Family & Youth Programs
Family Programs Offered
Siblings only group
starting March 11th, 2010
Strengthening Families Together group
starting March 30th, 2010
We are expanding our exciting partnership with the Toronto Catholic District School Board
Together with the TCDSB, we are encouraging early intervention by bringing awareness and education about mental illness into schools.
On November 27th, 2009, over 200 students attended the first ever Mental Health Symposium for students in Toronto. The day was an enormous success, and the response from the students was overwhelmingly positive.
The success of the symposium led to new schools being interested in participating in Stop the Stigma Week this year. In 2009, two schools participated and this coming May we expect a total of nine schools to participate. The students who took part in Stop the Stigma Week last year are taking a leadership role in training their peers from the new schools.
At the nine participating schools, we will offer workshops with speakers sharing their personal experiences; provide education and information for teachers, students and parents; raise awareness of mood disorders; and provide strategies for the school community to respond to teens and young adults as they face the challenges of living with a first mood disorder and a first episode psychosis.
Peer Support Groups
Family Members Only Group
3rd Monday of the month, 7:30-9:30 pm
Youth and Young Adults
4th Wednesday of the month, 7-9 pm
Call 416.486.0411 for support for family members Tuesdays from noon to 8 pm.
When someone you love has a mood disorder and/or psychosis, this program can help you explore the answers to such questions as:
- What can I reasonably expect from my family member?
- How do I handle my own concerns?
- How do I help my family members talk about their concerns?
- How can I reduce stress and cope?
If you are:
- FAMILY MEMBER of a youth age 14-35
- Living in Central/North Toronto
- Think your loved one may have a mood disorder and/or psychosis
- You need someone to talk to
Contact: Catherine Bancroft, MSW, RSW
416-486-8046 ext. 300
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario
36 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 602
Toronto, ON M4R 1A1
Maisha Grant
Family Peer Support Worker
416.486.8046 ext 247
maishag@mooddisorders.on.ca
MDAO is pleased to offer Tuesdays with Families, including our Family Number (416.486.0411) for support, information and referrals for family members of someone living with mood disorders and / or psychosis from noon to 8:00pm.
How to Claim Disability Tax Deductions on your 2009 Income Tax Return
Tuesday February 9th, 2010
Click here for information.
Step Stone House
Programs will be offered that help youth move forward. Moving forward to reach personal goals for recovery, supported by a caring community of family, peers, and professionals.
Step Stone House will be modeled after Laing House in Halifax. Laing House is the only one of its kind in Canada. Toronto needs a Laing House! For more information, please visit www.lainghouse.org.
Please support Step Stone House, by making an online donation and letting us know you want it to be directed to Step Stone House, or by mailing or faxing in our donation form. Your donation, no matter the amount, will go directly to the Step Stone House Fund and will enable us to move forward with our goal.
Click here to
read the personal story "I'm no expert, but I've been there."
Early detection of psychosis greatly increases the chance of successful recovery. For more information, visit www.torontoearlypsychosis.com or www.earlypsychosis.com.