Community Awareness Program

The MHASSC’s Community Awareness Program aims to reduce stigma of mental illness through a variety of methods targeted to consumers of mental health services, their families, mental health service providers, teachers, students, self-help groups and the community at large.

-1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness within their life
-for Canadians 15-24, suicide is the number 2 cause of death
-each day 500 000 Canadians will miss work due to mental health problems 

Learning and Resource Centre:

• To assist people in finding the services and information required to better understand and cope with mental illness
• Lending library with books, videos and internet access
• Specific illness kits
• Brochures and information on a variety of services and issues
• Monthly newsletter

Workshops Offered:

Suicide Intervention:

• A.S.I.S.T. is a two day workshop designed to help caregivers assess risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk the suicide
• Condensed workshops available upon request

Mental Illness Awareness:

• A workshop providing a general overview of major mental illnesses and its effects on people’s lives

Helping Skills:

• A series of workshops to provide information on developing helping skills

Trauma:

• A one day workshop geared towards front line workers in health and social service agencies
• Basic training around the issue of helping trauma survivors who experience long term mental health issues

Other Opportunities:

• Other training tailored to meet individual needs of agencies/companies
• Speaking/teaching opportunities to schools/professionals

Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

How to Apply: Anyone can make a referral including self-referrals. To make a referral or learn more about the program call (705) 726-5033 ext 285

For the mental health booklet series with more information on mental health and mental illness, please visit http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3&lang=1