After receiving a $4,600 federal grant through the Employment and Social Development Canada Community Accessibility Stream, a new stair lift will be installed at the Weyburn branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“Our building has two floors. There is a ramp from the back entrance that allows accessibility to the main floor, however at this time we only have two staircases that allow access to our basement. A new stair lift will improve accessibility to all of our programming and services,” said Tasha Collins, executive director of the Weyburn CMHA.
Dr. Robert Kitchen, MP for Souris-Moose Mountain, attended the funding announcement at the Weyburn CMHA office.
“Accessibility is an important issue and sometimes lack of accessibility deters people from attending the programs and services that are available to them,” said Kitchen.
“The services at the Weyburn CMHA are tremendous because they are teaching people a lot of different skills. For many buildings in the riding, accessibility was not addressed when the building was constructed, so it is important to improve those accessibility issues.”
The Weyburn CMHA office offers many different programs and services, many of which are run from their basement level. They also rent an office to the Community Low Income Centre, and rent out the main floor for different meetings or functions.
“The main program affecting our consumers is the vocational meal program, as our kitchen is located in the basement, therefore the meal program must be held in the lower level of the building,” explained Collins. She said that the vocational meal program is very important, since it provides consumers with practical life skills and a good meal.
“The consumers who attend programming at CMHA Weyburn are largely from an aged population, and many consumers and potential users of the centre have physical disabilities that limit their mobility,” said Collins.
“Many of our consumers find it difficult to use the stairs, and unfortunately have had to stop attending programs at our centre as a result. We have also noticed an increase of clients and community members having difficulty with our stairs. The installation of the stair lift will improve accessibility and inclusivity within our facility as a whole.”
“CMHA Weyburn maintains that mental health is equally important as physical health and facing challenges with either one may affect the other,” said Collins. “If someone living with a well-managed mental illness begins to experience physical challenges — which results in them no longer being able to attend the programming that previously brought them support, pride or socialization — then their mental health can be negatively impacted.”
“Also, if someone is struggling with a mental health issue, but is unable to receive programming, you may see their physical health decline or energy levels decrease.”
The total cost of the purchase and installation of the stair lift is approximately $7,200. CMHA Sask division and the Weyburn branch have committed to share the remaining costs of $2,600.
