Skip links

Top

Highlight Bar

  • Need Help? Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Services (Mobile Crisis 24 hrs) – 306-933-6200

CMHA Saskatoon Branch

CMHA Programs and Services

The majority of our resources are devoted to promoting the mental health of people whose mental health is at risk. CMHA Saskatoon Branch supports people with mental illness in their efforts to go to school, to work and to be an active member in the community. To provide this support, we offer several key programs and services.

CMHA Programming

CMHA programming is designed to provide opportunities for clients to engage in a variety of leisure activities as well as develop social relationships. Many new and lasting friendships have been formed over the years as a result of these programs.

Weekly activities are run by dedicated volunteers. As the volunteer pool expands, so will the variety of programs. We are always recruiting new people and welcome their talents to provide new activities for clients.

Both volunteers and clients receive the support they need or want and come with diversified backgrounds. Input from both ensures the continued success of leisure programs.

Please view our Calendar of Events page for more information on current programs being offered.

For more information on becoming a participant or volunteering, please call (306) 384-9333 or email info@cmhasaskatoon.ca.

 

Life Skills Program

The Life Skills course is a program which runs daily from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The program is 18 weeks long. The first 11 weeks are in the classroom, followed by seven weeks of activities in the community. These activities may include work assessments with a business, volunteer opportunities, education, or recreation programs. During these seven weeks ongoing support is provided by the Life Skills coach, or the vocational counselors at CMHA. One day per week, all participants return to the classroom to debrief the week’s activities.

Life Skills is an active learning program. Students participate and learn through a variety of class activities such as tours, lectures, films, group discussions, guest speakers, written exercises, role playing, physical fitness, and recreation.

Life Skills is a course which helps people to develop skills in coping with daily living situations. The course helps students to plan and work toward greater personal satisfaction and wellness.

The Life Skills Program includes:

Self

  • Recognizing and building personal strengths
  • Gaining self confidence
  • Solving problems
  • Setting achievable goals
  • Improving communication skills
  • Handling conflict effectively
  • Managing stress
  • Understanding emotions

Family & Relationships

  • Building relationships
  • Meeting people and making friends
  • Developing a good support system

Lifestyles

  • Planning use of leisure time
  • Building better health and nutrition
  • Developing a hobby or interests
  • Learning to budget your money

Community

  • Learning about community resourses
  • Seeking professional help
  • Understanding your rights and responsibilities

Job/Education

  • Choosing the right career
  • Exploring further education
  • Finding and keeping a job
  • Testing job skills
  • Dealing with employers and fellow employees

To print: Life Skills Brochure

Registration

The intake criteria are as follows:

  • Be an adult with a diagnosis of mental illness
  • If a client has a history of alcohol/substance abuse, they must be actively involved in a rehabilitation program
  • Should have a mental health support (CMHN, therapist, etc.)
  • Must be referred by a mental health agency

To register, please download the Referral Form or fill out and submit the form below.

Referral Form

upon submission, this form is sent to a confidential mailbox

  • PART I: CLIENT INFORMATION

  • Name * Required
  • Address * Required
  • Sex * Required
  • Marital Status
  • Please enter highest level of education

  • PART II: THE REFERRING AGENCY

  • Name * Required
    Name of referring person
  • Agency Address * Required
  • Involvement of Other Agencies (please check all that apply

  • PART III: BACKGROUND AND REASON FOR REFERRAL

  • Which CMHA program do you think would benefit this client? * Required

  • PART IV: ATTACHMENTS

    Please attach previous assessments, psycho-social histories or assessments, vocational assessments, medical/psychiatric assessments, resumes, etc.
Save and Continue Later
Download Life Skills BrochureL.S.-brochure

Mental Health First Aid for Adults who Interact with Youth Course

home_banner

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course was developed to help people provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

MHFA Canada teaches mental health first aid skills. The course does not train people to be therapists, counselors or mental health professionals. The philosophy behind MHFA Canada is that mental health crisis, such as suicidal and self-harming actions, may be avoided through early intervention. If crisis do arise, then members of the public can take action that may reduce the harm that could result.

