FORT FRANCES — Two Northwestern Ontario branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) are collaborating with a Thunder Bay community organization to launch a regional “recovery college.”
Modelled after peer-led learning centres in the U.K., the Northwest Recovery College will offer free virtual and in-person workshops to people served by the CMHA’s Fort Frances and Thunder Bay branches and Alpha Court, a non-profit organization in Thunder Bay’s north core.
The Fort Frances CMHA branch serves a large area including Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Atikokan as well as the Rainy River district.
“This is going to be fantastic for us in our Fort Frances location, Dryden location, and also our Kenora location,” Pauline Hyatt, the Fort Frances CMHA branch’s director of services, said after the recovery college was announced in Thunder Bay.
“We have peer workers in each of the locations and we have a large group of peer members who will be able to access courses online.
“And, after they’ve actually attended, they have potential to facilitate (learning) as well, so we build capacity with our members. So, this is super exciting.”
Recovery colleges, according to a news release from CMHA Thunder Bay, provide education and training in “skills that promote good mental health and well-being, as well as recovery from mental illness and addictions.”
Hyatt said Northwest Recovery College courses will be provided on-site in Thunder Bay and online in Fort Frances-branch communities.
“Together, both CMHA branches and Alpha Court will work to share best practices, encourage peer-to-peer collaboration and improve information sharing across our organizations through this initiative,” she said.
“We are thrilled to partner with CMHA Thunder Bay and Fort Frances on this initiative,” said Nicole Latour, executive director of Alpha Court.
“At Alpha Court, we provide service to the same members, and with this cross-over to be able to implement this valuable program makes it so much more accessible to our clients.”
Tiffany Stubbings, acting CEO of CMHA Thunder Bay, said the recovery centre will help people focus on “hope, empowerment, possibility and connection.”
“At CMHA, we’ve seen how this type of supportive and educational environment can help those impacted by mental illness, addictions, or struggling with mental health find new ways to rebuild their lives,” Stubbings said.
CMHA Kenora has operated a recovery college since 2022.
