Collaborative Learning College

What is a recovery college?

Recovery colleges are nonclinical-based education and training programs offered to people who have lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, and who feel ready to set goals, gain skills and make social connections as part of their personal journey. In keeping with internationally adopted approach to recovery-oriented education, the courses offered at the CAMH recovery college will be:

co-created and co-led by people with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges and/or social services use
offered free of charge in the community, including CAMH
adaptable to local needs and resources
open to people who have experienced mental health and/or addiction challenges and/or social services use, their family members, friends and health care providers, when appropriate.

Please note: All class are currently running virtually until further notice.

Available courses

× Please note you must create an account to view the content of the courses on this site. Create a new account

Be Inspired!

This a course is about collaboration and conversation, celebrating ideas that inspire and bring joy for individuals that identify as women. The aim of the group is to support one another during the ups and downs of life while sharing inspirational ideas, media clips, poetry, music and engaging in great conversation. Join us and start your week off with positivity and support!

Date: Every Monday starting October 25th 2021
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
SIGN UP

Exploring Suicidality

In this active learning journey we will be exploring suicide ideation to better understand what leads to suicide and how we can become more aware and create open dialogue for feelings. This course is for educational purposes only and is not a treatment or therapy group. The course is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about this topic, including those who may or may not have experience with suicidal ideation.

Date: Every Tuesday from October 5th-26th 2021
Time: 10:00am-11:30am
VIEW

The Art of Finding Good or Great Jobs

Knowing what’s important to us is key to finding a job that works for you. The right job requires knowing more about yourself and what you want, including your values, the workplace culture, your skill set and more. Take part in this week’s interactive session as we share some tools to find out what kind of work can be the most meaningful and successful for you. You may be surprised with the answers you find. This course is run in collaboration with Employment Works.

Date: Wednesday October 20th 2021
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm
SIGN UP

The Art of Looking for Work Online

Looking for work can be hard. Navigating your job search through the internet can be confusing. In this one hour workshop we’ll be exploring some of the more useful job related websites and how to use them effectively. Join us as we discuss sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and other employment related websites. This course is run in collaboration with Employment Works.

Date: Wednesday October 27th 2021
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
SIGN UP

The Art of Disclosure - Waitlist

Do you know your rights when it comes to disclosure of your mental health and/or addiction challenges in the workplace? Join us as we explore the what, when, and how of disclosure and employment. This workshop will help you understand how to request and advocate for workplace accommodations. This course is run in collaboration with Employment Works.

The Art of Resume Writing- Waitlist

In this workshop, we will explore the different formats for structuring your resume for the job you want. Participants will learn how to communicate your skills and experience so your resume gets noticed. Find out how a few tips and tricks can make all the difference. This course is run in collaboration with Employment Works.

A picture of a typewriter with paper in it

Creative Writing Techniques: Braving The Elements

This course will invite participants to explore creative writing and storytelling techniques in a safe and supportive environment. Each week, we will look at one or more of the building blocks of storytelling (setting, character, plot, scene, point of view, the use of figurative language) and apply these elements to a variety of creative writing forms such as fiction, memoir, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting. Through a series of exercises and examples, participants will be encouraged to build a mindful writing practice, develop their own voice, and be an active part of a creative community. While you are welcome to focus on a particular form through the entire course, you will have an opportunity to explore all forms. This course is hosted by Inkwell.

Every Tuesday from Sept. 21st to October 26th 2021 | Time: 1pm-2:30pm
VIEW

Creative Writing Techniques: Braving The Elements - WAITLIST

This is the waitlist! Sign up to be notified when we're offering this course next.
JOIN THE WAITLIST

Getting in Your Zone: Delicious N Nutritious - Waiting List

Live life in YOUR zone! Explore strategies and make action plans so you can live life the way you want. Discover simple tips and tricks to boost your nutrition, learn how to move in joyful ways, explore various stress relief strategies, and understand how to protect your sleep. Everyone has their own “zone” where they feel like their best self - let’s work together to find yours! Building a balanced meal can seem like an overwhelming task. Learn simple ways to boost the nutrition of your meal so you can live life “in your zone!”. This course is run in collaboration with Health Out Loud.

JOIN THE WAITLIST

Getting in Your Zone: Joyful Movement

Explore many forms of movement, and discover how you can feel “in your zone” while getting your groove on! Power up your day by incorporating small bursts of movement and debunk popular myths about exercise and physical activity. This course is run in collaboration with Health Out Loud.

Date: Monday October 18th 2021
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
SIGN UP

Getting in Your Zone: Sleep & Stress Management

Discover strategies to manage stress and sleep so you can live life the way you want. Whether it be living in the moment, focusing on the next step forward, or reflecting on things that have worked in the past - together we will find your “zone”. This course is run in collaboration with Health Out Loud.

