Peer Support Services and the CMHA Street Team

Oct 7, 2021

Peer Support Services

This program provides low-barrier access to people living with serious mental illness and addiction. It has drop-in services, outreach services, and services that require a referral.
Peer support is emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience, such as a mental health challenge or illness. A Peer Supporter has lived through a similar experience and is trained to support others.
Peer Supporters listen, provide emotional support, and most importantly, inspire hope.
Peer Support is a core contributor to the recovery process.
Those with lived experience have a valuable perspective because of that experience.

Drop-In Services

The Drop-In program provides a brave, inclusive space for socialization and connection. It includes access to wi-fi and simple snacks. Planned activities are available but participation is not mandatory. On the spot, 1:1 peer support is also available. You do not need to be a client of CMHA Hamilton to attend. The Drop-In program is available Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the CMHA Hamilton office located at 131 John Street South.

Click here to download the current Peer Drop-in Calendar of Events

SMART Recovery is a drop-in-style group program that delivers a curriculum to help people recover from addictive and problematic behaviors using a self-empowering and evidence-informed program. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The curriculum cycles through a 10-week program. Individuals can attend one or all modules as often as they like. SMART Recovery occurs every Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the CMHA Hamilton office located at 131 John Street South. To learn more about SMART Recovery, click here.

Mood Menders is a social and educational peer-facilitated group with an emphasis on the social aspect of coming together to share experiences with other members who face similar challenges. Mood Menders meets at William’s Café (47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton) on the 1^st Thursday of every month, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm for socialization. Mood Menders hosts a more formal, hybrid educational event every third month at the main Canadian Mental Health Association, Hamilton location (131 John Street South), from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, where members share coping skills, provide support, and network in a private, confidential space.

Outreach Services

Street Team provides accessible primary, mental health, and addictions care for people aged 16 and over experiencing chronic homelessness. The team includes registered nurses and peer support workers who visit shelter drop-ins and encampments across the city. The Street Team provides mental health, addictions support, and nursing care. The team distributes Naloxone and harm reduction supplies and facilitates connections to primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and addiction medicine specialists. In collaboration with the Social Navigator Program and the City of Hamilton’s Community Mental Health Promotion Program (CMHPP), the CMHA Hamilton Street Team assists with access and transitions into housing along with continued support to avoid eviction and institutionalization.

541 Eatery is an additional Street Team location where individuals experiencing chronic homelessness can access the services of registered nurses and peer support workers in a warm, safe environment.

Referred Services

Mental Health and Addiction Program (MAPs) is a partnership with the Ministry of the Solicitor General where individuals on probation who experience mental illness and/or addiction are referred to Peer Support. Peer Support Workers provide supportive and emotional counselling, goal setting, harm reduction, and system navigation to help reduce recidivism and re-integrate peers back into the community after incarceration. They are able to connect with service recipients in the community at the CMHA Hamilton office, or through virtual or phone check-ins.

1:1 Peer Support offers services to clients at the CMHA Hamilton office, in the community, or through virtual or phone check-ins. Support is provided with empathy and compassion focusing on building autonomy and self-determination. Peer Support Workers provide supportive and emotional counselling, goal setting, harm reduction, and system navigation. This program accepts referrals for clients already receiving services in another CMHA Hamilton program.

For additional information about Peer Support Services, call (905) 521-0090 or contact us at info@cmhahamilton.ca.