The purpose and mission of Community Development and Education Services is to promote the mental wellness of all members of our community and to provide opportunities to learn more about mental health issues. Through public education we hope to:
- Increase in community acceptance and understanding of mental health issues while promoting the mental health of all people
- Assist people to increase their mental wellness and learn how to cope with life stresses
- Motivate changes in attitude and behaviors in a direction that promotes healthy communities and helps to dispel the misconceptions surrounding mental health
- Reduce stigma associated with mental health issues.
In order to realize our goals, we offer our communities:
- Workshops and Seminars
- Individualized Presentations
- Information Displays
- Annual recognition of National Mental Health Week
- Certified Training in Suicide Intervention
- Resources for Youth and Adults
- Newsletters and Articles
- Family Education and Information
- Community Education Events
Through our specialized training workshops we assist our community members to gain the knowledge and skills to to become welcoming and supportive of individuals who experience mental health concerns. We offer training in:
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) - This intensive, two-day workshop helps people to recognize risk and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. This workshop is designed for anyone in positions of trust, including service providers, teachers, youth workers, emergency workers, counsellors, faith leaders, community volunteers, family and friends. "Read More"
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills TuneUp (ASIST Tuneup) - This half-day workshop is designed for those who have previously taken the current ASIST (version 10) workshop to review and refresh their skills. "Read More"
- SafeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone) - This half-day workshop helps participants identify persons with thoughts of suicide and link them to suicide first-aid resources.Read More"
- Trauma-Informed Support Skills - This one-day basic training will provide a framework for working with survivors of trauma (including sexual abuse), who also experience mental health issues as a result of the trauma. Participants will find it useful in understanding the impact of trauma and assisting individuals to improve their quality of life. "Read More"
- Helping Skills - This three-day interactive workshop series is open to anyone who would like to enhance their understanding of the helping process and their ability to respond. "Read More"
- Family Education Series -These series (offered in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Orangeville) offer knowledge, sharing opportunities, and connection to resources for family members and friends who care about someone experiencing a mental health issue. K-W 2009 - Cambridge 2009
For more detailed information about the workshops including dates, times, locations, fees, and registration Click Here