Skip to Content

From the Blog

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.  

  

Read More

March 1, 2023

A Call for Proposal for our Upcoming Annual Conference


Call for Proposals - Deadline: March 24th, 2023  

 

 

Read More

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:  

Read More

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. 

Read More

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. 

Read More

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.

Read More

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. 

Read More

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.

Read More

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).

Read More

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).

Read More

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. 

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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. 

Read More

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. 

Read More

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. 

Read More

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. 

Read More

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. 

Read More

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”

Read More

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. 

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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. 

Read More

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.

Read More