New Research: Neighbourhood Approaches to Mental Health and Addictions

How can communities address mental health and addictions issues at a neighbourhood level? What best practices exist? Research shows that neighbourhoods can engage and support community members with mental health and addictions issues through:

Community capacity building: Increase residents’ ability to work together to find local solutions to problems and to influence change.

Community engagement: Include all residents, including vulnerable ones, in programs and decision-making, and encourage partnerships with community organizations and agencies.

Social capital: Build meaningful connections between residents to increase interaction and participation in the community.

To learn more about empowering neighbourhoods with the skills to support those with mental health and addictions issues, read the full report.