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Be a Chapter Leader

About PCMH Chapters

Chapters are community-based groups throughout Ontario, that offer peer-to-peer support for families supporting children with mental health challenges. PCMH is run by volunteers with lived experience. Our Chapter Leaders are passionate and want to help others by sharing their experiences to empower and provide hope to others.
The key role of a Chapter Leader is to facilitate peer support to families in their local community by offering emotional support, education related to mental health challenges and support with system navigation. Having local community chapters ensures that they are closely familiar with the mental health services and resources that are accessible and unique to each community or region.

Role of a Chapter Leader

Support

Chapter Leaders organize and run peer support chapters in their community. For many chapters this is facilitated through a monthly meeting. Providing support through shared experience is at the heart of PCMH, and is a key support to the community. The mental health services are fragmented and it is frustrating for parents and caregivers to navigate, our peer support chapters help families with their journey.

The importance of peer support and the role of the Chapter Leader, cannot be overemphasized. Oftentimes Chapter Leaders look to the families within the chapter, for a team of volunteers, to help meet their commitments to the chapter and the community. While both roles are volunteer based, Chapter Leaders are tasked with administrative work that is necessary for PCMH to stay informed about the needs in the community and to inform system change.

Education

Chapter Leaders are responsible for facilitating opportunities for learning and development. These opportunities may range from occasional guest speakers to monthly workshops, or the sharing of information from local service providers. Chapter Leaders consult with the families to identify their needs and interests and organize the chapter accordingly.

Leadership

Chapter Leaders play a pivotal role in affecting change in the mental health system, by bringing forward the family voice about the challenges they encounter on their mental health journey. Oftentimes Chapter Leaders sit on Family Advisory Committees (FAC), Special Education Advisory Committees (SEAC) and are advisors for research studies. Although this is not an expectation of Chapter Leaders, many Chapter Leaders realize their unique role to not only share their perspective on system improvement, but can also bring the family voice to these stakeholders.

Benefits of Being a Chapter Leader

Support

Chapter Leaders are the backbone of the peer support program, and it is important that they get all the support they need. Such as space to connect with other Chapter Leaders to discuss and raise questions about their chapter and to engage in peer support with each other. Chapter Leaders are also connected with a designated employee at the local Child and Youth Mental Health agency to share resources and strategies for unique challenges.

Education

Chapter Leaders are trained in Peer Support, Group Facilitation Skills and Systems Navigation. Chapter Leaders participate in an additional minimum of 10 hours of training per year and are welcome to participate in all available training free of charge.

Leadership

Chapter Leaders help inform the resources on the Family Care Centre by identifying the gaps and needs in the community.  Chapter Leaders support systems change and advocacy work by sharing their stories on CMHO’s social media platforms and media interviews.

Are you interested in being a chapter leader or to volunteer with a chapter?