William (Bill) Gapen, a part-time faculty member in 91ÑÇɫ’s School of Social Work who taught in the areas of mental health, addictions and social service, passed away on April 25 at the age of 70.
Gapen was born in Nipigon, Ont., on May 19, 1955.
His academic pursuits led him to earn a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of social work and a master’s of social work, after which he spent more than 30 years working as a social worker and systems consultant.
His work centred on youth and adults living with mental health and developmental challenges. Individuals in this population often have both a developmental disability and a mental health condition – a combination known in the social services sector as dual diagnosis. Gapen published widely on the subject and presented his research at conferences across Canada and the U.S. He also consulted on the development of community partnerships and support networks in social services across North America.
Gapen spent many years at Griffin Centre for Mental Health Services in Toronto, where he served as director of community development and education. In that role, he helped establish several regional support networks in Ontario: the Griffin Community Support Network, the Peel Crisis Capacity Support Network, the 91ÑÇÉ« Region Support Services Network and the Dufferin Crisis Community Support Network.
Each unit was built to support people living with serious and complex mental health needs through crisis and transitional services.
Beyond this work, Gapen taught as a part-time instructor at 91ÑÇÉ«'s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies as well as George Brown College, sharing his knowledge of mental health, addictions, developmental disabilities, social policy, social administration and community development with the next generation of practitioners.
He leaves behind his partner, Richard Nolan, and will be missed by his family, friends and former colleagues.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sept. 16 at the Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. W., North 91ÑÇÉ«, from 1 to 4 p.m. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to gabcap@sympatico.ca.