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Recovery Colleges
Learning and well-being come together at new learning centres
Mental health. It wasn’t a class at school. So where can adults in Canada go to learn about mental health and well-being? The answer is “recovery colleges.”
So, what exactly is a Recovery College?
Recovery Colleges, based on a successful community mental health model from the UK, are focused on personal recovery in mental health and well-being. Recovery Colleges provide an innovative learning space where anyone can access free courses, webinars, workshops, and events to learn, gain new skills, and connect with others in their community.
In Canada, today, recovery colleges offer a new twist on the UK model. Here, these welcoming in-person and virtual learning centres are called by many different names. But whether they are called Recovery College, HOPE Learning Centre, Well-being Centre or Discovery College, they are all about establishing social connection, hope and optimism, identity, meaning, and empowerment through education.
They are modeled after a traditional college, with its large course offerings and vibrant learning environment. But there are no tests at a recovery college, admission is free and everyone is welcome.
What also sets them apart from traditional educational institutions are the subjects offered. Instead of language literacy, for instance, you might take a course in mental health literacy, or in health and well-being. Courses range from topics including ‘Understanding Anxiety’ to ‘Self-Help 101’ as well as cooking classes, walking groups, and mindfulness practices. Even the course curriculum is unique: it is developed by subject experts and mental health professionals, working together with people who have their own experience in personal recovery.
Is Recovery College right for you?
These centres are designed to be supportive learning environments, where you are welcome, whatever your mental health goals. You may have a mental illness, or a mental health problem, including a substance use issue, and you may be on a personal recovery journey. Or maybe you support someone who is. You may be looking for skills to enhance your self-care or your overall sense of well-being. Or maybe you need to develop a little confidence in facing life’s challenges. Whatever your reason, you might just find the right course for you. And you will find an empowering learning environment where the people are genuine, and the knowledge is practical.
Find a centre near you:
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Alberta
Calgary
CMHA Calgary: Recovery College Calgary
Camrose
CMHA East Central: Recovery College CamroseEdmonton
CMHA Edmonton Region: Recovery College EdmontonFort McMurray
CMHA Northeast (Wood Buffalo): Recovery College Wood BuffaloGrande Prairie
CMHA Northwest (Grande Prairie): Recovery College Grand PrairieLethbridge
CMHA Lethbridge: Recovery College LethbridgeRed Deer
CMHA Red Deer: Recovery College Central Alberta -
British Columbia
Kelowna
CMHA Kelowna: Discovery College KelownaPrince George
CMHA Northern BC: Connections Wellness Centre Recovery CollegeSalmon Arm
CMHA Shuswap Revelstoke: CMHA Learning StudiosVancouver
CMHA North and West Vancouver: Recovery College YVRVernon
CMHA Vernon & District: Pathways to Wellness -
Manitoba
Across Manitoba
CMHA Central: HOPE Learning Centre
CMHA Interlake Eastern: Well-Being Learning Centre
CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg: Well-Being Learning Centre
CMHA Swan Valley – Parkland – Regional Head Office: HOPE Learning Centre
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Nova Scotia
Dartmouth
CMHA Nova Scotia Division: THRIVE Learning Centre -
Ontario
Brampton
CMHA Peel Dufferin: Recovery West Recovery CollegeDurham
CMHA Durham: Recovery College Wellness CentreHaliburton/Kawartha/Pine Ridge
CMHA HKPR: H.O.P.E. Learning CentreLondon
CMHA Thames Valley: THRIVE InstituteOwen Sound
CMHA Grey Bruce: Grey Bruce Recovery CollegeToronto
CMHA Toronto: Recovery CollegeWaterloo
CMHA Waterloo Wellington: My Path Peer & Community EducationWindsor
CMHA Windsor-Essex County: Wellness & Recovery CollegeYork Region
CMHA York Region and South Simcoe: College of Health and Well-Being -
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown
CMHA P.E.I.: Learning, Training and Support Hub -
Saskatchewan
Regina
CMHA Saskatchewan: H.O.P.E. Learning Centre
Ontario Shores and CMHA are also working with interested parties to explore, mentor and support the planning of potential new centres across the Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Contact information
For more information about CMHA’s recovery colleges, or to learn more about working with CMHA and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) to open your own local learning centre, please contact us at [email protected].