For 30 years, Hong Fook Mental Health Association has been a beacon of hope for people in Toronto's Asian communities coping with mental illness, executive director Bonnie Wong said.
With Friday's grand opening of its latest office at 1751 Sheppard Ave., east of Don Mills Road, the association is now bringing that beacon to North York, she said."Hope is the foundation of recovery," Wong told a room packed with clients, staff and well-wishers."Let us carry on the torch of mental health for all and celebrate the blossom of hope together in the years ahead."The mission of Hong Fook is to address mental health concerns in the Cambodian, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities.A strong stigma about mental illness often prevents members of those communities from reaching out, Wong said.Many people have excessive concerns about confidentiality and are reluctant to use insurance coverage. In some cases, people absolutely refuse to see a professional for psychiatric help, Wong said.But Hong Fook is making a difference. Last year, the agency provided direct services to 2,527 clients and reached out to 16,871 community members through mental health promotion initiatives.Peter Li, who came to Canada from China in 1987, received help from Hong Fook after he lost his job as a mould maker in 2007."I was not prepared for that. The income was good," said the Markham resident who attended the grand opening of the North York office.Not only did Li, who is now a driving instructor, receive services through Hong Fook, he took a training course and now volunteers with the agency."The training said, 'You cannot change the world, but you can change yourself,'" he said."I got the benefit from this training. I know how to deal with people."Now, members of his community often turn to him when they or loved ones are dealing with mental health problems, he said.Li would like to see the government better fund mental health services."They spend money on the flu shot. They should spend money on this, too," he said.Bahadur Madhani, chair of the Ontario Trillium Foundation's Toronto grant review team, announced a $106,400 grant that Hong Fook, which matched the funds, has used to purchase equipment and renovate the North York office. "Since 1982, the Hong Fook Mental Health Association has been making a vital contribution to the East and Southeast Asian communities by providing culturally appropriate mental health services," Madhani said.Don Valley East MPP Michael Coteau also praised the agency."By helping individuals with linguistic and cultural barriers gain access to mental health services, you help those suffering mental illness and their families move beyond the stigma to hope and recovery," he said.Since 2003, the provincial government has boosted its funding of mental health and addiction services by more than 80 per cent to $929 million in 2011/2012 up from $515 million in 2003/2004, Coteau said.For more information, visit www.hongfook.ca or call 416-493-4242.