People Acquiring Intimate Relationships (PAIR)

Relationships, a natural component of people's lives, play a key role in the recovery of people with a mental illness. They are a form of social support and a key determinant of health. However, many people who have a mental illness have missed crucial opportunities to develop significant personal relationships.

People with a mental illness are provided with the support they need in other aspects of their lives such as housing, work and in obtaining and maintaining income entitlements. However, individuals are often left on their own to deal with intimate relationships, an area which is complex and difficult for almost everyone!

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with the Community Support and Research Unit (CSRU) and the Schizophrenia Program at CAMH, are working to implement a one year pilot project. Carefully selected clients who are interested will be supported to develop individualized plans, access resources, and attain new skills related to personal relationships. In addition to this, CMHA and CAMH are working to develop a peer support component to this project.

This project will also add to the growing knowledge on the dynamics involved in acquiring, developing and maintaining personal relationships by people with mental health difficulties.