Peer Support Worker - INTREPID Lab

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in Toronto is seeking a Peer Support Worker to engage with youth, provide peer support, and facilitate group programming. The ideal candidate will have lived experience with mental health challenges and a passion for youth advocacy. This role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in diverse environments. Training will be provided, and the position may involve flexible hours.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health/substance use challenges.
• 1-2 years of experience in a similar role supporting youth.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with youth aged 12–21 to foster trust.
• Provide individual peer support and co-facilitate group programming.
• Conduct community outreach to promote the Youth-VAST program.

Skills

Experience with mental health and substance use challenges

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexible and self-reflective

Education

Training in Peer Support / Recovery

Tools

MS Office

Email communication

Job description

Job Description

As a Peer Support Worker, you will play a central role in youth engagement, advocacy, and care navigation. You will contribute to both individual and group programming, as well as participate in outreach initiatives across Ontario. The ideal candidate brings lived experience with mental health and / or substance use challenges and a passion for connecting with youth through mutual understanding and respect.

Key Responsibilities

• Build therapeutic and motivational relationships with youth aged 12–21 using your lived / living experience to foster trust and engagement.
• Provide individual peer support and co-facilitate therapeutic and educational group programming.
• Collaborate with youth to identify goals and support recovery-oriented care planning.
• Act as a coach, liaison, and advocate, supporting youth to navigate services and access community resources of their choosing.
• Conduct community outreach and participate in the promotion of the Youth-VAST program.
• Partner with youth as a shared learner, not as a helper, therapist, or treatment provider.
• Work within a recovery model framework, promoting hope, empowerment, and self-determination.

As part of the team, you will be expected to contribute to program development, research and educational activities of the service. You will provide services reflective of the diverse needs of the clients and their families. You will support a workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork and complies with all applicable and regulatory requirements. You will demonstrate a commitment to accountability: critical thinking, reflective practice and continuous learning. You may also be required to perform other related duties as needed and work flexible hours. This position is located at CAMH’s 1025 Queen Street West site, and in community settings. This role may require occasional evening and weekend hours.

Minimum Requirements

The successful candidate in this role will have lived / living experience with mental health and / or substance use challenges, which may include experience as a recipient of mental health and / or substance use services. The successful candidate will have 1-2 years experience in a similar role supporting / connecting with youth. Participation in training on Peer Support / Recovery, knowledge of Wellness Recovery Action Planning and experience belonging to groups, agencies or organizations related to peer support, consumer survivor initiatives would be an asset. A strong understanding of the psychiatric consumer / survivor community and familiarity with the youth mental health and substance use field is preferred.

You possess excellent organizational, time management, communication and interpersonal skills enabling you to work within a collaborative and diverse interprofessional team. Effective leadership, decision-making, and problem solving skills are required. Your skills will include the ability to be flexible, self-reflective and supportive. You demonstrate an ability to relate to young people accessing services from a peer perspective, as well as communicate to a health care team with an understanding of the value of peer support and the experience of young people navigating mental health and / or substance use challenges. Having the ability to work effectively as a team member in a dynamic and a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment is essential. You will have skills in providing services reflective of the needs of the clients and their families. You will demonstrate self-awareness and purposeful self-disclosure, be familiar with relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act and the CAMH Bill of Client Rights. You will value diversity and will demonstrate awareness of diversity and equity issues and working from an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lens.

Proven experience in facilitating groups or other consultations with a broad range of participants is considered an asset. Experience in supporting safe and meaningful participation and being open to diverse ways of thinking about, understanding and articulating issues related to mental health and substance use is an asset.

You will possess knowledge of community resources and navigating the youth mental health and substance use system. A high degree of familiarity with MS Office and e-mail, as well as the willingness to learn new computer programs are required; your role will include documentation on the computer. Experience working with clients, staff, and organizations of diverse backgrounds are required. Bilingualism or the ability to speak a second language is considered an asset. Training and supervision will be provided for this position.