May 26, 2023
PeerWorks would like to present "The Power of Peer Support," a short video where some of the members of our community speak about what peer support means to them.
Read MoreWelcome to PeerWorks
PeerWorks is an organization of organizations.
Our members are mental health Consumer/Survivor Initiatives and Peer Support Organizations across Ontario. These organizations are run by and for people with lived experience of a mental health issue or addiction issue. Our members provide a wide range of services and activities within their communities. No two are the same, but all approach their activities from the common understanding that people can and do recover with the proper supports in place, and that peer support is integral to successful recovery. Most of our member organizations work with their local mental health system tables to bring the consumer voice to service planning, evaluation, and coordination, and provide direct informal or formal peer support and self-advocacy support to individuals.
PeerWorks in turn brings the voice of these organizations to provincial-level policy and planning processes, research projects, and system advocacy issues.
From the Blog
View All Blog PostsMay 19, 2023
PeerWorks and Members Visit Queen's Park
On May 8th, 2023, PeerWorks and some of its member organizations visited Queen's Park. Our visit aimed to educate and raise awareness on the importance and need for community-based peer support organizations. Throughout the day, Allyson Theodorou, PeerWorks Operations Director, and representatives of our member organizations met with Members of the Provincial Parliament and their staff to speak about the importance of peer support.
Read MoreMarch 3, 2023
Black Mental Health Week: Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Services within Black Communities
While Black individuals may experience mental health issues at similar rates as other racial or ethnic groups, they are far less likely to seek help. According to a 2018 survey of 328 Black Canadian residents, only 38.3% of Black Canadian residents, who self-reported poor or fair mental health, used mental health services. Meanwhile, 50.4% of white Canadians, who self-reported similar mental health conditions, sought services.