Recovery Colleges – Ontario Shores & Ontario Tech University

In this webinar, we will be joined by our guests from Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and Ontario Tech University to talk about the history and philosophy of the Recovery College model as well as its expansion into the post-secondary space.

This session will explore:

  • The emergence of the post-secondary Recovery College movement
  • The implementation process
  • The impact of Recovery Colleges
Presenter Bios

Holly Harris is a Post-Secondary Peer Support Specialist at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Holly leverages her lived experiences with mental health challenges to inform the planning, development, and delivery of Recovery College programming in post-secondary institutions.

Coupled with this lived experience, Holly’s professional and academic experiences related to mental health research and critical disability studies are leveraged to ensure that the voices of those with lived experiences are at the forefront of program development and delivery.

 

Julia Houston is a Post-Secondary Peer Support Specialist at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. As a recent university graduate and someone who has experienced mental health challenges, Julia is passionate about leveraging her own experiences to inform the planning, development, and delivery of Recovery College programming in post-secondary institutions.

Julia has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Queen’s University, and is excited to be working in a field where the voices of those with lived experiences are valued and put at the forefront of programming.

 

Bonnie Pedota is one of two Student Wellness Coordinators with Student Mental Health Services at Ontario Tech University.  She has worked and volunteered in the mental health field for 13 years as an author, spiritual psychotherapist, speaker, mental health coach, trainer and peer support specialist.

Bonnie entered the field of mental health in 2005 after her own difficult journey through an anxiety disorder, which makes her very passionate about the Recovery College philosophy and mission.

 

Hallie Palmer is a Bachelor of Commerce student at Ontario Tech University. After having experiences with mental health concerns for years, she joined the Recovery College courses offered at her university in January of 2020.

She feels that the Recovery College courses taught her valuable lessons and had a tremendous impact on her journey to recovery. Currently, she co-facilitates a Recovery College course and welcomes opportunities to tell her story in hopes that she can inspire others.

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