March 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.
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March 1, 2023
A Call for Proposal for our Upcoming Annual Conference
Call for Proposals - Deadline: March 24th, 2023
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December 22, 2022
4 Things to Remember This Holiday Season (Plus, a Resource Guide)
The holidays mean different things to different people. For some, they are a time of joy and celebration, a time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and a time to be with your loved ones. For others, they can be incredibly stressful and triggering when it comes to feelings of anxiety or depression or a history of disordered eating and addiction. Here are some things to keep in mind this holiday season:
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March 22, 2021
Addressing the Rise of Anti-Asian Racism and Supporting Asian-Canadian Community Members
Anti-Asian racism has been on the rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and media outlets are reporting incidences of violence and discrimination similar to those that occurred during the 2003 SARS outbreak.
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February 28, 2021
Black Mental Health Matters: Resources for Learning and Change
Today marks the second annual Black Mental Health Day in Ontario and another opportunity to emphasize that our system needs to do better when it comes to supporting the mental health of Black Canadians.
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January 28, 2021
In an Ongoing Pandemic, Affordable Access to Technology is a Public Health Issue
This year’s Bell Let’s Talk comes almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic – a time in which Canadians have faced unprecedented isolation, stress, and uncertainty that has taken a clear toll on our mental health.
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December 23, 2020
Resources for Surviving a Pandemic Holiday
The holidays can be a challenging time in an ordinary year: increased family obligations, financial stress, gatherings centred around food and alcohol and at times heightened feelings of loneliness. But with COVID-19 restrictions, this year may pose an extra challenge to maintaining your sense of overall wellness.
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December 8, 2020
Peer Support Strong: Reflecting on the Power of Peers
Last week, we came together as a community to celebrate Peer Support Week along with Lived Experience Recovery Network (LERN) and Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services (NMHHSS). The event drew together more than 200 registrants across Ontario in support of celebrating, supporting and showing the strength of peer support workers and organizations within the province.
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November 15, 2020
Preparing for Winter Wellness with Lived Experience & Recovery Network’s Kari Sterling
As winter approaches and COVID-19 restrictions tighten yet again in Ontario, we know the risk of Canadians’ mental health declining is high. Cold temperatures mean less opportunities for outdoor socialization, the closing of more services and of course, reduced daylight hours posing new challenges for those who struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
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November 3, 2020
Preparing for Winter Mental Wellness With Northern Initiative for Social Action
As winter approaches and COVID-19 restrictions tighten yet again in Ontario, we know the risk of Canadians’ mental health declining is high. Cold temperatures mean less opportunities for outdoor socialization, the closing of more services and of course, reduced daylight hours posing new challenges for those who struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
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October 13, 2020
AGM and 11th Annual Lighthouse Awards Recap
After months of social distancing and isolation, last week’s Annual General Meeting (2019-2020) and 11th Annual PeerWorks Lighthouse Awards ceremony was truly a testament to the strength of our peer community.
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October 10, 2020
On World Mental Health Day, We Want More Funding for Mental Wellness
Every year on October 10th, organizations across the globe observe the World Health Organization’s “World Mental Health Day”. This year, that day comes during a time of enormous uncertainty and societal upheaval as a result of COVID-19.
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June 9, 2020
4 Tips for Maintaining Wellness While Working from Home
Since moving to a remote workforce, Julia Read and her coworkers at CMHAWW Self Help and Peer Support Team have had ups and downs. They shared their tips for maintaining wellness while working from home as workplaces continue to practice social distancing.
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May 12, 2020
How to Access Remote Peer Support During COVID-19
A growing list of phone/online peer support resources Consumer-Survivor and Support Lines/Online Groups: Centre for Innovation in Peer Support: www.centreforinnovationinpeersupport.com The Center offers two large streams of virtual services & programming.
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May 12, 2020
Laughter and Wellness in the Midst of a Pandemic
Allan Strong, long-time peer support advocate and Peer Support Coordinator at Choices for Change, shares his thoughts on the importance of maintaining one’s sense of humour through COVID-19.
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March 24, 2020
What you need to know about COVID-19
On March 17, the province of Ontario declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, a new virus that is spreading rapidly across the world. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
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March 18, 2020
Support for Ontario’s Health and Social Service Workers During COVID-19
We wanted to do something a little different this week as our NewsToGo Team steps back to navigate a new environment and supporting our community through COVID-19 becomes an increased priority.
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March 10, 2020
PeerWorks' 2020 Peer Support Conference: Save the Date and Call for Proposals
We are excited to invite proposals in several formats for our two conference themes. All are welcome to submit a proposal, including those who will be first-time attendees.
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March 8, 2020
International Women’s Day 2020
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day as declared by the United Nations is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.
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January 29, 2020
Let’s Talk About Building A Peer-Driven Mental Health Care System
Every year for #MentalHealthWeek, Canadians come together to start a conversation around mental health. As a mental health and addictions non-profit, we know this conversation needs to take place 365 days of the year.
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January 9, 2019
Why the Definition of “Disability” in Social Assistance Matters to PWLE in Ontario
Ontarians head into the New Year, more than a month since the November 22nd press conference that outlined social assistance changes.
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October 17, 2018
Advocating for Paul and Protecting Peter
As we ease towards winter and a full up-and-running provincial government, what can we expect? Make no mistake; Ontario is fast becoming a defensive environment for people with lived experience in Ontario.
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September 14, 2018
GUEST BLOG: Building a Robust Peer Navigator Program to Accelerate Recovery: Q&A with a Peer Program Coordinator
Coordinating Care for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders, a unique program in Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, uses peer navigators to engage people with substance use disorder (SUD) who visit the emergency department or are hospitalized.
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August 27, 2018
Peer Support is Trending in Ontario
It can be said that peer support in Ontario is developing in new directions recognized in the mainstream.
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