Many in Ontario live with physical disabilities and mental health conditions –and this group has a significantly higher level of unmet needs. This blog post highlights those needs and calls for action. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/needs-magnif... @cmhatoronto.bsky.social

Our latest report, produced in partnership with Black Health Alliance, is a multi-step guide to developing and integrating Black data governance practices at the @toronto.ca www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

The @toronto.ca Black Community Data Governance Implementation Plan – developed by Wellesley Institute & Black Health Alliance – draws on diverse sources of knowledge to ensure a robust and equity-centred approach. Learn all four components of the plan: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

Our latest report, developed for @toronto.ca, aims to inform the City’s future strategy for the use of race-based data initiatives. The Implementation Plan is produced by Wellesley's Jemal Demeke and Tiyondah Fante-Coleman of the Black Health Alliance. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

We are pleased to welcome Devon MacFarlane as our newest Senior Fellow. Devon is a recognized expert in 2SLGBTQ+ health and will contribute to both Wellesley Institute & Thrive Toronto's efforts to advance health equity for 2SLGBTQ+ populations in the GTA. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/person/devon...

The links between climate change and mental health and well-being are complex and interconnected. These two papers, produced for Thrive Toronto by Swelen Andari @camhnews.bsky.social and Wellesley Institute’s Mauriene Tolentino, explore these links. thriveto.ca

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Our new blog post highlights the voices of people with lived experience and calls for policy change. @cmhatoronto.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/needs-magnif...

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞-𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! Check out our latest research and policy work on health equity including: the un-met needs of people who live with physical disabilities and mental health conditions as well as our first piece ever on menstrual equity. mailchi.mp/wellesleyins...

Our latest research report highlights the unmet service needs of individuals who live with mental health conditions and physical disabilities with calls for action so that this significant population can thrive. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/when-mental-... @cmhatoronto.bsky.social

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟴 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 Our Thriving at work framework highlights the importance of occupational health and safety: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/category/wor... #Dayofmourning

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We are hiring a researcher for a 1-year contract to work on primary care research with equity-deserving populations and on the social determinants of health. Help us create a healthier and more equitable GTA for all. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗙𝗿𝗶, 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 www.wellesleyinstitute.com/job-opportun...

Our latest research highlights the unmet needs of people with co-occurring mental health conditions and physical disabilities and calls for action to improve supports such as access to transportation, household care and income. @cmhatoronto.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/when-mental-...

It is common for people to live with co-occurring physical disabilities and mental health conditions, yet there is little evidence about the service needs of this group. Read our new research report – in collaboration with @cmhatoronto.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/when-mental-...

We are starting a request for proposals to help guide our strategic planning process with our stakeholder community to inform a 4-year strategic plan. Help us identify new strategic goals to maximize our impact on fairness in community health & wellness: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/request-for-...

Each year on April 7, World Health Day brings attention to a specific topic of health concern. We are pleased to help spread this year's message: 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Learn more: www.who.int/campaigns/wo... #standwithscience

Toronto City Council's recent vote to move forward on opening four City-run grocery stores in priority areas is an important step towards ending food insecurity - but it's just one of many actions needed. Read our latest blog post: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ending-food-...

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿: people with mental health conditions are at increased health risk during climate crisis events 𝘢𝘯𝘥 these events also make mental health issues more prevalent.

We are thrilled to have Thrive Toronto's Mental Health Report Card featured in this NRU Publishing Inc. article. This report card can serve as a model for other communities in the GTHA area. Read the Thrive Toronto Mental Health Report Card: thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

Our latest blog post explains why even though AI mental health tools are promoted for their accessibility, how these tools are currently being used can actually deepen inequity. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ai-for-menta...

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. While AI may have a role to play in delivering mental healthcare - it must be specifically trained and must centre equity: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ai-for-menta...

Wellesley Institute CEO Dr. Kwame McKenzie delivered the keynote at last week's Black Health and Wellness Day, hosted by Durham Community Health Centre, focused on advancing health equity and strengthening the well-being of Black communities. Read about it: thecaribbeancamera.com/black-health...

Struggling to find support for their mental health, some Canadians are turning to AI. Researcher Jemal Demeke says while certain AI mental health tools may have a role to play in delivering mental healthcare, they must be specifically trained to do so, and they must centre equity. l1nq.com/XrAap

Period poverty disproportionately impacts people who already face systemic barriers. But achieving menstrual equity is possible in Ontario. Our latest blog post explains why and how. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/menstrual-he... #menstrualequity

Looks like a very insightful day! Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie gave the keynote at George Brown Polytechnic's 26th Annual Mental Health Conference. (📷 Photo via George Brown) www.georgebrown.ca/news/2026/cu...

