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6 Friday, November 24, 2023 brooklintowncrier.com A girl on my daughter's hockey team doesn't quite fit in. Jane (not her real name) played on the the team the last few years. Other girls try to get her involved in off ice activities but she never does. They like her, but her behaviour seems odd and what she occasionally says is strange. Adolescence is marked by self-discovery and the quest for identity, which can come from conformity in dress, trends, and beliefs. However, not every teen fits in with the norms or cliques often associated with adolescence. These individuals can sometimes feel isolated, even misunderstood. They often struggle with a sense of belonging and identity. They may try different looks or take on personalities to find one that resonates with their peers. Their interests, talents, or passions may not align with popular trends or activities. Perhaps they possess a strong sense of individuality. Some might refuse to compromise their values or beliefs to fit in while others may have medical or mental health conditions that influence their behavior and perception of social cues. Pressure to conform can leave them feeling alienated, leading to self-esteem and confidence issues. As a result, they may experience loneliness, anxiety, and depression. On this team, there is a focus on creating an environment that embraces diversity and encourages Brooklin Family Matters: by Leanne Brown Embracing Individuality Durham Health Matters By Elizabeth Roy Mayor, Town of Whitby You might have noticed the new #DurhamHealthMatters hashtag popping up on social media recently. As the province mandates growth, the need for additional healthcare infrastructure, family doctors, and mental health support in Durham is becoming more pressing and the Town of Whitby wants to get the word out. Here's why #DurhamHealthMatters: Did you know Durham is currently the fastest-growing region in Canada? Durham's population is just under 700,000 and is expected to increase by about 577,000 by 2051. We expect more than 101,000 additional residents in Whitby by that time. The provincial government has committed to building 1.5 million new homes by 2031 and more than 84,000 of those homes will be built in Durham. We need action now to ensure there will be enough hospital capacity, family doctors and mental health supports to serve our growing population. Otherwise, we'll find ourselves in a worsening healthcare crisis. As of today, an estimated 230,000 Durham residents don't have a family doctor who practices in the region. Lakeridge Health is operating at capacity and needs 1,793 beds by 2041, more than double the current count. Critical care and trauma services are also needed locally. At the Town of Whitby, we're doing what we can to address these widening gaps. The Town is part of a new pilot partnership to bring 10 new family doctors to the future West Whitby Health Centre, which will open in 2024. Through the program, up to 10 doctors will be provided with an incentive of $50,000 each over a five-year term, funding for which will be equally shared between the Town and the Oshawa Clinic Group. Each doctor will have an anticipated 1,000 patients by the third year, to be maintained over the remainder of the five years. Whitby has also partnered with the Region of Durham and neighbouring municipalities to develop a Regional Family Physician Recruitment Program. This includes a welcome and settlement program for the students in the Queen's-Lakeridge Health MD Family Physician training program and plans to establish a Family Physician Recruitment & Retention Program. New hospital The Town also continues to advocate for a new hospital in Durham. It's now been almost two years since Lakeridge Health announced that an independent, expert panel selected a site in Whitby as the preferred site for a proposed hospital. This site will close the current service gap, provide unparalleled connectivity and bring care closer to home for all Durham residents Town staff and Council members are continuously pushing for this project to move forward and for the province to approve a $3 million planning grant for Lakeridge Health and facilitate the transfer of the hospital site from the Ministry of Transportation to the Town. Designing and building a hospital takes approximately 10 years. We can no longer wait for this important and needed project to receive approval to proceed. Mental Health We also know that the number of Durham residents struggling with mental health challenges is strikingly high compared to previous years. Currently, when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis they have only one possible destination- a busy emergency waiting room. Last year in Durham there were over 14,000 emergency department visits for mental health and addictions emergencies alone, across the Lakeridge Health locations. Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences does an amazing job of providing specialized assessment and treatment for people suffering from mental illnesses but does not have an emergency department. Ontario Shores is seeking support from the province to build an emergency department that uses the Emergency Psychiatric Assessment Treatment and Healing (EmPATH) model. This would ensure the right care in the right place while relieving pressure on our hospital. Need support At the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in August, I joined colleagues from the Region of Durham in making a delegation to Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Associate Minister Michael Tibollo, where we stressed the need for the Province to support us on critical healthcare needs. I encourage all Whitby residents to be part of this conversation. Use the hashtag, talk to your friends and neighbours, tell us about the healthcare gaps you're experiencing and how we can partner to help fix them. Together, we can make sure #DurhamHealthMatters. acceptance. The girls continue to ensure Jane is always invited to their activities. Yet despite the peer encouragement, Jane often chooses to skip out. She just doesn't seem interested. Instead she seeks fulfillment through self-expression in the form of creative online videos and photography. Her teammates have accepted this and have designated her team videographer and photographer. Encouraging teens to express themselves creatively can provide an outlet for their emotions and help build self-confidence. While those who don't fit in may feel like outcasts, having a safe space can really help kids belong. The hockey team is that safe space where Jane can connect with kids who have the same passion. When the group is at practices and games, Jane is in her element, a valued member of the team. The team has a philosophy of building individuals, not just hockey players. The girls know that it's okay to be themselves as they all have other interests besides playing competitive hockey. They play instruments, do art, sing, design fashion, act, and most play multiple sports. Emphasizing the value of authenticity and individuality helps them recognize that their uniqueness is a strength, not a weakness. So, while Jane often appears to struggle with the team's togetherness, the coaches recognize it's an opportunity to embrace her individuality. Her self-esteem is strong and it shows. She has her own mind and does her own thing. Sometimes her unconventionality leaves teammates scratching their heads. But when you get scrape past the surface, you can see an individual who might just to do something amazing one day. Durham Doctors House Call Service "Have The Doctor Come To You" Servicing Durham Region since 2015. (905) 619-6641 Service available for all ages with valid OHIP.