The Role of Peer Support in Mental Health and Addiction

Ontario has launched a new initiative called Roadmap to Wellness, which aims to develop a comprehensive and connected mental health and addiction system for the region. Over 1 million Ontarians face mental health and addiction issues each year, and the system faces challenges including long wait times, service fragmentation, and lack of evidence-based funding. In this episode, we speak with our Allyson Theodorou about Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness and the role of peer support in the mental health and addiction sector.

Guests: 

Allyson Theodorou is Operations Director of Peerworks. She began working for Peerworks back in 1993 in its earlier incarnation as the former CSDI. Originally tasked as an administrative assistant, she has taken on other responsibilities including office finances, conference organizer and, working with graduates of the PeerWorks Peer Support Core Essentials Program while they complete their internships. She is certified with Peer Support Canada, and is qualified to deliver PeerWorks Peer Support Core EssentialsTM Program training.

Producers:

Mina Zahine — Junior Producer