When staff and clients of Ontario Structured Psychotherapy – West Region (better known as “OSP West”, a program to treat anxiety and depression that is proudly supported by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and St. Joseph’s Health Care London [Ontario]), speak of participating in the program’s mental health care service, it is often described in terms of travel. For example, common phrases include “navigating” the mental health care system; getting support along a mental health “journey”; and taking steps forward on a “path” to recovery. 

Why do we talk about mental health care in this way? For Kyle Joedicke, a Hamilton-based Indigenous artist who was commissioned by OSP West to paint a mural for the waiting room at their head office in spring 2024, it is because “Mental health is somewhat…fluid…and doesn’t generally follow a linear path of care and treatment.”  

The journey toward better mental health isn’t just figurative: Clients must also take literal steps toward accessing care, such as learning how to use secure meeting technology, logging in to client portals to review appointment information, or going to an appointment at a physical location. For clients participating in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at OSP West’s head office, located in a high-rise building shared with accounting and law firms in downtown Hamilton, the goal is to offer a welcoming, tranquil, and reflective experience in an unsuspecting place. Joedicke’s waiting room mural does just that.

1 King Street West, Hamilton, where OSP West’s head office is located.

From L to R, in front of the mural: Menna Ataya, Program Manager, OSP West; Kyle Joedicke, Artist; Hiva Nematollahi, Intake Worker, OSP West. 

“We wanted to transform our space into one that embodies unity and diversity,” says OSP West’s Program Manager Menna Ataya, who, along with some other members of the OSP West team, partnered with Joedicke to come up with a plan for the space. “We acknowledge the barriers Indigenous Peoples, racialized folks, and 2SLGTBQI+ community members face in accessing mental health care supports. We knew it was important to work with an Indigenous artist who could collaborate with our vision and depict themes of resilience, strength, joy, diversity, nature, recovery, self-care, community care, and hope,” says Ataya.

In response, across three walls, Joedicke painted a river that transitions into the Two Row and Dish With One Spoon Wampum belts to “reflect the path of personal reconciliation … and remind us of the importance of a strong, healthy community and mutual respect.” Another major influence portrayed in Joedicke’s mural are the Seven Grandfather Teachings, principles that have been passed down among generations and promote “living a good life peacefully without conflict”, says Joedicke, who points out that the Teachings are relevant for everyone in our community, regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture. Each of the Teachings are represented by an animal figure. The buffalo represents respect, the eagle represents love, the bear represents bravery, the sabe represents honesty, the wolf represents humility, the beaver represents wisdom, and the turtle represents truth.

Joedicke’s mural includes a river (in blue, to the left) that transforms into the Two Row and Dish With One Spoon Wampum belts (in purple, to the right). Surrounding the river are animals that represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings. 

“The added visual interest of this mural has made our space much more inviting with both its vibrancy and calming energy,” says OSP West team member Vanessa Chappell. “Many clients have commented about how welcoming our space is since this piece has been painted. With the mural's placement at the reception/waiting area, folks have used the art as a talking point leading to comfort when arriving at OSP West,” says Chappell.

The team at OSP West is thankful to Joedicke for helping to make their space a welcoming, accepting, and thought-provoking environment where clients can learn to manage their anxiety or depression and staff can practice mindfulness of diversity and respect for differing world views, all one step at a time.  

 If you’re feeling down, worried, or stressed, visit www.OSPWest.ca and see if Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – available online or in person – is right for you. You don’t need to have a family doctor to sign up.”