SOCIAL PRESCRIBING FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH REPORT - Overview of Social Prescribing for Better Mental Health

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH REPORT Overview of Social Prescribing for Better Mental Health One of the biggest challenges facing Ontario’s health system is addressing social isolation and loneliness. [...] Building on the Alliance for Healthier Communities' previous social prescribing work, the project's goal was to scale up social prescribing at 28 pilot sites to organizations across Ontario to improve social connection and overall well-being. [...] 1 Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks 2 Symptoms of major depressive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a representative sample of the Canadian population 3 Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Review and Commentary of a National Academies Report 4 Exploring the determinants and mitigating factors of loneliness among older adults P a g e | 1. [...] These included: • Receiving coaching support (from the Alliance): "The social prescribing program and our new CONNECTYOUTH program would not have been possible without the Alliance grant AND the coaching support we received." - Lakeshore Community NPLC • Support and training for data collection and use: "Working with the Alliance allowed us to find new ways to capture the data to help prove the im. [...] The imposed limitations were a result of the restricted utilization of PS Suites throughout the organization.” – Pinecrest Queensway CHC P a g e | 5 SOCIAL PRESCRIBING FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH REPORT Overview of Social Prescribing for Better Mental Health Objectives Evaluation Findings Client Feedback Provider feedback.