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At the time Earl Albrecht painted this panel, the Kingston Psychiatric
Hospital, close to St. Mark's Church, had about 1200 psychiatric patients, and
St. Mark's had an active KPH visitation program.
Today KPH has become "Providence Continuing Care Center - Mental Health
Services," and there are far fewer inpatients, as more and more patients are moved
into the community. But there are still many opportunities for ministry. Members of St. Mark's are actively involved with Frontenac Community Mental Health Services, which provides 11 group homes in the Kingston community for the psychiatrically disabled and recovering; Peer Support of Kingston (PSOK), an organization offering companionship, peer support, fun and workshops and life skills to present and former consumer/survivors of mental health services; VOCEC, an organization dedicated to initiating and supporting small businesses operated, staffed, and managed by present and former psychiatric patients and others; and individual visits in PCCC-Mental Health and the Psychiatric wards of Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital. For many years, members of St. Mark's have been employed on the staff of PCCC, KGH, Hotel Dieu and Ongwanada. |