MHFA Canada: For Adults Who Interact with Youth focuses on mental health problems and first aid for youth ages 12 to 24. Mental health problems often first develop during adolescence or early adulthood, with half of all mental disorders beginning by age 14, and 75 percent beginning by age 24.

Most mental disorders develop gradually. The early signs and symptoms of developing mental health problems will be different from the more established clinical profiles which are reflected later in life. The social, educational and family environments in which mental disorders occur in young people are also different from those later in life. Therefore, the information in this course is designed to be sensitive to the unique aspects of mental health problems in young people. It is meant to assist education professionals, health providers, parents and other adults in the identification of mental health problems and appropriate first aid intervention strategies.

The following mental health problems are covered:

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Deliberate self-injury

The following mental health crisis situations are covered:

  • Suicidal behaviour
  • Overdoses
  • Panic attacks
  • Reactions to traumatic events
  • Psychotic episodes

COURSE OUTLINE

Session 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness

  • What is Mental Health First Aid?
  • Why Mental Health First Aid?
  • Common mental health problems
  • The five basic actions of mental health first aid
  • Treatment and resources

Session 2: Substance Related Disorders

  • What is a substance-related disorder?
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Types of substance-related disorders
  • Substance use by youth
  • Types of substances
  • Mental Health First Aid for substance-related disorders
  • Crisis first aid for overdose
  • Treatment and resources

Session 3: Mood Disorders

  • What is a mood disorder?
  • Types of mood disorders
  • Signs and symptoms of mood disorders
  • Risk factors for mood disorders
  • Mood disorders and substance use
  • Suicide in Canada
  • Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour
  • Mental health first aid for depression
  • Treatment and resources

Session 4: Deliberate Self-Injury

  • What is deliberate self-injury?
  • Reasons for deliberate self-injury
  • Risk factors for deliberate self-injury
  • Mental Health First Aid for deliberate self-injury
  • Treatment and resources

Session 5: Anxiety Disorders

  • What are anxiety disorders?
  • Symptoms of anxiety disorders
  • Types of anxiety disorders
  • Risk factors for anxiety disorders
  • Anxiety disorders and substance use
  • Crisis first aid for panic attacks
  • Crisis first aid for acute stress reaction
  • Mental health first aid for anxiety disorders
  • Treatment and resources

Session 6: Eating Disorders

  • What is an eating disorder?
  • Types of eating disorders
  • Risk factors for eating disorders
  • Mental Health First Aid for eating disorders
  • Treatment and resources

Session 7: Psychotic Disorders

  • What are psychotic disorders?
  • Symptoms of psychotic disorders
  • Types of psychotic disorders
  • Risk factors for psychosis
  • Psychosis and substance use
  • Crisis first aid for acute psychosis
  • Mental health first aid for psychosis
  • Treatment and resources

 

For information about workshop fees and dates contact:
Brenda Beaudry, MHFA Instructor

Canadian Mental Health Association – Saskatoon Branch Inc.
Phone: 306 384-9333
Fax: 306 978-5777
Email: bbeaudry@cmhasaskatoon.ca

For information about Mental Health First Aid Canada please visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca

For a list of upcoming courses in the Saskatoon area please click here 

Mental Health Commission of Canada

MHFA is a program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Mental Health First Aid Training

home_banner

“When First Aid came into existence, the concept of teaching the average citizen to apply pressure to a wound saved people’s lives. Mental Health First Aid will do something similar, by assisting people in making the right kind of decisions.” — Mental Health First Aid Canada Participant

Mental Health First Aid is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, Mental Health First Aid is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

The program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

In the 12 hour course, Mental Health First Aid Canada teaches people how to:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
  • Provide comfort to someone with a mental health problem
  • Provide initial help and reassurance
  • Guide a person towards appropriate professional help

Mental Health First Aid shares the same overall purpose as traditional first aid – to save lives. It aims to:

  • Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others.
  • Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state.
  • Promote the recovery of good mental health and reduce stigma.