Date: Monday October 25th 2021
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
SIGN UP

lunch, peer support, recovery college, toronto, camh

Chat and Chow October

Health Out Loud and the CAMH Collaborative Learning College are excited to bring you another Chat and Chow for October. Join like minded people for a one-hour, interactive, peer support group. This is an informal group for those looking to connect with others in a supportive space. Bring your lunch, your worries, your support, and your experience.

Every Tuesday | Noon to 1pm | Virtual
SIGN UP

research, CAMH recovery college, toronto, mental health, community, community based research, collaborative, learning, social connection

Tools for Community Based Research

Want to learn how service users can have a voice in mental health research?

In collaboration with University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Tools for Community Based Research (TFCBR) explores the basics of community-based mental health research involving service users. The course includes fun self-directed study activities, facilitator support, voices of service users and research specialists throughout, and 3 optional live classes. Our goal is to strengthen your participation in research!

Live classes: Friday Sept. 24th, Friday Oct. 15th and Friday Nov. 5th 2021 | Time: 10am-12pm
*Note: The majority of this course is self-directed.
VIEW

Tools for Community Based Research - WAITLIST

Want to learn how service users can have a voice in mental health research?

In collaboration with University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Tools for Community Based Research (TFCBR) explores the basics of community-based mental health research involving service users. The course includes fun self-directed study activities, facilitator support, voices of service users and research specialists throughout, and 2 optional live classes. Our goal is to strengthen your participation in research!

*Note: This is for our waitlist. Can't make it this time or is the other session full? Sign up and find out first when we offer our next session
JOIN THE WAITLIST

recovery college, balance, CAMH, mindfulness

Mindfulness Matters Drop-in October

A Weekly Drop-In Group For Mindfulness Practice and Discussion - Please register each month if you wish to join. Join us on Thursdays for 20 minutes of mindfulness practice followed by discussion. We meet each week for an hour and practice and discuss mindfulness. Participants are invited to share wisdom from their own practice, and each week we'll examine a topic in the study of mindfulness to explore in more depth. This is a drop in session and no prior experience is required. These sessions are open to those who are in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges.

**This virtual drop-in runs every Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.**
SIGN UP

Monk, Hands, Zen, Faith, Person, Male, Pray, Religion

Introduction to Mindfulness

This course will discuss mindfulness as a psychotechnology and explore mindfulness of a variety of objects (the breath, a flame, smoke, parts of the body), as well as focus on cultivating a more mindful approach to everyday life. We will frequently discuss the importance of compassion, and it is a core tenet of this course that it is critical to nurture and cultivate compassion and loving-kindness alongside mindfulness practice. We will try a variety of meditations including following the breath while sitting, walking, lying down, and mantra work. We will also discuss techniques for coping with difficult emotions, cravings and urges, and pain as well as teach students a variety of mindfulness practices like the body scan and Tonglen meditation.

Wednesdays Sept. 22 to Oct 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon | Virtual
SIGN UP

Introduction to Mindfulness - WAITLIST

By signing up for the waitlist we will notify you first of our next offering
JOIN THE WAITLIST

ExperieNCe: Working in Groups - Self-directed

In collaboration with CAMH and Niagara college, this course will discuss topics related to working with others and aims to build personal and professional skills through shared experiences and reflection. Concepts such as group dynamics, conflict management, decision making and building successful working relationships with others is at the center of discussion.
Through this partnership, you will be eligible for a credit at Niagara College in the Child and Youth Care or Educational Assistant Special Needs Support Program by completing this course, free of charge
If you are interested in attending college, this pathway has many advantages. You will not only receive a credit, we will also support you along the way to assist you in getting to Niagara College and supporting you while you are there

This course is self-directed. You can take it at your own pace. Click "VIEW COURSE" for more details
VIEW COURSE

Making Comics For Yourself with Georgia Webber- WAITLIST

When and how we choose to declare ourselves to the world is hard to control in life, but in art, we hold all the power. For those struggling to know themselves, and to feel their own agency and creativity, comics are a powerful tool for reflection, enjoyment, community, and self-discovery. Join us for this four-week course as we explore a range of creative experiences, skills for self-discovery, and tools for making comics

Add your name to the waitlist to be first to find out when we are offering this workshop again
JOIN THE WAITLIST

CAMH recovery college, events, community, toronto, depression, anxiety, social connection

Community Partners and Events

Looking for community events? Want to see other special opportunities going on in your community? Visit this section for a listing of different announcements our partners have to share with you.

Want to view these without registering? You can use the password 'guest'

VIEW PARTNER EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING COLLEGE