante, who lives with bipolar disorder with episodes of psychosis, used the services of Cover to Cover during the pandemic.
“The fact of not having contact with people, that further accentuates the depression,” he admits.
Cover to cover has allowed many people with mental health problems to meet other people like them.
“To come here is to break the isolation. It gives a feeling of belonging. It’s coming when they want, at the time they want. These people, if we are not there, they have no one in life. Often they are isolated. The families are a little exhausted, ”explains Nathalie Dugré, psychoeducator.
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