Resources

 Find Mental Health Support Website

Learn about the support available and how to get help when you need it through the Ontario Government’s Mental Health Support website.

This website is divided into the following sections:

Get help. Talk to someone.

Shares information and links to services such as:

• ConnexOntario Helpline

• BounceBack

• Healing after violence

• Distress and crisis services

• Supports for Newcomers to Ontario

Indigenous communities

Shares information and links to services such as:

• Hope for Wellness Helpline

• Aboriginal Health Access Centres

• CAMH Aboriginal Service

• Talk 4 Healing

• Indigenous Children and Youth Services

Children and youth

Shares information and links to services such as:

• Kids Help Phone

• Youth Wellness Hubs

• Signs and symptoms

• Good2Talk

• Mental health resources in schools

Resources at work

Shares information and links to services such as:

• Workplace mental health

• Farmers

• Mental health resources for first responders and public safety personnel

• Healthcare workers and COVID-19

Breaking Free

Breaking Free is a free online support tool designed to help reduce or stop the use of over 70 substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, including opioids.

 The Link Between Literacy and Poverty: Can Education Help to Eliminate Poverty?

This blog post highlights the direct link between poverty and literacy. It notes that poverty is strongly linked to a reduced ability to develop skills and engage in learning opportunities. This results in barriers to employment and income.

This blog post covers the following topics:

Barriers to accessing literacy programs

The impact of low literacy on marginalized communities

·       The benefits of strong literacy skills

·       Education can end poverty

·       Tips for programs to increase the chances of success

 Prosper Canada Website

Prosper Canada is a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty through program and policy innovation. Prosper Canada’s website contains a wide variety of information and resources related to poverty reduction and increasing financial security.

Helpful information on the Prosper Canada website includes information on:

• support for tax filing
• steps to accessing benefits
• financial literacy and coaching
• savings and asset building
• consumer protection
• online tools, resources, and webinars

 Indigenous Peoples in Toronto: An Introduction for Newcomers

This resource was created to introduce newcomers to Indigenous peoples in Toronto.

This learning resource covers the following topics:

• Indigenous Peoples of the Toronto Region
• Indigenous History in Toronto
• Contemporary Indigenous Lives
• Cultural Awareness
• Building Relationships
• Additional Resources

 Multicultural Mental Health Resource Centre

The Multicultural Mental Health Resource Centre seeks to improve the quality and availability of mental health services for people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This includes immigrants, refugees, and members of diverse ethnocultural communities. The Centre seeks to promote greater equity in mental health care.

For families and individuals, this website shares:

• multilingual information on mental health problems and treatments
• multilingual information about how to find culturally appropriate mental health services
• resources and ways to help family members maintain their well-being

For healthcare providers, organizations, and policymakers this website shares:

•  information on cultural assessment tools and methods
• information about programs for people living with mental health problems
• resources on advocacy and stigma reduction
• information on health disparities
• recommendations to improve cultural competencies
• models of mental health services to address diversity

 Working with Learners Living in Poverty – Webinar Series

QUILL Learning Network and the Pop Up PD for Literacy Educators Committee developed a series of three webinars on supporting adult learners who live in poverty. Webinar recordings are available along with the slides and transcriptions for each webinar.

WEBINAR #1 – Literacy and Essential Skills as a Poverty Reduction Strategy

In Webinar 1, Angela Briscoe from Frontier College (now called United for Literacy), discussed research around literacy and poverty reduction. The webinar shared the report’s key findings along with 11 strategic recommendations.

WEBINAR #2 – Better Research for Better Practice: Understanding the characteristics, experiences, and trajectories of Ontario Works clients in Toronto

In Webinar 2, staff from Toronto Employment and Social Services shared the results of a research study of singles on Ontario Works in Toronto. Research findings were presented along with advice on how to connect the research results to frontline service planning and program design.

WEBINAR #3 – Skills Upgrading Programs Supporting People Living in Poverty

In Webinar 3, four presenters discussed how Literacy and Basic Skills programs assist people who are living in poverty to develop their skills, achieve their goals, and receive support to move on to further education or employment.

 Women in the Trades

The “Women in the Trades” website seeks to break down stereotypes about women working in the skilled trades. This website also shares valuable information to encourage women to consider the skilled trades as a career.

Topics include:

• Why consider a career in the skilled trades?
• Pathways to apprenticeship
• Apprentice mentoring and support
• Financial support for female apprentices
• Ready to be an apprentice?

 Find Mental Health Support Website

Learn about the support available and how to get help when you need it through the Ontario Government’s Mental Health Support website.

This website is divided into the following sections. Each section shares links to mental health resources and support services targeted to that specific group.

• Get Help. Talk to Someone.
• Children and Youth
• Breaking Free from Addiction
• Indigenous Communities
• Resources at Work