CMHA College of Health & Well-Being
CMHA College of Health & Well-Being is a campus that promotes recovery, well-being, and knowledge. We offer free courses addressing topics related to mental health, physical health, building your best life, finding your voice, increasing skills and connecting to community.
All of our courses are informative and interactive. They are developed and delivered in partnership with our peer supporters who are experts by experience: they have their own story of a mental health, substance use concerns or are supporting a loved one.
We know that the best learning happens when personal stories and lived experience are shared.
Supported By:
What can you expect from our courses?
A welcoming, collaborative and inclusive environment.
We welcome students of all types, cultures, abilities and educational achievement. We aim for all our courses to be small groups of people coming to learn together and from each others-lived, life, professional and subject expertise. Check out our Service Agreement for an outline of roles and responsibilities for both the student and course facilitators.
Real knowledge and practical tools to support people to grow.
We draw upon a diverse range of knowledge sources, bringing topic experts together with experts by experience to develop and deliver our courses. We offer the opportunity for students to develop their own Personal Learning Plan based on their goals and aspirations.
We work within a framework called CHIME. This ensures that we bring principles of recovery to the learning environment and the effectiveness of what we do can be measured.
Accessible courses.
Our courses are free. We follow adult learning principles and try to develop content that takes into consideration different learning styles. Please let us know if you require any accommodations upon registration.
Progressive.
Actively support students to move on in their lives, to achieve their own identified goals and explore possibilities outside services. Whether you are coping with a mental health challenge or have difficulties taking time for yourself, this is a good way to start your journey. We invite you to attend an information session to learn more.
Who is this program intended for?
Everyone is welcome to attend our free courses. People with lived experience, family members, friends and individuals looking to strengthen their well-being.
Program Flyer
View and download the flyer for CMHA College of Health & Well-Being Fall 2024 courses using the button below.
How to Register
Call: 905-841-3977
Toll Free: 1-866-345-0183 EXT: 4248
Email: cmhacollege@cmha-yr.on.ca
Available Courses
In addition to the courses offered by CMHA College of Health & Well-being, we also provide social connection opportunities and recreation groups through Community Connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the courses offered?
Courses are offered in our Community Connections hubs at CMHA office locations, as well as in satellite locations in the community across York Region & South Simcoe. Courses are offered in person and online. During the COVID-19 pandemic courses are offered online only.
How long are the courses?
Most courses run between one to eight sessions on different days throughout the work week. Sessions are 1-2 hours long depending on the course.
How is the College different from mental health support groups and therapy groups?
Our courses take an educational rather than a therapeutic approach. They offer more structured learning experiences than a typical group program. They are designed with input from qualified and experienced educators and informed by the community. Each course has clear learning outcomes and activities to help you explore and build resiliency. The courses are all co-facilitated by a Peer Support Worker, individuals with personal or family experience with a mental health or substance use concerns. The educational content offered is meant as a useful tool to help you learn about and improve your own mental health in a self-directed way. Our staff will try to help you along the way, but our courses are not seen as a substitute for professional assistance and therapy when it is necessary
What is a Personal Learning Plan?
Students are invited to develop their own personal learning plan to help focus their learning experience and allow them to see the progress they have made. You will have an opportunity to create on your own or meet with a staff that can help you create one.
Is there a test at the end of the course?
All of our courses are about supporting people to build skills and knowledge, but there is no pass or fail and no tests. It’s about learning and growing, not passing a course.
Are the courses relevant for someone who wants to work in the mental health field?
CMHA College of Health & Well-Being is not an accredited college, so our courses are not intended to be applied towards college or university programs. It aims to assist participants on their journey to recovery and is more in line with mental health psychoeducation than career preparation.
