Resources for Community Organizations
CAMH offers a wide range of resources and tools to assist communities and organizations to address addiction and mental health
issues, including health promotion, harm reduction, prevention, and treatment strategies.
Talking About Mental Illness
Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) is an awareness program proven to be effective in bringing about positive change in young
people's knowledge and attitude about mental illness and in reducing the stigma that surrounds mental illness. It provides
secondary school students with the opportunity to hear the stories of community members who have experienced a mental illness.
It also provides information about local mental health-related resources that provide support and help to youth coping with
their own or a family member or friend's mental illness.
Reports
These reports contain helpful research findings and statistics in the area of public education in mental health and/or addiction.
Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
Many people have heard mixed messages about whether drinking alcohol has good or bad effects on a person's health. The Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines (LLRDG) are intended to help people make an informed decision about the amount of alcoholic beverages they consume. They
offer advice to healthy adults on low-risk drinking based on a very comprehensive review of international research on the
long- and short-term effects of alcohol for health and safety. The Guidelines describe daily and weekly drinking limits and
drinking practices that take into account the health benefits of alcohol while minimizing the risk of problems that can occur
in the short-term, such as drinking and driving, and health problems that can occur in the long-term, such as liver disease
or certain types of cancer.
Pamela Fralick Community Information Forum on Addiction
The Pamela Fralick Community Information Forum on Addiction is part of CAMH's broader public education efforts aimed at increasing
public understanding of addiction and mental health issues and helping Ontarians to make informed decisions about their health
care. This annual forum is named in honour of Pamela Fralick, former Chair and current member of the CAMH Board of Trustees.
R. Samuel McLaughlin Addiction and Mental Health Information Centre
A central source of information and support regarding addiction and mental health issues, the McLaughlin Information Centre
responds to the critical need for access to credible information on mental health and addiction issues, services and resources. Requests
for exhibits, displays and speaking engagements can also be directed to the Centre. 1.800.463.6273 or in Toronto, 416.595.6111.
Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Community Planning Guide
This resource is based in part upon the experiences in several communities where services have been established. This guide
is not meant to be a prescriptive step by step formula. Each community is different and some of the information and knowledge
may or may not be applicable. However, based upon previous knowledge, there are a number of key issues which may appear in
your area as the development process evolves.
Film Festivals
Shadows of the Mind Film Festival in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Visions & Light Film Festival in Thunder Bay are excellent
examples of ways to educate and influence public understanding about mental illness through creative expression. Films and
art exhibits with themes related to mental illness provide an opportunity to create a dialogue and this year, more than 3000
people combined attended the events in both communities. Further information on Shadows of the Mind Film Festival can be
found at http://www.shadowsfilmfest.com.
Workman Theatre Project
Since its bold launch in 1991, the Workman Theatre Project (WTP) has become known for putting a human face on mental health
issues, by producing professional theatre that not only focuses on mental health but is staged by a company comprised of professional
actors and people who receive mental health services. This unique arts company has attracted national and international attention.
Based at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, WTP has performed to audiences in Canada and has connected to the rest
of the world through its international festivals such as Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival and Madness and Arts 2003 World
Festival. The Madness and Arts 2003 World Festival was the first international initiative which brought together actors, dancers,
musicians and painters from around the world and featured art exhibits, theatre, music, dance, lectures, workshops, and panel
discussions with 185 artists and academics from nine countries and succeeded in reaching over 10,000 people in its first year.
Visit the WTP at http://www.workmantheatre.com/
There is Help…There is Hope Community Information Forums on Addiction and Mental Health
We are currently making changes to our Community Information Forums series and look forward to once again offering public
education events in late 2007. Please check back to hear about upcoming events. To recommend topics you would like to learn
about through a forum or other event, please email forums@camh.net
Practice Guidelines between Toronto Substance Abuse Treatment Agencies and Children's Aid Societies
This document, developed by substance abuse and child welfare agencies in Toronto, provides guidelines that promote collaboration,
consultation, communication and joint planning when child welfare and substance abuse treatment providers have clients in
common to facilitate optimal outcomes for children and caregivers. These guidelines can be used as a template for development
of guidelines in other jurisdictions.
ID#17314 -SP
Content updated:
April 04, 2008 2:08 PM
Centre for Addiction
