Delve into the heart of hope and healing with our Economy Builder’s feature on the Island Community Mental Health Association (ICMHA). Discover how ICMHA’s innovative approaches and visionary leadership are reshaping the landscape of mental health and community well-being in our region.
We recently interviewed Island Community Mental Health Association’s Executive Director Chris Forester to discover the transformative work of ICMHA in the Capital Regional District.
As a beacon of hope in the South Island region, ICMHA provides vital mental health services and housing to more than 800 people annually, underlining the critical link between mental health and overall community well-being. ICMHA’s holistic, innovative approach focuses on cross-sectoral relationships to address mental health.
This has resulted in achievements such as the ICMHA-supported Nigel Valley housing development, which will provide hundreds of homes for various people in need. Other innovations include peer support groups, senior support networks and supportive employment programs for people who are experiencing barriers as a result of mental health challenges or addictions.
With a passionate commitment to community engagement and economic collaboration, find out why ICMHA is a key player in shaping a resilient, inclusive future for Greater Victoria.
Q+A with ICMHA Executive Director Chris Forester
Why did your organization become a member of South Island Prosperity Partnership?
I became aware of SIPP at the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs launch and had the pleasure of speaking with a few senior staff members. I found the work intriguing and important as it focused on our local economy. I believe that is a conversation that all business leaders should be interested in hearing more about.
Island Community Mental Health Association has been operating in Victoria for 66 years, offering needed mental health services and housing to an often marginalized group of people. Throughout the pandemic, mental health was amongst the most spoken of topics in the media and the need for services has only increased since that time. As a non-profit leader, it’s important that I connect meaningfully with our community, but also increase our impact and professionalize our business.
We operate a 9 million dollar annual budget, employ 120 staff and are unique amongst non-profits as we are also a health authority affiliated partner. It’s my hope that we are meaningfully able to contribute to the local economic conversation, collaborate with interested parties and continue to build a sustainable and effective local business in the south island.
What do you see as key to growing a resilient, prosperous future for Greater Victoria?
Greater CRD, like many combined municipalities in B.C. and Canada, is being challenged to adapt to the escalating circumstances: low housing affordability, a need for more labour, and a strained political environment. Connection that fosters collaboration is key. Relationships built across sectors that recognize the diversity of people and challenges in this area, primarily focussed on creating sustainable economic opportunities that respect people and places, will usher in greater prosperity.
What is our region’s secret sauce when it comes to competing internationally to attract quality talent, businesses with household-sustaining jobs and investment?
We are a destination location. There is nowhere more beautiful and connected to mainland opportunity than Victoria. We are a stones throw to the Lower 48 and Vancouver.
“Mental health can be measured in the health of our relationships to ourselves and the world around us. It is in the world around [us], our communities, where we live our lives, and it is through connection that we can find the belonging we’ve lost and the recovery we seek.“
– Chris Forester, ICMHA Executive Director
What challenges are you most invested in helping our community overcome and why?
ICMHA is dedicated to serving people living with the experience of mental health in our region. We strive to provide programming, housing, and opportunities for people who are capable of contributing to our economy.
What are you most excited about in terms of your organization’s plans and potential?
I am very interested in our housing development in the Nigel Valley, which will see 250 units of housing added to the municipality of Saanich in the next few years. I am also very interested in supporting the People with Lived Experience movement, which sees organizations acknowledging and supporting the lived experience of mental health as expertise that people can offer their worksites.
Is there a specific quote, book, philosophy or idea that has inspired your passion for your work?
Mental health is the fluid experience and perception of internal wellness, affecting everyone all the time. Mental health can be measured in the health of our relationships to ourselves and the world around us. It is in the world around [us], our communities, where we live our lives, and it is through connection that we can find the belonging we’ve lost and the recovery we seek.
How do you envision Southern Vancouver Island 20 years from now? What will have changed? What does our future look like?
More people and businesses connected across intersecting communities working towards sustainable development solutions facing all people living in the greater CRD.
Find out more about ICMHA’s vital work on their website.
