our youth on Indigenous practices. Nicole has completed a smudge using white buffalo sage and engaged youth in teachings of the sacred medicines.

The youth reported that they appreciate Nicole because she really gives them the opportunity to feel heard. Nicole adapts programming and implements resources that are appropriate for individual youth’s needs. She is always eager to take on new challenges and step in to support the program during times of need.

Nominated by Catherine Van Vliet

Kristen has taken on the task of organizing daily programming for the youth, making a schedule/calendar, and collecting the supplies needed to run the activities. Kirsten has helped in the development and implementation of individualized programming for youth requiring 1:1 support allowing youth to make progress towards their treatment goals.

Kirsten’s co-workers enjoy working with her for her dedication and commitment to the youth we serve. Welcome Kristen and keep up the creative treatment work!

Nominated by Catherine Van Vliet

Katie has remained actively involved with her school clients continuing to provide face to face sessions, as well as, successfully integrating Zoom and telephone counselling sessions into her practice.

In fact, Katie has been very effective in engaging clients in video counselling intervention and has subsequently, taken-on a leadership role within the school services team championing the removal of technology barriers and developing effective video counselling strategies.

Finally, Katie also facilitates a community group for LGBTQ youth called the Other 10%. Katie has ensured that this group remains up and running through this pandemic by using Zoom technology to ensure this well-received program continues.

Nominated by Dave Villella

She has been offering direct service to a respite client in the family home. She voluntarily accepts front line shifts in our intensive live in residential programs, to provide client and agency support. She developed a strategy to refresh staff on Preventing and Managing Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) using a virtual platform.

She is always on the look-out for personal protective equipment and products for our staff and clients and has enlisted her family in this quest.

Kim’s efforts are greatly appreciated, and we believe she exemplifies the qualities of a Mental Health Hero.

Nominated by Michelle Edwards

She let the young person know that she is still there supporting them. She has a great ability to think outside the box.

We’re recognizing Taija George for going above and beyond in a situation that does not have a protocol and for her heart of gold. She continues to reach her clients in need no matter what the circumstances.

Nominated by Christine Cuhna

She did this by working with clients and their families, ensuring continuity of treatment plans while supporting all parties in managing both their anxieties and feelings of loss regarding connection.

She has also worked tirelessly developing staff schedules that provide adequate coverage and support to youth, while attempting to take care of staff by providing guidance, reassurance and praise for work well done.

These are trying times, Janice’s efforts have minimized its impact by being someone people can turn to for a friendly ear and welcoming smile. Craigwood Children, Youth and Family Services as well as CMHO appreciate all that she has done.

Nominated by Jackie Northmore

within a 48 hour window without causing any impact on service delivery to the children and families they serve.

CCMHC have been able to conduct over 1900 sessions during the pandemic and continue to provide services to current clients and new families who have been struggling with managing during these unprecedented times.

Employees at CCMHC have implemented creative engagement strategies to interact with children via video conference and to provide therapeutic interventions.

Nominated by Michael Hone

happening “face to face” during the first couple of months of the pandemic. One staff helped a young person play cards with her mother by using an Ipad. The staff acted as the mother’s hands and held cards up to the IPAD screen so “mom” could see and play along from home with her daughter.

Another time, a youth was on “sick procedures” and needing to be isolated in her room. The staff face-timed the youth from another room and the youth reported how fun it was to play “scattergories” with staff from different rooms in the house.

Staff and youth joined together to keep the residence clean and making signs to remind people about social distancing and the importance of washing hands.

A Live-in treatment youth and her mother spoke about how wonderful and supportive all the staff have been in these very difficult times. The mother also shared what a great experience it was to have her daughter and her brother connect over facetime to play the guitar together. The mother shared that it was one of the more meaningful connections this youth and her brother have had in a very long time.

A Live-In Treatment youth and her father standing at opposite ends of an outdoor staircase. The girl placed her ear to the top porch railing at opposite end and from her father at the bottom railing as he tapped the beat of a song so she could then hear it and they could feel a physical connection from a social distance. The two of them are both musically inclined and this was such a nice and unique way to connect through music!!

Staff are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy during these unique days by arranging for special meals and celebrations for our clients. They celebrated Easter, Cinco de mayo Day and Mother’s Day. They even kept things interesting with “Russian Cosmonaut Day”.

Nominated by Gord Bain

and a CYW (approximately 7:1).

Families engage in family therapy with a social worker, weekly. The Center also has the support of a consulting Psychologist and Psychiatrist. The schools closed their physical buildings around the middle of March due to the pandemic.

