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 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

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February Town Hall

Have your voice heard and help guide the future of the Collaborative Learning College. Join us for our very first monthly town hall where we will share updates about what is happening with the college and hear from you about what you want to see in the future. Bring your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

Date: Friday February 25th 2022
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
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writing, peer support, recovery college, toronto, camh

Writing Your Lived Experience

This course will focus on creative techniques for writing true stories about our recovery journeys. 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. This course is hosted by InkWell Workshops and is open to all women, trans men, and non-binary people -- regardless of previous writing experience.

Date: Every Tuesday starting January 25th until March 1st 2022
Time: 1pm to 2:30pm
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employment, peer support, recovery college, toronto, camh

Starting Your Own Business- Idea Generator

This workshop takes participants through interactive activities that allow them to explore ideas and possibilities to start on their entrepreneurship journey. If you have just begun to contemplate the potential of owning your own business, or have done some research already, this workshop is for you! This course is hosted by Rise Asset Development.

Date: Wednesday February 9th 2022
Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm
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The Music of Film- A Beginners Guide

Some film scores are almost as powerful as their films—just humming their melodies makes us remember how we felt while we were sitting, spellbound, in the theatre. Why is that? This course gives students of any musical background an insight into how film music is made and why it matters. Over four weeks, we will cover several key topics, such as: Why do films have music, and why is it important? How did film music evolve, from the first “talkies” to today’s blockbusters? How can a film composer and a director work together to achieve a great score? What are some of the most significant film scores of all time, and how did they help their movies become successful? And, what happens when a film score goes “wrong”? Using audiovisual examples from today and across history, students will discover some of the gems of film scoring, and develop an appreciation for an art form that is sometimes unnoticed, but can be extraordinarily powerful.

Date: Every Wednesday from February 2nd to 23rd 2022
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
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Music, the Mind and Healing

Music is a very important part of many people's lives, and we may wonder why it can affect us so deeply. In this course, we will learn what the science of psychology can say about why we make and enjoy music so much, and how it can help us to cope with life's challenges. We will encounter four topics that music psychologists have explored: Why do we make music? Why do we like music? How do we learn to be musical? And, can making music be healing? Using lots of examples of musical works and accounts of the experiences of musicians and music fans, we will learn how psychologists can help us to better understand our musical selves, and how we might experience music more richly.

Date: Every Tuesday from February 15th to March 8th 2022
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
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Connecting Through Food

Join us at our virtual dinner table as we talk about our day, explore our favourite foods, bond through recipes, and share tips/tricks for making sustainable, enjoyable, and accessible meals. Bring a dinner or snack to munch on throughout the session!

Date: Every Monday from January 10th to 31st
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
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New Year's Resolutions

New year resolutions are easy to set, but often hard to keep. Join us over 4 workshops as we look at how to be smarter about what resolutions we choose and barriers that get in our way so that we can achieve our chosen goals. This year, we don’t have to do it alone. Join a group of like-minded individuals all working together.

Date: Every Wednesday from January 5th -26th 2022
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm
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cooking, peer support, recovery college, toronto, camh

Cooking Essentials and Time-Saving Hacks

Learn essential foundational kitchen skills along with time-saving hacks to make delicious meals that are nutritious, accessible, and simple to prepare.

Date: Monday Feb 7th, 14th, 28th and March 7th
Time: 1pm to 2:30pm
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lunch, peer support, recovery college, toronto, camh

Lunch Time Peer Support January

Health Out Loud and the CAMH Collaborative Learning College are excited to bring you another lunch time Peer Support for January. 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.

Date: Every Tuesday
Time: Noon to 1pm
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Lunch Time Peer Support February

Date: Every Tuesday
Time: Noon to 1pm
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recovery college, balance, CAMH, mindfulness

Mindfulness Matters Drop-in January

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.

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm
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Mindfulness Matters Drop-in February

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm
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Peer Support Core Competencies Training- Waitlist

This course consists of 15 interactive training modules that will support your understanding of peer support core competencies and best practices. Topics include, peer support foundations, ethics and boundaries, as well as, trauma informed care practices. This training was developed by the Centre for Innovation in Peer Support.

**This is the waitlist to be notified of the next time we offer this course**
JOIN THE WAITLIST

The Art of Resume and Cover Letter Writing- WAITLIST

In this 2-session course, you will learn the art of writing a strong resume and cover letter. You will learn how to communicate your skills and experience so your application gets noticed. Find out how a few tips and tricks can make all the difference.

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

Your Mental Health Rights and The Law- WAITLIST

This online session, hosted in collaboration with the Empowerment Council, is for service users (people who have been on the receiving end of services) provides a basic overview of mental health legislation and related avenues for advocacy. We will discuss the Mental Health Act, the Psychiatric Patient Advocacy Office, the Human Rights Code and the role of people with lived experience in the evolution of human rights work in Ontario. Bring your questions and join us for an informative and engaging conversation.

This is the waitlist! Sign up to be notified when we're offering this course next.
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Creative Writing Techniques: Braving The Elements - WAITLIST

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.

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

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

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. Sign up and find out first when we offer our next session
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Monk, Hands, Zen, Faith, Person, Male, Pray, Religion

Introduction to Mindfulness - WAITLIST

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.

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