December 11, 2019
Edmonton attendees at a recent Wellness Network event included, from left: Leif Gregerson, Michelle Black, Nicole Sharpe, Michelle Knox and Gilman Cardinal. The event brought together community partners who are striving to empower individuals on their journey to wellness.
Story & photo by Vanessa Gomez
EDMONTON — Seven dimensions of wellness contribute to one’s overall well-being: career and academics, emotional, environmental, financial, physical, social and cultural, and spiritual.
The Wellness Network in Edmonton, launched in 2013, has been providing individuals with community-based and accessible resources to explore their dimensions of wellness.
“For a few years now, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been looking at ‘How do we increase recovery-oriented practice in the community?’” says Michelle Knox, care manager of Recovery Supports. “This is a collaboration of community partners helping people participate in self-directed and easily accessible programs.”
Partners of the Wellness Network — including e4c, Momentum Walk-In Counselling, EmployAbilities and Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre — came together on Sept. 23 to show community members the many supports available to them for wellness and recovery.
For example, individuals can sign up for programs and activities, such as WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), creative writing, art and sports, which allow them to explore the different dimensions of wellness through drop-in opportunities and community events at little to no cost.
New to the Wellness Network this past year are Recovery College courses, an education-based approach with a focus on helping people find the resources they need to support themselves or their loved one’s recovery journey.
Not only are the programs self-directed, allowing participants to decide what they need, but they’re also facilitated by individuals with ‘lived experience’, giving participants the opportunity to connect with people who truly understand their journey.
Nicole Sharpe, a co-chair with the Quality Group as well as a member of the Steering Committee and a course facilitator, has been with the Wellness Network for two years.
As someone who experienced her own addiction and mental health struggles, Sharpe says she wants to give back to her community by helping others through their experiences.
“It’s so important that we understand what participants are going through by sharing our own experiences,” Sharpe adds.
“I’m passionate about sharing my journey with mental health and addiction struggles, because when I was in active addiction and acutely ill, there was nowhere I could refer myself in order to learn the skills needed to move forward.
“The Wellness Network Learning Community allows individuals to craft their own journey, as defined by them. They’re in the driver’s seat of their own journey to wellness.”
Since the network’s launch, Knox has noticed the traditional barriers that exist between agencies are breaking down — and agencies are now taking a more collaborative approach to community wellness.
“This has created a significant benefit to the community,” says Knox. “We’re all in this together — and we’re continuously learning from each other.”
