Peer Recovery Programs

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Recovery programs at the MDAO are pre-registered programs (i.e. people must call/email to register themselves for an upcoming program to participate) that are offered periodically and run for a finite length of time (i.e. have a beginning and end). They are more structured than the drop-in peer support groups and have a range of different modalities. Facilitators of these programs are peers who have undergone specialized training and/ or have substantial personal experience with the subject matter and content being delivered. Below is a list of recovery programs offered by the MDAO:

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)®

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a mental health recovery program that was developed by people who had been dealing with a variety of psychiatric symptoms and who were working hard to feel better and get on with their lives. WRAP is a non-clinical, non-diagnostic recovery program that explores key recovery concepts and tools that people can use to keep themselves well. The WRAP program at the MDAO occurs on a weekly basis over the course of eight weeks.

WRAP has been associated with:

  • Increases in positive attitudes and knowledge about recovery and self-advocacy
  • Significant improvements in symptoms including greater reductions in depression and anxiety scores
  • Preparedness and crisis planning, and a greater belief in the possibility of recovery
  • Hopefulness, higher personal confidence and goal orientation, and increased ability for self-management

Read more about WRAP

 

WRAP Level 2 Facilitator Training

Course Description:

This workshop is 5 days of workshops that prepares participants to facilitate WRAP® groups in their community and organization.  It is for people who have completed a Seminar 1 WRAP® course.  The Seminar II WRAP® Facilitators course provides an experiential learning environment based on mutuality and self-determination.

The training is appropriate for people with lived experience who would like to lead Health and Wellness Recovery ((WRAP®) groups, work with others to develop their own WRAP® and give presentations on related issues to groups and organizations.

 Read more about WRAP Facilitator Training 

 

Laughing Like Crazy

The backbone of the Laughing Like Crazy program is an intensive 16 week group that teaches participants how to develop a stand-up comedy routine based on their experiences of mental health issues and the mental health system. Each meeting combines mutual support and group building with learning how to write, hone, and deliver a stand-up routine. The culmination of the program is a public showcase performance where people perform stand-up comedy for the very first time. There are now over a hundred graduates of the intensive program who can be booked for public and private performances. These shows raise awareness, reduce stigma, and are an opportunity to create a meaningful dialogue about the impacts of mental health issues on individuals and communities.

Read more about Laughing Like Crazy

 

Other Recovery Programs

There are a number of other programs that have been offered at the MDAO over the years and new programs that will likely be offered in the future. We are constantly looking for innovative and creative ways to help people in their journey of recovery and to best serve the people who use our services. If there are particular types of groups you’d like to see offered or have ideas you’d like to share with us, please feel free to drop us a line and let us know at: info@mooddisorders.ca or give us a call at (416) 486-8046.

Upcoming Support Programs

No upcoming events.