Peel outreach sheds light on mental illness and homelessness

Brampton Guardian, By  Peter Criscione

PEEL—Although there are many factors that contribute to homelessness, people with serious mental health conditions make up a disproportionately high number of those living on the street, experts say.

This afternoon, local support workers, United Way staff and Bell employees gathered at the Peel Outreach office on Mavis Road in Mississauga as part of Bell Let’s Talk Day. The initiative is held annually to raise awareness about mental illness.

“Mental illness is (a major factor) in homelessness and why someone may need our support,” said Erwin Reid, Outreach Program Manager with Canadian Mental Health Association Peel (CMHA Peel). “This (event) brings attention to our services and what homelessness looks like in Peel.”

Peel Outreach, run by the local branch of CMHA, provides mobile, around the clock support to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In the last year, the Peel Street Helpline received more than 11,000 calls.

Close to 20 Bell employees gave their time today to help organize food donations and bring attention to mental illness and its relationship to homelessness.

“The need in the community has never been greater,’” said Doug Cheshire, part of the contingent of Bell volunteers that showed up today. “There are stigmas associated with mental illness and the objective of (Bell Let’s Talk) is to dispense with those and (offer) assistance to people that need it.”

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