Health Promotion Finds Success with Partnerships
Health Promotion & Community Development
“It takes a village”. Coming together and working together brings about quality programs and community initiatives. When we work together things are better, we can bring in different perspectives, values and views to ensure that all are included and able to benefit from the programs. Partnerships can help shift programs upstream to work on addressing causes of poor health including the social determinants (housing quality, food access, neighbourhood safety, etc.) and structural determinants of health (policy, governance, values, cultural norms, etc.).
Tracy Young, Research Facilitator, Faculty of Health Studies & Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health, who is part of SPIN (Suicide Prevention Implementation Network) says “without community partnerships and connections our capacity to provide service, access, care, learn, grow, and shape the future would be so much more limited. I have not held a role (system or community based) in the last almost 20 years that didn’t flow more smoothly or operate more soundly because of the support and connection to community partners. Quite simply – it’s my belief that we are much less effective if we choose to exist inside a box. We only produce more band aids if this is what we choose.” Similarly, one of the SPARK (Suicide Prevention, Awareness, Resilience, Knowledge) Committee members stated “The SPARK Committee comprises of PMH staff, community members, and representatives from other organizations. These partnerships strengthen our impact by extending our community reach and providing diverse perspectives. We are able to do so much more because of these partnerships.”
Prairie Mountain Health has been a partner at the SPIN and SPARK tables for many years with the mission to coordinate strategies that help promote life and reduce the impact of suicide for the surrounding area.
Another successful example of partnerships is the Better Access to Groceries (BAG) program in Camperville, Sapotaweyak and Wuskwi Sipihk. BAG offers sustainable produce at best available prices; all the bags are pre-paid for and sorted and delivered once per month. This program has received strong community support including in the surrounding communities of Minegoziibe Anishinabe and Duck Bay. Residents, organizations, and leaders play a key role in promoting and sustaining the initiative. Advertising and outreach efforts have been carried out through community offices, health offices, and schools, ensuring residents are aware of the program and its benefits. Collaboration has been central to the success of the BAG program. In Minegoziibe Anishanbe, the Maternal Healthy Child program has been actively involved connecting families with nutritious food options and supporting community health initiatives. These partnerships have strengthened the program’s reach and impact, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for community wellness.
“The speed of the work goes at the speed of relationships” sometimes the work seems to take longer when we work together but partnerships make the work more effective, rewarding, and more equitable. Building relationships is key in doing good work.
Chantal Morais, RD, MPH