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Peer Support: A Lighthouse of Caring Connections

Maps and charts are great, but when planning a journey – or feeling lost on one – it's better to talk to someone who has been there, done that. Peer supporters are living, breathing proof that recovery is achievable. They can help you navigate the journey to wellness by shedding light on the rocky parts.

Welcome to Ontario Peer 
Development Initiative

Ontario Peer Development is an organization of organizations. Our members are mental health Consumer/Survivor Initiatives and Peer Support Organizations across Ontario. These organizations are run by and for people with lived experience of a mental health issue or addiction issue. Our members provide a wide range of services and activities within their communities. No two are the same, but all approach their activities from the common understanding that people can and do recover with the proper supports in place, and that peer support is integral to successful recovery. Most of our member organizations work with their local mental health system tables to bring the consumer voice to service planning, evaluation, and coordination, and provide direct informal or formal peer support and self-advocacy support to individuals.

OPDI in turn brings the voice of these organizations to provincial-level policy and planning processes, research projects, and system advocacy issues.

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OPDI Blog

January 29, 2020
Let’s Talk About Building A Peer-Driven Mental Health Care System

By OPDI

We need more funding for peer support initiatives in Canada.

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January 9, 2019
Why the Definition of “Disability” in Social Assistance Matters to PWLE in Ontario

By OPDI

Ontarians head into the New Year, more than a month since the November 22nd press conference that outlined social assistance changes. Apart from remarks by the Minister at that time that any…

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October 17, 2018
Advocating for Paul and Protecting Peter

By OPDI

As we ease towards winter and a full up-and-running provincial government, what can we expect?   Make no mistake; Ontario is fast becoming a defensive environment for people with lived experience in Ontario. …

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What People Are Saying

"Peer Supporting has been successful and well implemented in our Organization and the Community. We believe OPDI's Peer Support Training & Support from their Staff to ours has led us in many directions. Thank you OPDI for all you do."
P.S.N.E., Peer Supporting Mental Health, Addictions, Poverty & Homelessness
"OPDI’s NewsToGo is an invaluable resource. I eagerly await each edition to come into my inbox. As a former policy analyst working in mental health and now a PhD researcher working in the same area, I am kept informed by articles that are interesting and relevant to my work and which I can’t find anywhere else!"
Pam Lahey
"Thank you to OPDI for making a difference in my life and the lives of people with lived experience around this province and beyond. OPDI makes sure we have our hands on the pulse of what’s going on around the province with all the information in their NewsToGo. They are one strong consumer/survivor Provincial voice that supports us all and gives us opportunities to give feedback and to attend their conferences. OPDI always makes me feel heard. I don’t know what we would do without them."
Judy Hoover, Executive Director, Consumer/Survivor Initiative of Niagara
News to Go logo

Our free weekly electronic bulletin highlights current news and developments related to mental health and addictions knowledge, research and policy, and the social determinants of mental health, all from the perspective of people with lived experience. Anyone may subscribe.

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Our Annual Lighthouse Awards program currently has five categories: three for individuals and two for organizations.  Nominations open every June and are presented at our Conference and Annual General Meeting in autumn.

View the Awards

OPDI Peer Support Core Essentials Program is a basic skills training for people who have recovered their own mental health to the point of being ready to support others on their recovery journey.

View Training Program

This newsletter is emailed exclusively to the main person of contact at every OPDI member organization.  It applies a closer lens to current events and developments that could impact our member organizations and those they serve.

Membership Information