This has left children and their families in the program scrambling with how to proceed in terms of education and, perhaps more importantly, in terms of continuing to access the mental health support for their children. Concerns around social isolation, worsening mental health, and family strains became even more paramount.

The Center’s middle school Child and Youth Workers Marc Shimwell and Lee Thompson operate as a team. Within a week after returning from March break these two CYWs responded to the new realities caused by the pandemic admirably and creatively. They created a wonderful program, mostly virtually, that supports the students, their families, and their colleagues, in a way that has brought a sense of calm, cohesion and continuity to all of those involved with the program- this includes both the academic and therapeutic support they provide.

Almost immediately, a Google platform was put in place whereby the teacher can continue to deliver ‘live’ lessons for 2-3 hours every morning, with the CYW ‘in the class’ supporting the students with their academics, engagement, and behaviour.

After class the CYW meets one on one with each student to support and assess their needs. The CYW also connects with the parents daily to report any concerns and to praise the amazing efforts of the students. Each afternoon the CYWs meet via Zoom with the students as a group (without teachers) for a therapeutic session.

These sessions provide a wonderful social connection for the students and are intended to support engagement and interest in activities at a time when there are few outlets for fun in their lives. A few of the activities include weekly chess, online cooking, communication workshops and community circle.

These two outstanding CYWs have strived to provide continuity in their programming in a virtual way. The students have remained on task academically and they have been given an amazing opportunity to access emotional and social support.

Attendance is high and the feedback from the students and their parents has been overwhelmingly positive. They have even had inquiries from other programs about how and what they’re are doing as the word has spread.

Nominated by Robyn Cohen

and a CYW (approximately 7:1).

Families engage in family therapy with a social worker, weekly. The Center also has the support of a consulting Psychologist and Psychiatrist. The schools closed their physical buildings around the middle of March due to the pandemic.

This has left children and their families in the program scrambling with how to proceed in terms of education and, perhaps more importantly, in terms of continuing to access the mental health support for their children. Concerns around social isolation, worsening mental health, and family strains became even more paramount.

The Center’s middle school Child and Youth Workers Marc Shimwell and Lee Thompson operate as a team. Within a week after returning from March break these two CYWs responded to the new realities caused by the pandemic admirably and creatively. They created a wonderful program, mostly virtually, that supports the students, their families, and their colleagues, in a way that has brought a sense of calm, cohesion and continuity to all of those involved with the program- this includes both the academic and therapeutic support they provide.

Almost immediately, a Google platform was put in place whereby the teacher can continue to deliver ‘live’ lessons for 2-3 hours every morning, with the CYW ‘in the class’ supporting the students with their academics, engagement, and behaviour.

After class the CYW meets one on one with each student to support and assess their needs. The CYW also connects with the parents daily to report any concerns and to praise the amazing efforts of the students. Each afternoon the CYWs meet via Zoom with the students as a group (without teachers) for a therapeutic session.

These sessions provide a wonderful social connection for the students and are intended to support engagement and interest in activities at a time when there are few outlets for fun in their lives. A few of the activities include weekly chess, online cooking, communication workshops and community circle.

These two outstanding CYWs have strived to provide continuity in their programming in a virtual way. The students have remained on task academically and they have been given an amazing opportunity to access emotional and social support.

Attendance is high and the feedback from the students and their parents has been overwhelmingly positive. They have even had inquiries from other programs about how and what they’re are doing as the word has spread.

Nominated by Robyn Cohen

Mental Health focused groups and workshops play a key role in supporting children, youth and their families and is a key priority area for our service delivery framework. In line with the rest of the world, face to face delivery of all services including Groups and Workshops came to an abrupt halt in March 2020 due to Covid-19.

We all know that this pandemic has contributed to an increase of mental health challenges across the world and this has been no different in Peel. Michelle’s commitment to adapting and changing at this unprecedented time has meant that we have been able to continue to offer a wide variety of workshops and groups to the community who are experiencing mental health challenges and isolation.

She has shown great leadership and innovation in the groups space and understanding that our clients rely on workshops and group services, she quickly rolled up her sleeves and started to research and modify group material to use in a virtual space. Her priority and commitment in this space has been unwavering and she has been instrumental in making the changes required to continue in supporting and delivering evidence based / informed programs as well as workshops via Zoom.

She has done everything possible to not only step outside of her own comfort zone and increase her own confidence in delivering groups and workshops on a virtual platform but also support our front line staff to share tips and skills in engaging clients and their families virtually within a group setting. Michelle has demonstrated that anything is possible when passion, innovation and teamwork all come together. Thank you Michelle for all you do from all of us at Peel Children’s Centre and CMHO.

Nominated by Bhupinder Heer