The Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent

About

Offering hope through education, support, social rehabilitation, networking, and advocacy to all people whose lives are affected by mental illness.

Story

Daily leisure, Social, Recreational, & Self Help Programs

Leisure and recreational opportunities and resources are offered daily at the Mental Health Network to help improve physical and mental health. MHNCK offers a variety of Leisure and Recreational opportunities individually and in group settings in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Leisure and Recreation provides a variety of benefits that include:stress management, enhanced self esteem, positive lifestyle development, personal satisfaction, improved quality of life and preventive health. Learn how to develop and use Leisure and Recreation in ways that enhance your health, independence and quality of life.

Most importantly Leisure and Recreation provides the opportunity to have FUN!

Peer Support

Peer support is a coping tool that is based on sharing a mutually supportive relationship with someone who understands what you are going through and how you are feeling.

At the Mental Health Network we offer peer support opportunities in the formal sense (sharing on a one to one basis) and in an informal sense with the opportunity to socialize with people who share similar experiences and live with a mental illness.

Peer support can help you to feel better when you are having a hard time and help you to learn more about yourself. It fosters the development of closer friendships with others as you share experiences, have fun, receive support, and support others.

Advocacy

Mental Health Network provides advocacy to individuals who live with a mental illness and their families. We support people in accessing services within their community.

We advocate at the systems level, ensuring that all persons who are affected by mental illness have a voice within our municipality and across the province.

Education

Providing an understanding of one’s diagnosis and mental illness in general is an essential component of recovery.

Exploring such topics as self-esteem, anger management, assertive communication, stress and anxiety, depression, goal setting, stigma, relapse prevention and planning, and resource awareness.

Also providing learning opportunities on issues concerning overall health and general knowledge topics such as diabetes education, weight loss and fitness, basic computer use, etc.

Family Support

The Mental Health Network offers support to all family members who have a loved one that lives with a mental illness. We provide one to one support, education and advocacy. Our goal is to network families to each other and services that may assist them or their family member.

Mission

"Supporting those whose lives are affected by mental illness through their journey of hope and recovery"