OPDI Blog

By OPDI

Anti-Asian racism has been on the rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and media outlets are reporting incidences of violence and discrimination similar to those that occurred during the 2003…

By OPDI

Today marks the second annual Black Mental Health Day in Ontario and another opportunity to emphasize that our system needs to do better when it comes to supporting the mental health of…

By OPDI

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk comes almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic – a time in which Canadians have faced unprecedented isolation, stress, and uncertainty that has taken a clear toll…

By OPDI

The holidays can be a challenging time in an ordinary year: increased family obligations, financial stress, gatherings centred around food and alcohol and at times heightened feelings of loneliness. But with COVID-19…

By OPDI

Last week, we came together as a community to celebrate Peer Support Week along with Lived Experience Recovery Network (LERN) and Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services (NMHHSS). The event drew…

By OPDI

As winter approaches and COVID-19 restrictions tighten yet again in Ontario, we know the risk of Canadians’ mental health declining is high. Cold temperatures mean less opportunities for outdoor socialization, the closing…

By OPDI

As winter approaches and COVID-19 restrictions tighten yet again in Ontario, we know the risk of Canadians’ mental health declining is high. Cold temperatures mean less opportunities for outdoor socialization, the closing…

By OPDI

After months of social distancing and isolation, last week’s Annual General Meeting (2019-2020) and 11th Annual OPDI Lighthouse Awards ceremony was truly a testament to the strength of our peer community.  Over…

By OPDI

Every year on October 10th, organizations across the globe observe the World Health Organization’s “World Mental Health Day”.  This year, that day comes during a time of enormous uncertainty and societal upheaval…

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Since moving to a remote workforce, Julia Read and her coworkers at CMHAWW Self Help and Peer Support Team have had ups and downs. They shared their tips for maintaining wellness while…

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A growing list of phone/online peer support resources Consumer-Survivor and Support Lines/Online Groups: Centre for Innovation in Peer Support: www.centreforinnovationinpeersupport.com The Center offers two large streams of virtual services & programming. One for…

By OPDI

Allan Strong, long-time peer support advocate and Peer Support Coordinator at Choices for Change, shares his thoughts on the importance of maintaining one’s sense of humour through COVID-19  It has been six months of captivity because of the pandemic….

By OPDI

COVID-19: Information, Resources, and Considerations for Peer Support by Calvin Prowse On March 17, the province of Ontario declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, a new virus that is…

By OPDI

Dear OPDI Community,  We wanted to do something a little different this week as our NewsToGo Team steps back to navigate a new environment and supporting our community through COVID-19 becomes an…

By OPDI

Conference Date: Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6  in Toronto Extended Proposal Deadline: May 15, 2020 We are excited to invite proposals in several formats for our two conference themes. All are welcome to submit a…

By OPDI

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day as declared by the United Nations is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for…

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We need more funding for peer support initiatives in Canada.

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…

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. …

By OPDI

Rachel Yard, Center for Health Care Strategies August 16, 2018     Coordinating Care for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders, a unique program in Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, uses peer navigators to engage…

By OPDI

  It can be said that peer support in Ontario is developing in new directions recognized in the mainstream. A major reason recognized by peers and professionals alike is that “human connection…

By OPDI

The other day, I participated in a webinar for a draft presentation of Quality Standards of Care for Schizophrenia in the Community. As an individual with lived experience, my viewpoint was decidedly…

By OPDI

Among consumer/survivor initiatives and peer support programs, the word “integration” is often not a pleasant one. Why? Integrations bring several structural changes that are often contrary to the values and beliefs of…