Beata has bipolar disorder and an anxiety condition, which makes it difficult for her to complete some of her daily activities.
She used to live alone, and found it very isolating. Without the support of others, she found it daunting to go out into the community.
Now, thanks to United Way partner Ancoura, Beata has an affordable place to live with roommates and volunteers, like Diane, who help her maintain a sense of security and routine.
We have amazing volunteers that are a lot of fun and caring. We do fun activities with them and we feel valued. Thanks to Ancoura and the United Way, it gives me a sense of security and routine.
Ancoura provides a supportive community for people living with mental illnesses in Ottawa. The collaborative efforts of staff, volunteers and residents help break down the stigma around mental illness and create a culture of equality, dignity and respect for people who need support.
One in five people in Ottawa will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime. United Way Ottawa ensures a wide variety of supports are in place, no matter the level of need. Since 2011, thanks to United Way donors, 178,095 people in Ottawa received mental health and crisis supports.
