Peer Mental Health Crisis Support Worker

**Peer Mental Health Crisis Support Worker**

**Barrett Centre - Temporary Full Time**

If you are looking for a career working with amazing people while helping your community thrive, then this opportunity is for you and we want to hear from you. We urge individuals that have retired, semi-retired, are returning to the workforce, those that are new to Canada, and recent graduates to also apply. At Good Shepherd, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, equal and authentic workplace.

**Get to Know Us**

The work of Good Shepherd is based on a fundamental belief in providing hope and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable members of our community. Our services include emergency food and clothing; daily hot meals; emergency shelters for men, youth, families, women and children; transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs. This opportunity is with our Good Shepherd - Barrett Centre for Crisis Support.

**Culture and Values**

We _see the good_ in people, not only the challenge. We hear the warmth in their voices. We recognize that we all have potential and promise. Our programs help to tear down the barriers that have impeded our community's most vulnerable citizens and help them to establish a path to a stable and healthy life.

**_ Hospitality_**, as inspired by St. John of God is at the heart of Good Shepherd's mission. This means that we welcome all people with compassion, acceptance and a spirit of generosity; creating opportunities for transformation. Hospitality embodies our **Values**, **Responsibility, Availability, Adaptability, Quality and Dignity.**

At Good Shepherd, we recognize the inherent value of people living with addiction and their right to quality care and services. Good Shepherd is committed to integrating Harm Reduction practices into our programs and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances. By integrating a Harm Reduction framework at Good Shepherd, we can decrease barriers to service and better support some of our community's most marginalized members.

**Why work with us?
- Be a part of a caring **TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY**:

- Support for continuing **EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT**:

- Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and **EMPLOYEE / FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM** (EAP)
- **POSITIVE **and **ENCOURAGING **atmosphere
- Make a difference and provide **HOPE**

**Role Description**

In a compassionate, hospitable and non-judgmental manner, the Peer Mental Health Crisis Support Worker will:

- Provide individual face-to-face, telephone crisis and group support to clients, as required
- Facilitate peer groups/workshops in coping techniques and skill development
- Assist clients in constructive and therapeutic activities during their stay
- Assist clients with symptom management, self-care and positive coping techniques
- Provide information about self-help programs and consumer initiatives in the community
- Provide messages of hope and encouragement to clients, within the limits of appropriate boundaries
- Make suggestions about resources (books, workbooks, tapes, videos) that may have therapeutic value for clients
- Commit to the use of the Recovery and Harm Reduction Models
- ** Hours of Work: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm**

**Qualifications**
- ** Must have lived experience within the mental health and/or addictions system**:

- Must have understanding of the Recovery Model, and ability to relate to persons in crisis
- Willing to share your own recovery experience and success
- Possess motivational skills and an ability to motivate others
- Be able to use electronic documentation systems
- Knowledge of and experience working with community-based agencies and services
- Must have ability to empathize and find strategies to work with persons with a wide range of psychiatric symptoms and issues
- Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
- Computer literacy including: Word, Excel
- Committed to anti-racist/anti-oppressive practice and to the mission and values of Good Shepherd
- Fluency in a language in addition to English is an asset
- Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve._
- Good Shepherd has a mandatory verification of COVID-19 vaccination policy. More information on the full policy requirements and accommodation allowances will be provided to those selected for an interview._