Melissa Foster worked in the Toronto shelter system for a decade before she returned to the arts, and she’s one of the organizers behind Reclaiming Tkaronto/Toronto: Transforming Lenses Around Mental Wellness: an interactive walk and art-making exhibit that is part of Myseum of Toronto’s Intersections Festival. 

In this episode of Recovery Now, host Jen McNeely chats with Melissa about how the conversation around mental health has shifted in recent years and what still needs to change. “So many people end up back in the shelter system because we’re not looking at the bigger picture of how to support,” says Melissa, who wants to invite all Torontonians to imagine a future where support is more holistic and accessible to all citizens. 

All are welcome to attend the event on Saturday, March 23, but you need to RSVP! Meeting at the corner of Queen West and White Squirrel Way at 1:30 p.m., guests will first be led around the grounds of CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) and will learn about the long history of the institution that dates back to 1850, when it first opened its doors as Ontario’s “Provincial Lunatic Asylum.” Following, attendees will walk to SKETCH Working Arts Studio at Artscape Youngplace to creatively explore a healthier future for all.

What systems need to change? How does the environment play a role in mental health? How do we create holistic support to help the most marginalized so that people don’t fall through the cracks and end up homeless? How do we support the support workers? Listen to the conversation on this week’s episode of Recovery Now.