Community and Outpatient Program Placements at CAMH

At CAMH, Community and Outpatient programs are a great way for volunteers to gain front line exposure in a mental health and/or addiction setting. Community and Outpatient volunteers engage and interact with our clients in a wide array of settings.

Community and Outpatient volunteers also provide individual social support in the community. They provide positive modeling for the client and assist the client in developing social networks. Volunteers provide support conducive to socialization while maintaining strong healthy boundaries. Volunteers help provide a continuum of care as defined by the client and clinician.

Utilizing a client centred care approach volunteers engage in activities that are based on the client’s needs. This may include: accompanying clients to community based social groups, shopping, movies, visits to art galleries, museums or other special attractions, socializing, meeting for coffee and any type of interaction that promotes socialization.

Volunteer Opportunities within Community and Outpatient area’s are as follows:

Group Facilitators – volunteers who co-facilitate sports, yoga, exercise, relaxation, music groups at on-site outpatient programs or CAMH Satellites. (CAMH community based programs)

1-1 Community Social Support

Tutors

Examples of onsite Outpatient programs are:

Child Youth and Family Program-Aspergers Program

Evening Health Services-Brentcliffe Site

Toronto District Secondary School-College Site

Discovery Group Client Support Program

Clinical Community and Outpatient volunteers interact directly with outpatients on a 1 to 1 basis or in groups. Volunteers are required to make a 1-year commitment for 1 to 3 hours per week.