Community Mental Health

Many immigrants and refugees experience high levels of stress and trauma as a result of their migration and settlement experiences. Unfortunately, many struggle to find help in their first language. Our Community Mental Health Program mobilizes the skills of internationally trained mental health professionals to meet the emotional health needs of Spanish speaking newcomers in Toronto. Through this unique program, internationally trained clinicians offer individual counselling and group programs to help newcomers overcome different kinds of stress or trauma, and to promote resilience, strength and well-being at the individual and community level.

Our Community Mental Health Program offers the following services:

  • Individual Counselling
  • Group Programs & Workshops
  • Anger Management

The Mennonite New Life Centre supports the career development and labour market integration of internationally trained psychologists through our Bridge Training Program.

Individual Counselling

We offer short-term supportive counselling for newcomers struggling with different kinds of stress or trauma, and referrals to specialized services where needed. Our counsellors are internationally trained psychologists – highly skilled and experienced – who have received intensive orientation and exposure to the Ontario mental health service framework. Their strength and focus is clinical counselling.

While our counsellors do complete assessments and write reports, they are not licensed to diagnose mental health disorders and will not write a report based on one appointment. Clients requiring a report for the Immigration and Refugee Board or for other purposes are asked to notify us at least six weeks in advance.

To access counselling services, please call 647-776-2057 to request a mental health intake assessment. The intake worker will asses urgency and make the referral to the counselling team. Please note that there is often a waiting list to access counselling services.

Counselling services available in:

  • Spanish
  • English
  • Indonesian (pilot project runs only until August 2011)

To book an assessment appointment, call our centralized reception and appointment scheduling number: 647-776-2057

Group Workshops & Programs

Parenting GroupThroughout the year, the community mental health program offers a range of group programs and workshops, providing participants with opportunities to share stories and mutual support, build resilience and hope, identify strengths and develop community leadership. Group programs include refugee support groups, parenting support groups, a strengths-based empowerment and leadership development group, and an employment and mental health group.

Our workshops support participants to tap into their inner strength, while managing emotions, learning positive communication approaches, and buiding support networks.

Anger Management

Anger can be a natural response to the stress of migration, the challenge of navigating new realities in a new language, and struggling to find meaningful employment. Through this program, we assist individuals to understand and better channel their anger. A specialized version of this program focuses on domestic violence, emphasizing prevention and accountability. A community worker, Jorge Saban, provides this service weekly through one-on-one counseling and group sessions, at our 1774 Queen St E location.

For more information, call Jorge Saban at 647-780-9226.