Canadian Mental Health Association - Vernon Branch

Provides social and recreational opportunities to individuals 18 years and over who are diagnosed with a mental illness, as well as encouraging community integration. Individuals are offered leadership training to empower them to facilitate a variety of social and recreational activities in a safe, friendly environment.

Provides 24-hour telephone help for anyone in crisis. A trained staff member or volunteer is available to listen, answer questions, and provide information and support in an anonymous and confidential manner.

Offers a variety of educational workshops and classes designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with mental health issues. Activity groups encourage peer interaction and socialization; the participants in each group are limited to 10 so that the needs of each participant may be addressed.

Staff trained in psychosocial rehabilitation facilitate courses and groups such as: anxiety management, boundaries workshop, relaxation training, and self-esteem.

Offers one-on-one and family group support for individuals and families affected by their loved one's mental illness. The program includes a grief support group for people grieving the loss of someone who died by suicide, and a support group for children who have a parent living with mental illness.

Offers access to a variety of affordable, safe and secure housing for people with mental illness and or low income. Subsidized housing is available for mental health and low income clients, as well as supported housing with 24-hour trained staff and nurses. Run in partnership with BC Housing and Interior Health Authority.

Offers an eight-week community-based course that provides youth practical skills for coping with stress, problem solving, reducing anxiety, and improving mood and well-being. Each week a topic is presented through booklets, worksheets, group activities and discussions.

Offers peer support to help adults with mental illness achieve a higher quality of life. Trained volunteers with lived experience of a mental illness, provide support and education, one-on-one social activities, friendship and empathy, hospital visitation, and advocacy.

Offers a telephone service to vulnerable individuals that are living alone or feeling isolated in the North Okanagan area. Each call is a non-intrusive, non-judgmental empathetic safety check. Representatives listen, provide support, and offer referrals when needed.

Offers mental illness recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families, to help prevent, maintain and improve overall health and well-being.

Programs include anger management, mindfulness, boundaries workshop, anxiety management, self-care for depression, women's group, Bounce Back, and Living Life to the Full.