About Work Well NL
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Introduction: What is Work Well NL?
Work Well NL is a project of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Division (CMHA-NL). It is an internet-based resource for people living with a mental illness in Newfoundland and Labrador that offers information on supports and services throughout the province that can help them finish school or pursue post-secondary education or training, and/or obtain and maintain employment. It also includes online resources for further reading.
We also hope that this website will become a valuable resource to people working in the mental health field who are trying to connect people to information in all areas of the province, as well as educators and employers who are looking to find ways to accommodate and create supportive environments for their students and employees.
Some of the programs and services offered by the organizations listed on this website were developed or are offered specifically to support people with a mental illness or mental health issue, but most of them are for any individual in our province who is looking for more information on support in these areas. These general programs have been included because they offer all or some combination of individually customized education and employment or career development services, supportive environments, awareness of disability issues, flexibility, sensitivity, and have some experience in dealing with mental health issues.
We have included information on volunteering, as well. Volunteering can provide a range of opportunities to learn more about oneself, develop confidence, build skills, gain work and life experience, expand networks, and contribute to our communities all at the same time – these are all important elements that can contribute to an individual working well.
This website is still a work in progress, so it will continue to grow as we learn more about the supports and services that are available in our province.
Why a website?
Work Well NL offers a great way to have all of the relevant information together in one place and publicly accessible to people all over Newfoundland and Labrador at the click of a mouse.
There is also a great need for this information. One in five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, and work and education can play an important role in living well with and recovering from mental illness. Mental illness is also one of the leading causes of workplace disability. While many people living with a mental illness are working well all across our province, there are some people who may face barriers to finishing or advancing their education, and obtaining and maintaining employment.
People living with mental illness in our province have education, skills and experience from a variety of backgrounds. Providing access to a range of relevant information on pursuing or completing education, and obtaining and maintaining employment, can help people explore what is available and allow them to make their own choices and connections. These programs and services might not interest or be a good fit for everyone who is living with a mental illness in Newfoundland and Labrador, but we hope that you find the information on Work Well NL useful in some way, no matter what stage you are at in your life.
History and Background of Work Well NL
The Community Partnerships Project, which is comprised of a number of mental-health stakeholders from government, health care, and community in St. John’s, including CMHA-NL, identified the need for a web-based resource that would provide information about programs and services for people with mental health issues to help them form and maintain attachments to the labour market. The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment offered funding to CMHA-NL to take the lead in the development of this website but with a provincial scope.
As part of the development process, starting in September 2008, a survey was sent to a number of organizations throughout the province to collect information on their programs and services related to education, employment and volunteering that might benefit people with a mental illness. Interviews were also conducted with key informants to learn more about the work of their organizations.
A Website Advisory Committee comprised of mental health consumers representing CHANNAL, Schizophrenia Society of NL, and Stella Burry Community Services, has worked with CMHA-NL to help guide the development of the website layout, design and content to ensure that it is helpful, well designed, relevant, and represents the interests of people with mental illness in this province.
The Road to Wellness
The road to wellness and recovery from mental illness has many different paths and opportunities along the way, and CMHA-NL is committed to helping people make their own choices and find their way towards meaningful work and good mental health.
Working well is a win-win for us all!
For more information about this website, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or contact us.
Work Well NL is a project of Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Division (CMHA-NL), developed with funding from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information on CMHA-NL, please visit our website at www.cmhanl.ca, or click on the logo below.
