Mental Health Week: Victim Services Toronto steps up in times of crisis

By

A 12-year-old boy is rocking in the fetal position on his bed. Moments ago he just witnessed one of his parents commit suicide, and now he is alone in his house.

A crisis team from Victim Services Toronto arrives on scene and will be fast at work trying to get a response from the uncommunicative child.

First they try to find mobile support – another parent, siblings, another relative, anyone who is a natural support for the child. Then they will tackle the practical issues like where the child will stay, who is going to look after him and if he has eaten food recently.

They can’t leave him in the apartment.

“The early intervention when a traumatic situation happens can really help prevent those longer-term issues that arise from unaddressed trauma,” said Bonnie Levine, executive Director of Victim Services Toronto. “Particularly for children, there are a range of disorders that arise later on as a result of being involved in a traumatic event.”

Victim Services responds in the immediate aftermath of a major crime or incident to provide assistance for victims across Toronto, and without them, the number of mental health issues in Toronto would rise.

“Trauma really does have a great impact on mental health,” she said. “When you’ve had a traumatic incident and it hasn’t been addressed, it leads to many, many mental health conditions.”

Mental Health Awareness week aims to spark candid discussions and end the stigma around mental health issues.

“We all have a responsibility to raise our awareness about mental health,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a stop in Toronto Monday. “We must actively encourage honest and open conversations in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities, about what mental health is and what we can do to increase our collective well-being.”

Victim Services Toronto campaign photograph: “We hope you never see where your money goes.” VICTIM SERVICVES TORONTO

Victim Services Toronto receives between 50 to 60 calls a day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The crisis teams consist of a crisis councillor – typically a social worker with extensive training in trauma management – and an well-trained volunteer. Currently, there are 50 staff members, many of whom are certified with the National Organization for Victims Assistance, and almost 200 volunteers.

Levine they are the only agency in Toronto that does what they do.

“If you are really letting out visceral cries, it is very difficult for family members and loved ones to hear that and to comfort,” she said. “It is very uncomfortable and difficult to deal with, and our staff has very unique training and set of skills to do so.”

After the immediate aftermath of a traumatic incident, the crisis team will work with the victim to determine a long-term assistance plan and act as a conduit to the services offered in Toronto.

Levine said people who have experienced a traumatic event can’t always recognize what their needs are, or may not even realize that they haven’t gotten out of bed or eaten properly in two weeks.

“They can’t navigate the maze of services offered for support,” she said.


Related stories:

Experts caution about use of unmonitored mental health app forums

Alberta child advocate wants suicide prevention plan for aboriginal youth

‘You don’t look sick:’ Student claims he was made to write U of T exam


“For those individuals we will work with them, make the calls on their behalf, we will take them to appointments and we won’t let go until we know they are hooked up to longer term services.”

Levine admits that suicides are the worst tragedies people can experience because the blame society puts on a family – even though they may have done everything in their will to help.

“When there is a homicide, everyone knows about it and the communities often rally around the family who have lost a loved one,” she said.

“When there is a suicide there is often a lot of blame, they feel ashamed, they feel guilt, and so in fact navigating services for family members who have found a loved one who committed suicide or witnesses it, is very difficult.”

Funding for Victim Services primarily comes from the Province of Ontario (under 50 per cent), and a smaller portion of about 10 per cent comes from the City of Toronto, with the remainder coming from fundraising.

“There is so much stereotype and fear surrounding people with mental health issues so it is very hard for people to get behind mental health as a cause,” Levine said.

But she believes this stereotype is changing and people are starting to support help for mental health.

“We all know someone who is suffering from mental health issues – if we aren’t experiencing it ourselves,” she said.

“Many of us are experiencing it ourselves and many of us are ashamed to admit it… it is that common.”


To get involved with Victims Services or find out more information visit their website here.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today