People who cannot afford menstrual products often resort to unsafe substitutes such as rags, toilet paper or use products far beyond their recommended duration. This can increase the risk of infection and other health complications. This is preventable. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/menstrual-he...

In Canada, 1 in 6 people who menstruate do not know if they can afford the products they need for their next period. Our newest blog post by Antonia Stutter explains why menstrual health is a matter of well-being, inclusion and public health. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/menstrual-he...

𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 reminds us that access to affordable, good food is a health equity issue. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 on how to address the rising cost of essential foods, improve health, and build local agriculture and supply lines. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/healthy-food...

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗗𝗿. 𝗞𝘄𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. We wish everyone the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate over the weekend so we can all continue to take on the work that lies ahead.

NEW: Toronto’s Winter Services Plan Still Leaves Unhoused People at Risk, Advocates Say Shelter and warming centre service barely improved from last year. And with the hard winter, the system is again bursting at the seams, Shanzae Zaeem reports.

Community Health Centres or “CHCs” are one of the key models of primary care ensuring access to chronic disease prevention and management, and community development programs. CHCs are one of the models we represent. Learn more about CHCs + their vital work: www.allianceon.org/files/CHC_Se...

Canada has the 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 to be a world leader in building AI tools for equity. Our CEO, Dr. Kwame McKenzie, spoke about this potential - and reasons for both concern and optimism - at the @ipcontario.bsky.social's Privacy Day event about AI in health, Jan 28. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rl9...

Psychosis and schizophrenia are on the rise in young Canadians. #UofT researchers say recognizing the signs early could make a critical difference. bit.ly/4rC0nRr

Wellesley has joined the Supportive Housing for Ontario Table in calling on the Ontario government to ensure the supportive housing system meets the needs of all. Read our submission to the 2026 Budget consultation process. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ontario-2026... @unitedwaygt.bsky.social

We're honoured to have the contributions of Wellesley Institute CEO, Dr. Kwame McKenzie, recognized during Black History Month in such a thoughtful way by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario. ontario.cmha.ca/news/black-h...

Not everyone is equally affected by the decline in mental health in Toronto. The Thrive Toronto mental health report card shows that concerning patterns are emerging. Read the report to learn more: thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

As housing policies move toward treating homes as financial assets, and investment in social housing slides, wealth inequality and housing insecurity deepen. Read our latest research report – a scoping review of health and wealth interventions: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wealth-and-h...

We are pleased that Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie is speaking today as part of a panel discussion at the @ipcontario.bsky.social event entitled Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils and Protections. Dr. McKenzie will be speaking about the perils of AI.

Ontario needs more supportive housing and a plan to end homelessness. Wellesley Institute is glad to be part of this important group coming together to call for change.

Wealth inequity is on the rise in Canada, and along with it, health inequity. Our latest scoping review reveals that structural and historical inequities must be addressed to improve health and social inequities. Read the report: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wealth-and-h...

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼. We are researching how communities are involved in shaping primary care at the health service provider level. 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: tinyurl.com/3zn6jxyp

Thrive Toronto’s mental health report card shows people who experience discrimination are less likely to have good mental health: ➡️ 1/3 of people who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported good mental health, compared to 56% of heterosexual identified individuals. thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

The kids are not alright. Only one-third of children and youth reported good mental health in Toronto; 63% said they feel lonely. Read Toronto's first mental health report card here: thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼'𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. In 7 years, the percentage of residents reporting good mental health dropped from nearly 3/4 to about half. Read Toronto’s first mental health report card, made by Thrive Toronto, as well as the recommendations to help people thrive. thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

Only about half of us living in Toronto report having good mental health, and rates are lower for people who face social and economic challenges. To improve mental well-being, strategies must be targeted towards those most impacted.

𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼’𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. It tells the story of a decline in mental wellness in Toronto, who is most impacted by this decline, and highlights actions that can be taken to improve psychological and mental health. Read the report: thriveto.ca/thrive-toron...

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)'s 2025 Homelessness Report Update reveals a worsening homelessness crisis across our province – and one which evidence demonstrates is devastating for health. The report also outlines how we can find our way out of this critical situation.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗧𝗔? If so, please complete our brief survey to help us update our equitable research compensation guidelines. To learn more or participate, please click here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JN2VT3T

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗧𝗔? If so, please complete our brief survey to help us update our equitable research compensation guidelines. To learn more or participate, please click here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JN2VT3T

This Ricochet Media article cites Wellesley Institute research from 2022 - still relevant today - highlighting a gap in the National Housing Strategy: public funds must be directed to projects that meet the needs of those who most need affordable housing. ricochet.media/justice/hous...

At Wellesley Institute, we believe that economic measures to address global uncertainty should not place our most vulnerable residents in jeopardy for the sake of that aim. Read our response to the 2025 federal budget: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/our-response...