Partners
Ottawa Public Health, the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre, and Jewish Family Services collaborate on impactful projects. One key effort is The HaveThatTalk initiative.
Goals and Collaboration Approach
The HaveThatTalk initiative creates a safe space for newcomers to learn about mental health, substance use, and stigma. Ottawa Public Health and its partners provide videos to meet the community’s needs. These resources help increase understanding and support for mental health issues.
Activities
Launched on March 20, 2019, the HaveThatTalk series shows the importance of mental health in daily life. The series includes videos with over one million YouTube views, helping service providers, parents, and community members. Activity guides with the videos help people discuss mental health and substance use. In 2022, the series added topics like anti-racism, micro-aggressions, and allyship to stay relevant and impactful.
Link to the Ottawa Immigration Strategy
The HaveThatTalk initiative supports the Ottawa Immigration Strategy’s priority number three, which focuses on enhancing health literacy among immigrants and refugees. It offers crucial information on mental health, substance use, and stigma, helping newcomers manage their well-being. This builds a healthier and stronger community by giving people the knowledge and tools to support mental health.
Timelines and Milestones
Since March 2019, The HaveThatTalk project has adapted to the community’s needs. Feedback and engagement guide the development of new resources, keeping the initiative effective and relevant.
Impact Areas and Client Outcomes
The HaveThatTalk series has made a significant impact, with partner agencies using the videos to discuss mental health. It includes guides for youth, adults, parents, workplaces, educators, and newcomers. New videos and guides keep the content valuable for different groups.
Conclusion
The work of Ottawa Public Health, the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, and their partners has made strides in addressing mental health. The HaveThatTalk series is a valuable resource, offering insights and tools for mental well-being. Positive feedback and wide use of the videos show the initiative’s success in understanding and supporting mental health in the community.
