User:Rpaylor

Current Programs[edit]

The Canadian Mental Health Association has established various programs aimed at combating mental health issues. One of these is Peer Support Canada, an organization which specializes in connecting certified people who have experienced and beaten mental health issues with current sufferers. The group also offers a certification, a three-phase program where individuals are be assessed and verified based on the national Standards of Practice regarding the knowledge and skills necessary to assist those with mental health challenges.

Not Myself Today is a campaign directed at addressing mental health issues by cultivating a better workplace culture through training and services in corporations. Companies that utilize the program receive a toolkit comprised of planning support, awareness and engagement activities, and evaluation tools. Participants are also obtain access to an exclusive online portal, as well as national recognition from the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The CMHA introduced Carryit in 2019, a toolkit to be used by those involved in schools to carry with them in case of opioid overdoses. The kit includes a method by which schools can create opioid overdose protocols through providing educational materials on opioids and naloxone, fact sheets related to drug use, social media content examples, posters, and other useful tools to create an understanding and blueprint of how to combat drug overdoses in educational institutions.

The CMHA has introduced Recovery Colleges, that bring together both trained professionals and those who have lived with mental health issues to develop and deliver courses designed to facilitate the hope and skills necessary to help students recover. They are based off of a similar system that was started in 2009 in the UK and have spread to several locations in Canada, thus far. Peer Support Canada has also played an integral role in connecting those with shared experiences to provide emotional support and have collaborative discussions in how to achieve recovery.

Shortcomings

Kingston Branch Closure

In March of 2020, the Canadian Mental Health Association was forced to close down its Kingston Branch due to a lack of financial support. After 40 years of operations, the branch's overhead costs were too high to sustain and were not being met through the fundraising efforts and grants that fuel the organization. A change in Ontario's health funding as well as insufficient donations did not provide adequate capital to continue operations. The branch focused on ensuring programs previously offered through the Kingston CMHA would be adopted and available through other non-for-profit agencies, including the Polson Park Free Methodist Church, TransFamily Kingston, and Elizabeth Fry Kingston. All remaining funds were donated to partners within the community.