The following agencies provide support and education to families and friends of individuals living with mental illnesses.
The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO)
The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario offers free support and recovery programs to people across Ontario living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. MDAO provide drop-in peer support groups, recovery programs, family and youth clinical support, early intervention for mood disorders and psychosis and online tools focused on wellness and recovery.
http://www.mooddisorders.ca
Schizophrenia Society Of Ontario (SSO)
The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario raises awareness and support for schizophrenia and psychotic illnesses. A diagnosis reaches beyond the individual. It also impacts friends and family who provide a crucial support network. SSO provides individual consultation to families and friends, family education and system navigation.
http://www.schizophrenia.on.ca
Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere (FAME)
FAME’s services are based on a self-help model which respects and supports the expertise that families have regarding their mentally ill relative and their experience in the system.
http://www.fameforfamilies.com
Family Outreach & Response Program (FOR)
FOR offers recovery oriented mental health support services to families and youth. FOR promotes an inclusive, equitable and non-discriminatory approach to mental wellness.
http://familymentalhealthrecovery.org
Below are FREE handbooks and guidelines published by various mental health agencies for families and friends supporting someone with mental illnesses.
Supporting a family member or friend living with mental illness, CMHA Winnipeg http://winnipeg.cmha.ca/files/2014/05/Supportingafamilymemberorfriend.pdf
Being There When Mental Illness Strikes Someone Near You A guide for a friend, family member, or co-worker http://www.beingthereguide.com/beingthereguide.pdf
Living with Mental Illness: A Guide for Family and Friends, Community Mental Health, Capital District Mental Health Program within Capital Health http://ourhealthyminds.com/family-handbook/Family_Handbook.pdf
Right by You: Opening the Door for Better Mental Health for Your Youth, Partners For Mental Health
http://rightbyyou.ca/uploads/docs/Right_By_You_Guide.pdf
Learning about Schizophrenia, Rays of Hope, 4th edition : A reference manual for families and caregivers, Schizophrenia Society of Canada
http://www.schizophrenia.ca/docs/Rays_of_Hope_4th_edition.pdf
A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorder, CamH
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/concurrent_disorders/Documents/partnering_families_famguide.pdf
Family Physician Guide for Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Early Psychosis and Substance Use Disorders, British Columbia Ministry of Health
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2008/fpg_full.pdf
A Family Guide to Dual Diagnosis, CamH
http://knowledgex.camh.net/amhspecialists/specialized_treatment/dual_diagnosis/Documents/Dual_Diagnosis_Family_Guide.pdf
All of these links and resources are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval from our Working Group regarding any of the services or opinions of the organization or resource listed.