Looking for support?
- Connect one-on-one with a Peer Navigator to set and work on your goals
- Get support to find and get access to resources, programs & services that meet your needs
- Develop and practice your self-advocacy skills, and celebrate your wins – big and small!
Who can access the program?
- Adults (17+) who reside in Vancouver,
- Who self-identify as having challenges related to their mental health and/or substance use; and
- Are not currently receiving services from a formal Community Mental Health Team.
To learn more about the Peer Navigator program and to register,
please contact the intake coordinator:
| By Email: | Peer.Navigator@cmha.bc.ca |
| or by phone: | 604 – 872 – 3148 |
*This optional referral form can be filled out and sent directly to peer.navigator@cmha.bc.ca. Self referrals are welcome.
Who are the Peer Navigators?
The Peer Navigators are a team of 8 peers who identify as having lived-experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges. The Peer Navigator team recognizes how challenging it can be to navigate systems of support, find and access resources that meet each persons specific needs, and how hard it can feel to ask for assistance. The Peer Navigators draw on personal lived-experience, training and education to work alongside and encourage program participants in a goal- and recovery-oriented space.
What does the Peer Navigator program offer?
- FREE one-on-one appointments with a Peer Navigator for up to 1 year
- Collaborative support to assist with finding and accessing resources that meet your self-identified needs
- Appointments in a non-judgmental space where you can discuss, set and work towards your self-identified goals related to your health and wellness, income and finances, community connections, housing, and/or legal matters
- Support with finding relevant information related to your self-identified needs and goals, as well as referrals to local resources, services and programs
- Collaborative assistance with paperwork and applications
- A safe place to develop and practice self-advocacy skills, increase self-confidence, and celebrate your strengths and wins – big and small!
- 1-hour appointments as often as every week. You can discuss your needs with your Peer Navigator and work together to develop a schedule
What can a Peer Navigator support with?
Peer Navigators recognize that everyone’s needs, goals and experiences are unique. Program participants are invited to discuss and identify what they would like to focus on during each session with their Peer Navigator.
Below are some examples of common goals and tasks that participants work on with support from their Peer Navigator:
*Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are seeking assistance with something that is not listed below, you are invited to contact the program. If we are unable to assist with what you’re looking for, we will do our best to offer alternative resources that may be able to help.
Explore options & connect with…
- A GP, Family Doctor, health clinic, or Community Health Care Centre
- Resources that offer free and low-cost food, clothing, leisure activities, counselling and more.
- Employment programs and services that assist with finding employment or volunteer opportunities
- Local dental clinics
- Shelters and safe houses
- A variety of mental health, substance use and/or harm reduction services, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, detox, recovery programs and more.
- Free or low-cost legal and advocacy services
- Specific resources for immigrants and refugees, families, older adults, youth, or folks who identify as LGBTQ2S+
- Indigenous services and initiatives
- Many other services, programs and resources available in the community
Get support with applications for…
- Income supports, such as: Income Assistance, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, CPP, PWD, and more.
- BC Housing, subsidized, affordable or addictions recovery housing, co-op’s, etc.
- Crisis grants for people facing a variety of challenging circumstances
- Grants for access to leisure activities, art supplies and more.
- Substance use and mental health recovery programs
- Employment programs, services and resources
- Education, grants, student loans, disability services
- MSP, Premium Assistance and other health-related programs
- Identifications such as passports, name changes, etc.
- Credit checks, debt management programs, income tax returns, and more.
Practice and develop skills, tools and strategies to help with…
- Decision making, coping with challenges, and wellness
- Goal setting, identifying needs and prioritizing tasks
- Self-advocacy and feeling empowered in your recovery
- Identifying personal strengths and accomplishments to increase self-confidence
- Online research to locate resources and services, find housing, education or employment opportunities, and more.
- Navigating and accessing various resources, services and programs
- Debt management and budgeting
- Talking to loved ones, family, friends, health care professionals, or employers about required accommodations, personal challenges, needs and more.
- Increasing overall quality of life
Vancouver Mental Health and Addictions Systems Barrier Reports
Every two years, the Peer Navigator team collaborates to conduct research and collect feedback from interested program participants to develop and release a mental health and Substance use Systems Barrier Report. The report aims to highlight barriers that many individuals face when seeking and attempting to access services within the City of Vancouver. Please see below for online versions of each report:
Who can access the program?
- Adults (17+) who reside in Vancouver,
- Who self-identify as having challenges related to their mental health and/or substance use; and
- Are not currently receiving services from a formal Community Mental Health Team.
To learn more about the Peer Navigator program and to register,
please contact the intake coordinator:
| By Email: | Peer.Navigator@cmha.bc.ca |
| or by phone: | 604 – 872 – 3148 |
*This optional referral form can be filled out and sent directly to peer.navigator@cmha.bc.ca, if preferred. Self referrals are welcome.
