L’Accolade was born in 1991, when a group of families faced with the mental illness of their loved ones got together through a “parents and friends” support group set up by La Maison sous les arbres in 1988. With the assistance of the Fédération des familles et amis de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale (FFAPAMM), organizers from the Châteauguay local community service centre, and professionals from the Hôpital Anna-Laberge, these pioneers established an interim board of directors.
In November of that same year, a non-profit corporation was set up under the name “L’Accolade Châteauguay” to support families serviced by the Châteauguay, Jardin du Québec and Kateri community centres.
In 1992, our organization was officially recognized by the Montérégie regional health and social services board and by grants from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.
Since then, our organization has spread its roots and expanded its services throughout the area. As a community group advocating for mental health, L’Accolade participates actively in local initiatives (such as those of the Centre de Santé et des services sociaux Jardins-Roussillon) as well as in regional and provincial bodies of family associations (including FFAPAMM and Montérégie mental health services). Our involvement is upheld by an unwavering commitment toward families and the community.
In 2007, our organization changed its name from “l’Accolade Châteauguay” to “L’Accolade Santé mentale” in an effort to better reflect our service sector (the area covered by the Centre de santé et de services sociaux Jardins-Roussillon). Our members also wanted a name that pointed to our field of expertise.
1991–2011 – 20 years of action