Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton
One of our clients is 86 years old and only speaks Romanian and Ukrainian. Since the pandemic started, she lost her husband and no longer has family in Canada. For her, her CMHA broker is her lifeline – the family she doesn't have. Without her broker, she would have no hope: no one to help her do things she isn't able to do and no one to make sure she has enough to eat. She told her broker, ‘You are the only person I have left.
“The cultural brokers help seniors access subsidized housing, obtain nutritious food, attend medical appointments, and help them navigate services. They connect them to peers that speak the same language. With the help of their cultural broker, slowly, but surely, life becomes less overwhelming, they experience more moments of joy and feel less isolated and depressed.”
“Through ongoing collaborations, CMHA Edmonton and the MHBC have gained a better understanding and awareness of specific issues faced by these communities and the gap in knowledge around resources. By increasing the capacity or our brokers, we are bridging the gap and increasing knowledge of existing resources in the community to help facilitate support seeking in these communities.”
