EveryMind and its staff are privileged to work in Peel, one of Canada’s most multi-cultural regions. For many years, our strategic plans have always included Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. Indeed, we recognise that our mission to inspire hope by delivering high-quality mental health services and our vision of creating caring communities that work together for children, youth and families cannot be achieved without a thorough understanding of all dimensions of diversity and the elimination of all inequities.
However, in the last few years, we have had to rethink our path and review our short-term goals, while renewing our commitment to ensuring that everyone who needs help, gets it.
With this in mind, we embarked on a new journey with an aim to listen to and learn from our staff, clients and community as we all work towards a better future, one that recognizes and respects our diversity and the value equity and inclusivity brings to all.
In 2021, we contracted Deloitte Canada to conduct an independent and comprehensive organizational assessment of EveryMind’s existing organizational policies and practices, inclusive of the voices and opinions of our communities, clients, partners and staff.
The process and findings informed the development of a dynamic DEI Strategy with 5 pillars that articulate a clear path forward and identify priorities that will inform our annual DEI workplans for the next 3 years. The strategy includes best practices for measuring progress and sustaining healthy DEI practices in support of our Mission. In Year 1 (2022-23), our focus is on engagement and tracking with an action plan for each of
the 5 pillars.