Collaborative Learning College

What is the Collaborative Learning College?

The Collaborative Learning College is a recovery college that offers 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 Collaborative Learning College are:

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
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.

About Us

Available courses

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Monthly Calendars

Looking to download a copy of this month's calendar or want to see our past calendars? You can find all our current and past offerings here.

Updated monthly
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Get Involved!

Looking for ways to get involved with the CLC? Check out our Get Involved page for current opportunities.

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Yale LET(s) Lead Information Session

The Collaborative Learning College is partnering with Yale University to deliver LET(s)Lead—The Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy. We are seeking people with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges who want to develop leadership skills to apply for the 2023-2024 cohort. Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about the program and the application process.

Date: Wednesday June 21st
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Date: Thursday June 22nd
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Peer Support Drop-In Group for May

Welcome to our peer support group! We’re a community of individuals who come together to offer support/ encouragement in navigating the challenges of mental health. We strive to create a space that is empathetic and compassionate where folks can feel heard, validated, and supported. We understand that mental health struggles can be overwhelming and isolating, and our goal is to provide a sense of connection and belonging in the group.

Date: Every Tuesday in May
Time: Noon to 1pm
Location: Virtual
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Peer Support Drop-In Group for June

Date: Every Tuesday in June
Time: Noon to 1pm
Location: Virtual
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Pet Therapy with Pelusa

Join Pelusa every Tuesday from 2-3pm in the Patient and Family Learning Space (1025 Queen St. West, Toronto ON). No registration is required!

Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm EST
Location: 1025 Queen St. West
MORE INFO

Music Appreciation Group

This group, hosted by Mobile Arts Programming (MAP), is open to anyone who listens to music. Each week, we check in with each participant to find out what music they are into. After listening to some examples, we will discuss what we liked, disliked and everything in between. Whether it’s a new release or something you’ve listened to for a lifetime, this group provides a platform for discussion about all things music. Additionally, there is an option to explore music creation using a web-based program. No experience is required as this will be guided by the group facilitators.

Date: Fridays | March 3rd - June 9th
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Writing Drop-In Group

Hosted by Inkwell, this drop-in group will host discussions on various writing genres such as fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry as well as writing-related topics like writer's block. It will also provide a space to share and discuss your work with other writers!

Date: Wednesdays | April 5th- May 24th
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Special Topics in Creative Writing

This course, hosted in collaboration with Inkwell, will invite participants to continue their creative writing journey and expand on concepts introduced in Creative Writing Essentials. In Special Topics in Creative Writing, we will explore creative writing across various genres and forms, including poetry, fiction, stage plays, and screenwriting. Special topics will include creating figurative language, crafting poetic lines, writing memorable dialogue, writing comedically, and world-building through setting and character. Through exercises and examples, participants will be encouraged to deepen their writing practice, experiment with new forms, and be active participants in a creative community.

Date: Tuesdays | May 2nd - June 6th
Time: 1pm-2:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Guided Historical Tour of Humber Lakeshore

Discover the 89-year history of the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital by exploring the patient-built underground tunnels and unfinished attics and dig deeper into the realities of the campus’ history across different decades. The tour will be followed by a workshop in the afternoon to reflect on the experience. Lunch and reimbursement for TTC transportation will be provided.

Date: Wednesday June 7th
Time: 11am - 4pm EST
Location: In-person at Humber Lakeshore Campus
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Writing Our Lived Experience

Hosted in partnership with Inkwell Workshops, this course will focus on creative techniques for the true stories of writers who are disabled and have lived experience of mental health. By looking at published examples of memoir and essays, participants will develop their voices and the writing tools at their disposal in a supportive, safe, and welcoming environment. Each week, there will be time for writing, sharing, and discussion about the particular challenges of memoir writing. We will also explore the importance of self-care and mindfulness practices when delving into personal material.

Date: Wednesdays| June 7th - July 26th
Time: 2:30pm-4pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Comedy Night!

Join us for a fun night of comedy! This will be an evening of laughter and discussion featuring clips from a variety of comedians. The evening will be facilitated by Ryan Zeitz, a stand-up comedian, mental health survivor, and peer support worker.

