CMHA Ontario Director of Knowledge Transfer Scott Mitchell espoused the virtues of Enabling Minds while speaking during a sport inclusion webinar on March 15. Mitchell shared how Enabling Minds – a 45-minute, self-directed, online training module – teaches participants how to recognize and remove barriers to physical activity programs for people with mental health disabilities. It also explains how to create a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes positive mental health for everyone.
The e-learning module is aimed primarily at frontline staff and volunteers to improve customer service, but an in-depth Manager’s Guide is also provided. Both are available, free of charge, on the enablingminds.ca website.
During the webinar, Impact of Inclusion: Perspectives on Accessibility in Sport, Mitchell explained how both individuals and organizations can benefit from Enabling Minds.
“There’s a policy review checklist, links to related resources, as well as testimonials from people with lived experience of mental health issues who share their perspectives on the value of physical activity and some of the barriers they confront when trying to access programs,” he said.
The event was organized by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL). Co-panellists included ADO Director Alfred Spencer, CPC CEO Karen O’Neill, Canadian marathon swimmer and disability advocate Vicki Keith, and Chris Sergeant-Tsonos, a competitive para-athlete who qualified for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games.
Enabling Minds was created in collaboration with Parks and Recreation Ontario and YMCA Ontario and launched last December.