We
are committed to working with communities throughout Ontario to create
environments that support health, prevent illness and reduce stigma. Integrating
prevention and health promotion into our clinical programs is a key direction
for us, demanding careful planning, development, implementation and evaluation
of programs.
Supporting
Community Initiatives
Whrough
an Ontario-wide network of 12 community offices, our consultants work
with individuals and organizations to apply initiatives in the community.
We provide local consultation, support and community training to help
health and social service agencies better respond to people experiencing
mental health and substance abuse problems and to promote community action
aimed at preventing illness and promoting mental health.
An
important focus is for us to help communities prevent alcohol and other
drug problems and to support local district health councils and service
providers in planning and delivering addiction treatment services. In
the coming year, we plan to expand this support to include the prevention
and treatment of mental health problems as well.
Safer
Bars
"Bars
are the second most likely place, next to the home, for incidents of alcohol-related
violence," says Dr. Kathryn Graham, senior scientist with our Social,
Prevention and Health Policy Research department. "But unlike violence
that happens in the home, aggression in bars can be studied more easily
using direct observations. And because bars are regulated through licensing,
there are more avenues for prevention."
To
reduce the problem of aggression in bars, a team at the Centre has been
working with police, public health units and bar owners and staff across
Ontario to develop the "Safer Bars" program. Over the last year,
this research-based risk-assessment and training program was tested in
bars in Windsor, London, Kenora, Toronto and Ottawa. "Safer Bars"
resource materials under development include a risk-assessment workbook
for bar owners, a training video, a trainers' guide, a workbook for bar
staff and a legal brochure describing the rights and responsibilities
of bar owners and staff.
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1-800-463-6273
