Grassroots programs are testing an approach known as “social prescribing” to improve vulnerable Canadians' well-being and quality of life. This idea began in Britain and first involved doctors writing prescriptions for community and wellness activities for socially isolated patients.
In Canada, these programs are expanding to include social prescribing for students, immigrants and low-income Canadians. One new Ottawa pilot project will test how the approach can be used to build a community for clients of Housing First programs. Housing First provides apartments without conditions to people who are homeless and then offers the support they need to recover from addictions or mental illness.
Read about how social prescribing is being applied across Canada.
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