MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges officially launches 2-1-1 information and referral service

PHOTO COURTESY PEXELS

The bilingual 2-1-1 service offering referrals regarding community, health and social services in Vaudreuil-Soulanges was launched during Mental Health Awareness Week May 7 to 13.

The Municipalité Régionale de Comté (MRC) de Vaudreuil-Soulanges officially launched its 2-1-1 service which is available to all residents who need information or referrals regarding a wide range of community, health and social services offered throughout the region.

The MRC began to highlight the official start of the important community-based information and referral service as part of Mental Health Week that was held from May 7 to 13. It’s easily accessible by telephone seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 365 days a year.

There is also a 2-1-1 web-based internet service that allows users to browse through a range of 20 topics that include government services, psychosocial support, justice and advocacy, seniors, mental health and addictions, and sports and recreation.

Emergency assistance

The importance of being able to provide diverse information on a wide range of topics was highlighted during the unprecedented spring flooding that occurred in several MRC municipalities last May. The 2-1-1 service will allow users to find the information they need promptly, said MRC Prefect Patrick Bousez.

“Last year at this time, our region was greatly affected by the floods. Our communities have been through difficult times and our community-based resources have played a major role. We are pleased to be able to offer this new service to the entire population of Vaudreuil-Soulanges and to be able to refer them to the right people when they feel the need,” said Bousez.

Regional assistance

Among the many important social aspects provided by the 2-1-1 service, it will help to combat poverty and social exclusion by enabling people with non-urgent social needs to be quickly informed about community-based resources that will provide assistance, including mental health, food aid and housing, said MRC Public Relations Counsellor Julie Cassab.

“It was important for us because it really aims to help the entire population and is particularly geared for people who are vulnerable, such low-income families, caregivers, seniors, handicapped people, immigrants and people who live alone. They now have the resources to find a good match,” said Cassab.

While the MRC 2-1-1 has direct links to the services provided by the Communauté Métropolitain de Montréal (CMM), the Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montreal and Centraide Greater Montreal, the regional service focuses on organizations that provide direct links to the same services within Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

“We’ve been working with organizations throughout the territory to make sure we have every resource on the map. We have the entire territory included,” said Cassab.

Bilingual and multilingual access

While health, mental and social services are an important component of the 2-1-1 service, Cassab said it’s important for people to understand that other non-emergency information is also available on topics related to education, sports and recreation, and employment and income.

“It’s a beautiful service. Everything is bilingual. There are also 200 languages available with our telephone service so the immigrants who are coming to Canada who don’t speak English or French, they can receive assistance with this service,” said Cassab.

Citizens are invited to discover all the services available in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region by visiting the 2-1-1 website at https://www.211qc.ca/en/directory/monteregie/mrc-vaudreuil-soulanges.