The Diabetes and Mental Health Peer Support Project has launched a new website and is currently offering a series of one-day diabetes and mental health training workshops. Diabetes and Mental Health Peer Support is a two-year project (2010-2012) to provide diabetes competency training for mental health peer supporters in Ontario. The project is a collaboration between Ontario Peer Development Initiative (OPDI), CMHA Ontario, the Provincial Consumer/Survivor Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Leads Network and Christine Grace and Community, with funding provided by the Lawson Health Research Institute.
The diabetes training module is currently being pilot tested by peer support trainers affiliated with OPDI member Consumer/Survivor Initiatives (CSIs) within regions across Ontario. The module will be evaluated during this phase of the project, and will be revised and distributed provincially as a stand-alone module for training mental health peer support workers delivering peer support in any setting. First preference in the training sessions will be given to individuals who have completed the OPDI Peer Support Core Essentials program, although if there are additional spaces available, the pilot training may be offered to those with other types of peer support training or experience.
The pilot training sessions will take place in March and April in North Bay, Toronto, Penetang, Oshawa, Brantford, London, Smith Falls and Thunder Bay. There is no cost to participate in the sessions, but preregistration is required. The deadline for registration for the North Bay session is March 11, and March 14 for all other locations.
To register for the regional training sessions, visit www.diabetesandmentalhealth.ca/training. For more information, e-mail opdi@opdi.org.
For more information about the project, visit www.diabetesandmentalhealth.ca.