Upstream Ottawa celebrates 40 years of advancing mental health services
- catherinearmour
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
OTTAWA — Forty years ago today, Upstream Ottawa was founded as a demonstration project, borne out of the desire to improve the daily lives of people living with mental health conditions. Project Upstream Ottawa-Carleton Inc. was incorporated on May 15, 1985.
It was spearheaded by a group of parents and mental health professionals who believed that personalized and client-driven support services, within a framework of secure, affordable housing, would help rebuild lives that had been disrupted by mental illness.
"Forty years is an amazing milestone for Upstream Ottawa, which has delivered essential supports so that people can live independently, but with help from a caring team of mental health professionals," said Katie Taylor, Chair of the Upstream Board of Directors. “The staff, clients and supporters of Upstream have a lot to be proud of and celebrate.”
Upstream is inviting supporters who are able to make a financial donation of $40 to mark the anniversary. Contributions will bolster the impact of our clinical programs, ensuring a client has a ride to a medical appointment, a nutritious meal to enjoy, and the opportunity to engage with peers socially through our wellness services.
The 1980s was a time when, with the advent of new medications, people with mental illnesses were put into custodial care or released into the community without assistance or guidance. Project Upstream responded with tangible help, including for four young men living in a rented townhouse who received personal counselling they needed to live independently.
These early days were made possible by private donations and provincial government grants.
In 1988, Upstream was approved for funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health, enabling in-home counselling services and innovation to grow through the mid-1990s. Within 10 years the clients served had reached 80.
A documentary about Upstream from the early 1990s, recently digitized, gives a good sense of the challenges of those times and the spirited leadership of the organization’s early leaders. We invite you to follow our social media channels (linked below) for clips from the documentary.
Upstream’s grassroots beginnings set the tone for enduring innovation, including the involvement of clients on the Board of Directors, initially as advisers, then as full board members, making Upstream a truly client-driven initiative. A vibrant Fundraising Committee organized major events, such as golf tournaments and galas, to support the services delivered.
In 1996, Upstream pioneered a Family Focused Case Management Services initiative to extend guidance and supports to clients’ families. Provincial funding for the family program arrived in 2000.
To meet demand for youth-focused mental health supports, from 2001-2008, Upstream launched a new youth program. In 2009, it became the Youth Matters Campaign, formally expanding case management services to support young people ages 16 to 24, during early episodes of mental illness and during their transition to adult mental health services.
Over the years, thousands of people, individuals and families, have been impacted directly and indirectly by Upstream’s mental health services.
“To anyone who supports this organization, I want to say thank you. You’re helping us reclaim moments of joy and connection," said Luna, an Upstream client.
Another client, Sarah, said: “I really don’t know where I’d be — if I’d be — without Upstream.”
In 2021, Upstream introduced new supports for Black youth experiencing problematic substance use, to address a serious gap in Ottawa’s mental health services. These services are delivered through the AMANI program (formerly SAPACCY), which has doubled the size of the Upstream Ottawa team and clientele.
Today, Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support provides a range of critical community supports and affordable housing options to adults and youth living with mental health and substance-use health issues. Services include: intensive mental health case management, housing, youth support services with a focus on Black youth and their families, crisis prevention, medication management and life-skills coaching. Alongside clinical mental health and substance-use health support services, Upstream offers clients a variety of wellness services. None of these additional services are funded by government.
Media wishing further information may contact Executive Director Bo Turpin at 613- 248-3330 or info@upstreamottawa.ca.
For more information on Upstream, go to upstreamottawa.ca.
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