A Caregiver’s Journey
In any given year, an untold number of families, friends and caregivers are impacted as 1 in 5 Canadians personally experience mental health concerns.
Families are often the first to notice when their loved one is becoming unwell. They can help by being emotionally supportive, encouraging access to support and assisting with practical needs such as going to appointments.
The road to recovery can have many bumps and hurdles and sometimes, families, friends and caregivers may be left feeling alone and exhausted with many unanswered questions.
What is Journeying Together?
The Journeying Together program educates and supports families, friends and caregivers along the journey to support their loved ones.
Support is flexible and geared towards unique needs. It can be offered in the following formats:
- On-going Monthly Caregiver Support Group
- Educational Group
- One-to-One Skills and Capacity Building Support with a Family Education Support Worker
Caregiver Support Group
The Family Education Support Worker fosters a safe space with open, non-judgmental conversation amongst caregivers to allow sharing, and listening, as well as opportunities for mutual support and knowledge exchange. Participants include people with varied experiences and roles in relation to the individual of concern. For example; parents, partners or adult children supporting those with varied mental health concerns.
Educational Group
The Family Education Support Worker facilitates a 9 session educational group to assist family, friends and caregivers in the development of capacity and skills related to living with a loved one who has mental health concerns. Topics are based on common needs of caregivers.
Topics include:
- Understanding Mental Illness and Stigma
- Navigating the Mental Health System
- Communication
- Boundaries, Limits and Expectations
- Addressing Emotions
- Stress and Self-care
- Crisis and Relapse Planning
One-to-One Skills and Capacity Building
Depending on the group cycle, there is some opportunity for the Family Education Support Worker to provide individual support tor family, friends and caregivers for a limited number of sessions.
These sessions are goal oriented and solution focused, based on immediate needs. This support does not include working with the loved one with mental health concerns.
Where can I access this program?
Journeying Together is available in the City and County of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes and the counties of Haliburton and Northumberland.
Who can access this program?
This program is designed for people caring for individuals aged 16 and up who are experiencing mental health concerns. If you are caring for an individual under 16 years of age, and are seeking support for yourself, please contact Four County Crisis at 1-866-995-9933 for assistance connecting with child/youth mental health services available in your area.
Self referrals are accepted and your loved one does not require a diagnosis for you to access this program.
To submit an online referral form, please see below to select the area in which you would like to receive services.
Please note, that with limited resources for this program, it may take several weeks for a response. For immediate support, please contact 4 County Crisis at 1-866-995-9933.
Get involved today
To become involved with Journeying Together, please select the area in which you would be accessing services. You will be redirected to an online form to complete, which will be sent directly to the Journeying Together team.
Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
33 Lindsay Street South, 2nd Floor
Lindsay, Ontario, K9V 2L9
Phone: 705-328-2704 extension 4027
Fax: 705-328-2456
Peterborough
466 George Street North
Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 3R7
Phone: 705-772-3987
Fax: 705-748-2577
Northumberland
1011 Elgin Street West Suite 200
Cobourg, Ontario, K9A 5J4
Phone: 905-377-9891 extension 201
146 Oliver Road
Campbellford, Ontario, K0L 1L0
Phone:705-632-2015 extension 3
Haliburton
14 IGA Road
Minden, Ontario, K0M 2K0
705-328-2704 extension 4027
Note: If you have a concern, please see our Complaints and Concerns page or contact the program manager, David Haw.