ABOUT US
Men’s Health Initiative (MHI)'s goal is to increase supportive, community-based networks for men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) within Interior BC while raising attention to their needs and concerns. Ultimately, our hope is to build on the remarkable strengths and resilience of the diverse queer men communities within Interior BC.
The key demographic of the MHI program is any and all queer men in the Interior of BC. The key issues that it hopes to address are accessibility and support for queer men accessing healthcare, with a specific focus on sexual health, HIV/AIDS, & Hep C; addressing gaps in queer men's connectivity and networking in the area; and providing education and community outreach to individuals, service providers, and businesses in regards to queer men's issues and needs.
The specific services provided can be split into Community, Individuals, and Service Providers. Some of the examples of services provided, or that we hope to provide are as follows:
Community:
- Promotion of STI services for queer men
- Education workshops (i.e., Inclusivity, Queer Competency, Queer Men's Needs and Concerns, etc.)
- Harm reduction supplies and services
- Drug checking information and services
- Educational outreach through social media outlets (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- Support group for queer men living with HIV/Hep C
- Networking events
Individuals:
- Advocacy and guidance for queer related issues
- Support for queer men living with HIV/Hep C (i.e., Counselling, Follow-ups, Service Connections, etc.)
- PrEP/PEP access and resources
Service Providers:
- Queer competency education for businesses and service providers (In conjunction with the Harm Reduction Education Team)
- Advocacy and education on HIV medication/treatment/prevention
This includes, but is not limited to:
Asexual, bisexual, cis, curious, gay, non-binary, queer, questioning, trans, two-spirit, and all other men-who-have-sex-with-men.
Our broad geographical reach includes, but is not limited to:
Castlegar, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, Penticton, Revelstoke, Vernon
and rural & remote areas around & in between.
This includes the regions of the East Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary, Okanagan, Thompson Cariboo Shuswap, and their First Nations unceded territories.
PARTNERSHIPS
MHI is a program partnership between ANKORS, CBRC, and LPRC.
ANKORS MISSION:
To respond to the evolving needs of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other bloodborne pathogens; and to foster healthy, informed communities.
CBRC MISSION:
Dedicated to using community participatory research to develop knowledge about gay men’s health and to develop interventions addressing health and social issues.
LPRC MISSION:
To provide prevention, education, and support services, with a focus on wellness, to anyone living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, hepatitis C, or other blood-borne infections.