Mental Health First Aid Basic:

September 13 & September 14, 8:30am-4:00pm, St. Paul’s Hospital 

November 1 & November 2, 8:30am-4:00pm, St. Paul’s Hospital

Mental Health First Aid for Adults Interacting with Youth:

November 3 & 17, 8:30am-4:00pm, Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon Branch Inc.

  • Registration form for November course:

For further information contact:
Brenda Beaudry or Jenna Neufeld, MHFA Instructors

Canadian Mental Health Association – Saskatoon Branch Inc.
Phone: 306 384-9333
Fax: 306 978-5777
Email: bbeaudry@cmhasaskatoon.ca or jneufeld@cmhasaskatoon.ca

For information about Mental Health First Aid Canada please visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca

Mental Health Commission of Canada

MHFA is a program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Public Awareness

CMHA Saskatoon offers a variety of presentations that can be tailored to your individual or group needs.

Currently Offered Presentations:

Mental Health 101 (1 – 2 hours)

  • Mental Health & Mental Illness defined and prevalence, stigma, general information on anxiety, depression, substance use disorder and psychotic disorders, treatment and getting support.

Supporting a Loved One (Caregivers) (1 hour)

  • Stigma, providing support, roles, boundaries and limitations, self-care, community resources

Mental Health in the Workplace (1-3 hours)

  • Mental Health & Mental Illness defined, prevalence in the workplace, common mental health concerns, stigma, impact, rights & responsibilities, what a healthy work environment looks like and options for employees and employers

Workplace Wellness (1-2 hours)

  • Mental Health & Mental Illness defined, prevalence in the workplace, common mental health concerns, stigma, risk factors and warning signs, how to promote a healthy work environment, getting help, providing support and self-care.

Stress in the Workplace (1-3 hours)

  • Workplace stress, warning signs, pressure vs. stress, impact, how to manage stress in the workplace, role of employee and employer, options for management and supervisors, promoting a healthy work environment

Youth Mental Health (1-2 hours)

  • General information on prevalence, common mental health concerns, suicide, challenges and approaches, options and resources for individuals working with youth

*If you would like a presentation done that is not included on this list, feel free to contact us to see if it is something that we could offer.

For more information, or to schedule a presentation, call Chalaine Senger at (306) 384-9333 ext.223 or email csenger@cmhasaskatoon.ca

 

 

Vocational Counselling

The Vocational Counsellors at CMHA Saskatoon Branch Inc. assist people with mental health disorders to obtain and maintain meaningful employment, volunteer work or to complete education that will improve employment potential. Additionally, Vocational Counsellors assist clients to improve and maintain their mental health.

In order to work with a Vocational Counsellor, an individual can have a mental health professional or family doctor complete the referral form below or download and fax this Referral Form.  An individual can also self-refer.

A Vocational Counsellor at CMHA will…

Assist individual clients in developing and carrying out a vocational plan

  • Resume development and cover letters
  • Determining what type of employment and work environment is desired
  • Assistance with interviews and applications
  • Referral to our Job Developer
  • Assistance accessing further education that will assist in career development
  • Regular monitoring and support to carry out the vocational plan

Assist clients in developing strategies to maintain mental health at work and in personal life

  • Determining accommodation needs
  • Assistance with skills such as time management, budgeting, accessing services
  • Monitoring mental health
  • Ongoing support
  • Assistance with developing professional and personal supports

Advocacy and Public Awareness

  • Work with communities, agencies and individuals to coordinate services and meet changing needs of clients
  • Education and support of employers and others involved with the client

Referral Form

upon submission, this form is sent to a confidential mailbox

  • PART I: CLIENT INFORMATION

  • Name * Required
  • Address * Required
  • Sex * Required
  • Marital Status
  • Please enter highest level of education

  • PART II: THE REFERRING AGENCY

  • Name * Required
    Name of referring person
  • Agency Address * Required
  • Involvement of Other Agencies (please check all that apply

  • PART III: BACKGROUND AND REASON FOR REFERRAL

  • Which CMHA program do you think would benefit this client? * Required

  • PART IV: ATTACHMENTS

    Please attach previous assessments, psycho-social histories or assessments, vocational assessments, medical/psychiatric assessments, resumes, etc.
Save and Continue Later