On September 6th 2017, Wellesley Institute and CAMH hosted Professor Nikolas Rose, an international expert on the role of cities in Mental Health from King’s College London. This talk explores the impact of urban environments on the brain and the role of the city in mental health and mental illness and asks: how does stress […]
Archives for 2017
Why Cities Should Collaborate for Mental Health & Well-being
Mental health is about more than accessing treatment and medication. The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” An estimated 1 in 5 […]
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Mobilizing Cities for Mental Health: Gary Belkin on ThriveNYC
On July 27 Wellesley Institute and CAMH hosted a conversation about working together to foster mental health and well-being in the city toward designing a city where all Torontonians can thrive. Our guest speaker was Dr. Gary Belkin from ThriveNYC, an initiative that led the way for a bigger conversation about mental health as a public health service in New York City. ThriveNYC is a roadmap designed […]
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Event: Mental Health and the Megacity
We are in the midst of a new era of urbanization. The United Nations predicts that two-thirds of the world will live in cities by 2050. Policymakers have begun to grapple with the economic and environmental consequences of this mass urbanization, but what are the implications for human health and mental well-being? Professor Nikolas Rose is […]
Advancing Health Equity Through Language Interpretation Services
By Nazeefah Laher & Anjum Sultana Today, Statistics Canada released the 2016 census data on language showing an increasingly diverse linguistic landscape. Ontario receives over 50 percent of all immigrants to Canada so it is no surprise that nearly half of Canadians with a mother tongue other than English live in this province. More than […]
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The Right to Language Accessibility in Ontario’s Health Care System
By: Nishi Kumar, Nazeefah Laher, Anjum Sultana & Anjana Aery If you are arrested and don’t speak the language of the court, you have the right to assistance from a professional interpreter. This right is explicitly stated in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the justice system, it is recognized that effective communication – […]
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Dr. Kwame McKenzie Receives Honorary Diploma from GBC
Wellesley Institute is proud to announce our CEO Dr. Kwame McKenzie has received an honorary diploma of General Arts & Sciences from the Centre for Preparatory and Liberal Studies from George Brown College. As CEO of the Wellesley Institute, an organization that works in policy and research to create a healthier and more equitable environment across […]
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Big Challenges for TCHC are Challenges for the City
Council’s Executive Committee is about to consider a staff report that is a follow-up to the task force on Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) chaired by Senator Eggleton. When the task force reported in January 2016 it recommended big changes. TCHC would move toward more income mix. Some housing would be transferred to community-based non-profit […]
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Rethinking the definition of institutional racism
After 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence was killed by racist thugs while waiting for a bus in South London in 1993, no one would have guessed that it would lead to a rediscovery of the concept of institutional racism, a revolution in public services in the UK, and a new definition of racism in Canada in 2017. […]
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The Changing Workplaces Review – Response to the Final Report
Our experiences with employment and in the workplace have a profound effect on all aspects of our lives, including our health.[i] For example, workers in low-wage employment tend to have shorter life expectancies and poorer health outcomes.[ii] Poor working conditions increase the risk of job injury and occupational diseases.[iii] And, poor working conditions affect not […]
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