Community Mental Wellness Association of Canada (CMWAC)
Community Mental Wellness Association of Canada (CMWAC)
The CMWAC (formerly the Richmond Chinese Mental Health Support Group and the Chinese Mental Wellness Association of Canada) is a registered non-profit charitable organization that was established in 1995 as a grassroots organization. It serves as a platform that connects those with mental illness to their family members and other people with shared mental health concerns via culturally appropriate counselling services, education and training referrals provided within a caring community environment.
With the help of volunteers and in collaboration with other organizations, we strive towards our objective of reducing the social stigma associated with mental illness as part of an early intervention and prevention strategy. We believe that offering peer support services and providing regular therapy programs has an impact in the community and empowers individuals to take control of their lives and better manage their mental health.
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Services Offered
Counselling In order to provide excellent service in this program, the Association engages professional counsellors, certified life coaches and interpreters on all of its counselling functions. The length of each program session is approximately one hour unless otherwise specified in accordance to specific needs (e.g. a counsellor's availability, the consumers' needs, etc.). Because the majority of the clients understand limited or no English, certified interpreters are employed to make each counselling session more effective and comprehensible.
Recovery from Depression Course In a 12-session course, participants are taught how to set priorities and develop goals to better cope with stress. The course provides a variety of information including proper diagnosis, medication, acceptance of illness and self-management techniques to cultivate personal growth and agency. All activities take place in a safe, caring and confidential environment where consumers can feel secure in expressing their feelings with mutual support.
Peer Support Program Peer Support is a program where consumers with mental health issues support other adults in need towards recovery. It is a one-on-one assistance program with a Peer Support Worker who helps consumers enhance their lives in a practical and sustainable way.
Youth Program Every youth has different concerns such as religion, gender and socioeconomic class which can negatively impact their development. The Youth Program is an initiative designed to address the relationship of these influences to mental health. The program also aims to empower young adults to acquire essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills to navigate daily life and cope with stressors.
Music Therapy Each weekly music therapy session includes gratitude exercises, singing and dancing. This popular program has been well received by consumers and members. A Choir of Love was formed to bring together people with shared mental health experiences and to allow them to freely express themselves through joyful appreciation of music.
Fees and Payment
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.