Championing Change: Susan Sanderson’s Unyielding Advocacy for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Funding

For 15 years, Susan Sanderson of Realistic Success Recovery Society has been a tireless advocate for adequate funding on behalf of mental health and substance use services. Her advocacy has initiated significant positive changes across the sector.

The Realistic Success Recovery Society was founded in 2007 by the late Gary Robinson. Historically, substance use was treated punitively, but, like Together We Can, Realistic Success offers well-run and ethical programs for men seeking recovery from addiction. However, funding, government structures, policies, and service delivery models do not meet the rising needs of a vulnerable population.

Both as President and then Executive Director, Susan Sanderson not only took up the role of her late husband’s passion for helping others but also became a driving force in the advocacy for mental health and substance use services. Her lobbying efforts led to the initiation of the first per diem of $30.90 daily, a modest sum but a start, nonetheless.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan rallied the recovery sector, encouraging involvement in subcommittees and spearheading a letter-writing campaign to the NDP provincial government. Her relentless advocacy culminated on March 12, 2024, when her efforts concluded with a substantial increase in funding for assisted living registered facilities (67%) and community care license programs (64%).

Together We Can would like to thank Susan Sanderson and all the people involved in the advocacy work aimed at helping operators of the addiction recovery sector, which has been struggling to meet the growing needs of our clients for decades.

Bravo.

Staff writer - Susan Hogarth