June 13, 2025
Pride, Mental Health, and the Power of Community in Ontario
Pride Month in Ontario is a time for celebration, reflection, and action. It is a time to honour the strength and diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges that many still face, especially when it comes to mental health.
Read MoreMay 30, 2025
Strength in Equity and Diversity: Reflections from the 2025 Peer Support Conference
PeerWorks and Peer Support Canada co-hosted a conference this week that brought together peer supporters, advocates, leaders, and changemakers across Canada. This year's conference, "Strength in Equity and Diversity: Amplifying Voices, Ensuring Sustainability, and Building Stronger Peer Support Futures" received a record number of proposals and the highest attendance of any in-person PeerWorks conference.
Read MoreMarch 28, 2025
In this blog, we delve into the work of a Black Perinatal Mental Health Peer Support Team and how they are using Ubuntu principles to decolonize healing.
Read MoreFebruary 21, 2025
PeerWorks Secures Two Prestigious Federal Grants to Enhance Peer Support in Canada
Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario — A research team led by Dr. Lee de Bie in collaboration with PeerWorks and Peer Support Canada received two Government of Canada grants totalling more than $62,000. The funding will support the development of a national Code of Ethics for Peer Support as well as associated outreach and knowledge mobilization.
Read MoreFebruary 7, 2025
Fifth Annual Peer Support Strong Conference: Our Biggest to Date
2025 marked the 5th Annual Peer Support Strong Conference, a virtual conference hosted jointly by the Lived Experience & Recovery Network and PeerWorks. We had our biggest turnout to date ranging from 115 to 150 participants at different points in the day-long conference. The actual number of participants was even higher as multiple Peer Support Organizations streamed the conference at their drop-in centres and conference rooms.
Read MoreNovember 29, 2024
Empowered Narratives: Submission #9
PeerWorks invites people with lived experience to contribute their blogs and other creative expressions sharing their journeys of overcoming mental health and substance use challenges.
Read MoreNovember 11, 2024
Toronto, ON – PeerWorks and Peer Support Canada hosted an impactful education day at Queen's Park on November 5, 2024, engaging in numerous productive conversations with key staffers, Members of Provincial Parliament and Cabinet Members.
Read MoreNovember 1, 2024
PeerWorks Community Connect: Advancing Access to Peer Support
On October 30, 2024, the inaugural PeerWorks Community Connect event, "Advancing Access to Peer Support," was held at The 519 in Toronto. This event marks the beginning of a series aimed at fostering connections among peer-serving organizations across Ontario.
Read MoreSeptember 27, 2024
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in honour of the Indigenous children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led commemorative day to raise awareness about the impact of residential schools.
Read MoreJuly 23, 2024
In 2023, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed Bill 128, an act to proclaim that July is Disability Pride Month.
Read MoreJuly 4, 2024
On February 27th, Calvin Prowse facilitated a workshop with the goal of mapping some of the elements currently shaping the future of mental health and addictions peer support.
Read MoreJune 30, 2024
Empowered Narratives Submission # 5: Pride Month Edition
This Pride Month, PeerWorks invites 2SLGBTQIA+ people with lived experience to contribute their blogs and other creative expressions, sharing their journeys of overcoming mental health and substance use challenges.
Read More
June 21, 2024
National Indigenous Peoples Day
For generations, Indigenous communities have been celebrating their culture and heritage on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which falls on June 20th, 21st, and 22nd depending on the year.
Read MoreJune 19, 2024
PeerWorks Unveils Official Position Statement on Peer Support Integrity
NEWS RELEASE
Read MoreJune 7, 2024
Empowered Narratives Submission #4: Pride Edition
This Pride Month, PeerWorks invites 2SLGBTQIA+ people with lived experience to contribute their blogs and other creative expressions, sharing their journeys of overcoming mental health and substance use challenges.
Read MoreMay 31, 2024
Empowered Narratives Submission #3
PeerWorks invites people with lived experience to contribute their blogs and other creative expressions sharing their journeys of overcoming mental health and substance use challenges.
Read MoreMay 17, 2024
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is observed annually on May 17th.
Read MoreMay 10, 2024
PeerWorks 2024 Annual Conference and Lighthouse Awards
The Annual Conference and Lighthouse Awards took place on April 30th and May 1st. This year, the “Gathering Together, Dreaming Together, and Transforming Together” conference consistently reminded us that we must look to the past, not only to know the future but to remember how far we have come.
Read MoreMay 3, 2024
On the Other Side of Miscarriage
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week takes place April 29-May 5th. It is a campaign dedicated to discussing mental health problems before, during, and after pregnancy. This year, we want to highlight this story from Karin Thoms.
Read MoreApril 26, 2024
Empowered Narrative Submission #2
PeerWorks invites people with lived experience to contribute their blogs and other creative expressions sharing their journeys of overcoming mental health and substance use challenges.
Read MoreMarch 28, 2024
Empowered Narratives Submission # 1
PeerWorks invites people with lived experience to contribute their blogs and other creative expressions sharing their journeys of overcoming mental health and substance use challenges.
Read MoreMarch 8, 2024
International Women's Day: Women's Mental Health
In recognition of women’s history month, we want to take this opportunity to highlight how mental health issues impact women. As an all women-run organization, PeerWorks recognizes that mental health issues can affect women differently and some mental disorders are unique to women.
Read MoreMarch 1, 2024
“We cannot build peace without justice, and we cannot have justice without truth.” ~ Dr. Jean Augustine
Read MoreNovember 20, 2023
Honouring Lives: Transgender Day of Remembrance
According to the Trans Murder Monitoring report, which tracks murders reported in the media, 320 trans people were murdered around the world between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Those were only the ones reported in the news and that number is expected to be much higher. The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance held on November 20 to pay tribute to transgender people who lost their lives to acts of anti-transgender violence.
Read MoreNovember 9, 2023
Remembrance Day: Navigating Mental Health Resources for Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans
On November 11th, Remembrance Day is observed in Commonwealth member states to honour the armed forces members who lost their lives in the line of duty during World War I and subsequent conflicts.
Read MoreSeptember 29, 2023
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Every Child Matters
This September 30th marks the 3rd annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the 10th Orange Shirt Day in Canada.
Read MoreAugust 31, 2023
#WeSeeYou Campaign for International Overdose Awareness Day
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)
Read MoreAugust 4, 2023
Dreaming Together: (Re)Imagining Pathways for Peer Advancement
This blog post was written by Colene Allen and Calvin Prowse, two members of the PeerWorks board of directors
Read MoreJuly 12, 2023
In a world that often stigmatizes and marginalizes individuals with varying mental health needs, a movement known as Mad Pride has emerged, aiming to shift the mental health narrative. This blog post explores the concept of Mad Pride, celebrating diversity, challenging societal norms, and highlighting the crucial role of peer support. By shedding light on these topics, we can foster understanding, empathy, and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of their mental health experiences.
Read MoreJune 7, 2023
Navigating the Intersection of Mental Health, Addiction, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community
As we celebrate Pride Month, it is crucial to shine a light on the intersection of mental health, addiction, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The journey towards self-acceptance and navigating one's identity can be complex and challenging, particularly for individuals in this community. They face unique struggles, including a higher prevalence of mental health issues and addiction. This article will delve into these intersections, explore the challenges faced, and emphasize the importance of peer support, especially during Pride Month.
Read MoreMay 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 MoreMay 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.
March 1, 2023
A Call for Proposal for our Upcoming Annual Conference
Call for Proposals - Deadline: March 24th, 2023
Read More