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The Foundation's new donor
wall was unveiled in March 2001. |
We at the Foundation are very proud to support the work of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The Centre served over 17,525 clients in 1999/2000, and 21,601 in 2000/2001. Based in Toronto, the Centre offers 13 clinical programs in the area of mental illness and addictions, many of which extend to other Toronto hospitals and clinics -- and a fly-in programme serving isolated parts of the province. The Centre serves many diverse populations and cultures, and supports Ontario communities through its 12 community offices. Here we present just a few of the numerous projects and programs underway. For more information, call Public Affairs at 416 979-4250 and ask for a copy of the Centre's Annual Report (available online).
Prevention
The Aboriginal Service was established in response to the unique addiction and mental health issues facing the Aboriginal community, the only mainstream program of its kind in Ontario. Its mandate is to develop culturally appropriate mental health and addiction services in partnership with native communities, using a holistic approach based on native values, beliefs and traditions.
The Dinosaur Social Skills Program is a 22 week program currently being implemented that will be offered to children ages 4 to 8 who are experiencing aggression. The program is designed to strengthen children's social skills and emotional competencies such as communicating feelings, managing anger, practicing friendship and problem solving skills.
There is Help...There is Hope is a multi-year public awareness
campaign that aims to remove the barriers impeding people from seeking treatment
for addiction and mental health problems by increasing public understanding of these
conditions, their treatments and the people affected by them. The first phase of
the campaign, launched in the fall, focussed on depression and has received international
honours.
Toronto's Drug Treatment Court (DTC), the first of its kind in Canada celebrated its second anniversary. DTC, an alternative to incarceration, aims to reduce addiction and high criminal recidivism rates for its clients. The Centre, in partnership with community agencies, delivers the treatment and clients "graduate" when they're drug-free, and have achieved stability in other areas of their lives, such as housing and employment.
Understanding
Epigenetics is a new branch of molecular biology that investigates the factors that orchestrate activities of the genome. Research in this area will significantly contribute to the understanding of the molecular basis of mental illness and addictions and lead to the development of new diagnostic approaches and individualized treatments. Epigenetics may become the "master key" to numerous "locks" of major psychosis and other psychiatric disorders.
The Seniors Workgroup of the Community Health Network of West Toronto, consisting of 18 community agencies, identified that training specifically directed to working with seniors with problems associated with mental health or substance use was a high priority for staff. In partnership with the Centre, a workshop led by CAMH community and clinical staff was developed to provide information on healthy aging and demystifying seniors' mental health and addiction issues.
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Left to right: Rina Chouhan and Alicia Burke, UK Peer Counsellors; Dr. Paul Garfinkel, the Centre's President and CEO; Ashok Chouhan and Tanya Burke, UK Peer Counsellors, (right in front) Hassan Abukar, SAPPACY volunteer and former client |
The Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) formed a partnership with the Black Substance abuse program in the UK which led to the establishment of the Black and Asian Youth Against Drugs (BAAYAD) initiative. Representatives from the UK visited SAPACCY last summer to learn more about their success working with African Canadian and Caribbean youth using an African-Centred approach to advocate, educate, prevent and treat addictions.
The Workman Theatre Project continues to combat the stigma of mental illness and addiction by celebrating the achievements of artists who have triumphed over their illnesses. It is a 170-member company that integrates the Toronto Arts Community with people who receive mental health and addiction services. Recent highlights include JOY -- A Musical About Depression and the 8th Annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival.
Care
The Schizophrenia and Continuing Care Program is developing an Integrated Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) that will provide a recovery focused model of care for clients who are currently unable to live in the community. The mission of the IRU is to promote partnerships -- engaging residents, their family, staff and community in the recovery process and assisting clients regain the skills required to live successfully in the community.
The Centre has been instrumental in developing a new Telepsychiatry service, which gives rural communities -- patients, their families and mental health professionals -- access to leading edge psychiatric knowledge. Televideo technology is an innovative and cost effective way to provide quality psychiatric assessments to the many underserviced areas of Ontario.
The Substance Abuse Day Treatment/School Program for Youth recently completed another successful year. "High High" as it is better known by its participants is an alternative school that combines academics and treatment for youth up to the age of 21 struggling with substance use, often accompanied by mental health problems. The program is staffed jointly by CAMH and the Toronto District School Board.
A Second-Stage Trauma Program is being initiated within the Society,
Women and Health program. This new initiative moves beyond first-stage work
into trauma processing. For many women first-stage trauma work is insufficient to
promote fuller recovery and without further treatment they remain vulnerable to crisis
and may require readmission to hospital. Presently there are very few resources within
the hospital system or community providing this high level of care.
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This page was last modified on August 20, 2003.
(416) 979-6909 
