Support CMHA Ottawa’s Recovery College on GivingTuesday

Nov 24, 2023

Join CMHA Ottawa on November 28 as we participate in GivingTuesday. This global day marks the beginning of the giving season, where charities, companies and individuals can all make a positive impact.

There is no “right” way to participate as long as it supports generosity and giving. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer your time, help a neighbour in need, or simply spread the word, every action counts.

As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to remember that for those facing mental health or addiction challenges, it can be an overwhelming time. You can make a difference! Help CMHA Ottawa support our clients by participating in GivingTuesday.

This year, CMHA Ottawa needs your help with our Recovery College.

Recovery Colleges are a new way to present mental health and wellness information, honouring both lived and learned expertise. Based on the idea that those who use services are in the best position to help design them, courses and the college itself are collaborative work between service users and those who provide services. Recovery Colleges are more than a learning centre, they help develop community for students, and in partnering with other services, connect organizations.

At CMHA Ottawa, we launched our own Recovery College program in January 2021 after successfully applying for funding from CMHA National, who have lead development opportunities across Canada for local CMHA branches to create their own, unique colleges.

CMHA Ottawa does not get ongoing funding for Recovery College. We’re appealing to donors like you to help us continue to offer our clients these collaborative, empowering classes that help put them on a path to wellness – equipping students with the necessary tools we all need to thrive.

In 2022-2023, Recovery College at CMHA Ottawa offered more than 40 learning opportunities to students (our clients) free of charge on topics such as Challenging Isolation and Loneliness, Connecting with Nature, Coping with Triggers, Developing Self-Compassion and a new series, Empowered in Your Home. We partnered with two other community organizations and are working on more. Over 80 students have attended courses, where people forge new relationships while learning to take a new and empowered role in recovery and wellness. Several students have been mentored to become facilitators, some of whom have moved on to peer support work in the Ottawa community. We look forward to more growth, more success, more students and more sharing of the unique wisdom of the amazing people served by CMHA Ottawa.

“The skills and wisdom I have gained from Recovery College are immeasurable. I have overcome challenges such as loneliness and isolation, gained a better understanding of recovery, found peace with anger, established healthy boundaries, explored self-esteem, connected with myself through journaling, developed hope and optimism, and so much more. Each class I attend is like a gift, and I am so grateful for the opportunities they provide.“

—Emily, participant

Donate to CMHA Ottawa’s Recovery College today on our CanadaHelps page.

For more information about GivingTuesday, visit https://givingtuesday.ca/