Date: Wednesday May 31st
Time: 7pm-8pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Joke Writing

In this workshop, participants will explore joke structure and the diverse ways that famous comedians approach writing their material. The workshop will be facilitated by Ryan Zeitz, a stand-up comedian, mental health survivor, and peer support worker.

Date: Tuesday June 13th
Time: 2pm-3:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Speak Easy

Hosted in collaboration with Employment Works, this fun weekly group supports building and enhancing communication skills to improve your ability to deliver prepared and impromptu speeches, network, and perform in job interviews. Open to non-native and native English speakers, to people of all comfort levels with public speaking.

Date: Thursdays | May 25th- June 29th
Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Mindfulness for Mental Health

In this interactive and engaging 8-week virtual course, participants will learn a variety of mindfulness and somatic-based practices for calming anxiety, managing depression, and supporting recovery. Each class contains psychoeducation, guided meditation, gentle yoga, and self-reflection in a safe and supportive space. Participants will have the opportunity to share and connect with other mental health warriors on the healing path. Topics covered include mindfulness, neuroscience, grounding, self-awareness, inner peace, gratitude, work-life balance, setting healthy boundaries, and developing helpful coping mechanisms.

Date: Wednesdays | May 10th - June 28th
Time: 11am-12:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Peer Support Core Competencies Training

The Peer Support Core Competencies Training was developed by the Centre for Innovation in Peer Support. It consists of 15 interactive virtual training modules that cover topics including; foundations of peer support, communication, ethics and boundaries, self-determination, trauma-informed care practices and more.

Date: Thursdays | May 18th to August 24th
Time: 10am-12pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Stand Up Comedy for Mental Health

They say laughter is the best medicine... It's a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason! In this 8-week course, participants will be empowered to reframe their lived experience through the lens of humour, in a collaborative and supportive environment. Topics covered will include joke elements and structure, brainstorming and writing techniques (like how to overcome writer's block!), various comedic styles, and how to approach comedy ethically. We will explore these topics through a variety of written and video examples and apply them practically with multiple writing exercises throughout the course. Feedback will be available upon request, and participants are encouraged to provide supportive feedback to their peers, as well! The course will culminate in a short performance of a 3-minute comedy set.

Date: Tuesdays | July 4th - August 29th
Time: 2pm-4pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Interpersonal Communications

This 4-week course will draw on Non-Violent Communication (NVC) techniques to improve your ability to communicate assertively and empathetically. NVC is an approach to communication based on principles of empathy and compassion. Throughout the course, we will learn to clarify what we are observing in interactions, what emotions we are feeling, what our needs are, and what we want to ask in ourselves and others. As well, we will learn to shift from conventional styles of communication that are sometimes rooted in blame and judgment. Participants will develop tools and techniques to experience how to contribute to other’s well-being through interpersonal communication, while maintaining self-empathy through discussion, videos, didactic teachings, and activities.

Date: Wednesdays | July 5th - 26th
Time: 10am-12pm EST
Location: CAMH- 1025 Queen St. West
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Coping with Procrastination

Through the use of art, this eight-week virtual course for women-identifying individuals provides an opportunity to connect with others, provide and receive support, gain deeper understanding about procrastination, and learn strategies to cope more effectively with procrastination. No previous art experience required.

Date: Mondays | July 10th - August 28th
Time: 6pm-8pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Adulting

Growing up can feel challenging. Join us in a non-judgmental course, where we will go back to the basics of routines, and adulting. Each week, we will examine helpful habits, organizational strategies, and preparations for your adult years.

Date: Mondays | July 10th - August 28th
Time: 3pm-4:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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Pet Loss and Grief: Writing to Heal

This 6-week facilitated writing group designed for people coping with the loss of a companion animal (through death, surrender, rehoming, lost pet). Participants will work in a supportive group environment to write and share their memories, and their experience of loss, discovering new thoughts, feelings and ideas that will help them move forward and adjust to life without their beloved animals.

Date: Thursdays | July 6th - August 10th
Time: 1pm-2:30pm EST
Location: Virtual
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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
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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