Originally named the National Network for Mental Health, NMHIN is a consumer network that was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1992. The legal name of the Network is NNMH, National Network for Mental Health, and it is operating under the name of NMHIN at present. NMHIN is described as uniquely positioned at the intersectionality of mental health and disabilities. The Network is directed and operated by people with lived experience with disabilities and mental health issues. With a focus on the intersections of barriers that citizens face, the Network prioritizes the realities facing the LGBTQIS2 community, disenfranchised peoples, Indigenous Peoples, racialized and marginalized communities, people of colour, newcomers and all peoples seeking inclusion in the experience of living with disabilities. We promote the social inclusion and community involvement of all persons with disabilities within society.
An essential tool in achieving full inclusion is the assistive technology application that NMHIN makes available through its website. This tool serves as a significant step toward breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive environment.
Our Mission
The Mission of NMHIN is to promote hope and well-being using an intersectional lens for citizens in Canada living with disabilities and mental health issues. By working closely with our membership, and by forging partnerships and alliances, we promote social justice, human rights from an anti-racist and anti- oppressive framework in amplifying the voices of citizens to influence decisions which affect them and enhance their well-being.
Our Vision
Our vision is to work collaboratively with our partners and alliances across Canada and around the world in establishing a nation that embraces intersectionality in supporting the lives of citizens living with disabilities and mental health issues. We envision a country where all citizens enjoy lives free from discrimination and with the freedom to experience full inclusion as valued members of society.
Our Team – NMHIN Board of Directors
Dr. Kathleen Thompson, PhD MSW RSW BA (Hons)
Co-Chair, Treasurer
Regina, Saskatchewan
Dr. Thompson is the Co-chair and Treasurer of NMHIN, and is a longstanding disability and human rights advocate. Kathleen identifies as a disenfranchised person having been in foster care and put into forced adoption as an infant. Kathleen's Master of Social Work thesis was on
The Adoption Myth: The History of Adoption Polices in Saskatchewan (1999)
Kathleen was a former Executive Director of the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan and Board of Director and Finance Committee Member with the Canadian Mental Health Association - Saskatchewan Division. She Co-chaired Saskatchewan's Early Psychosis Intervention Committee which led to the establishment of EPI Services in Regina. As well, she Co-chaired a Justice / Mental Health Committee which led to the first therapeutic courts in Saskatchewan for citizens living with serious mental illnesses.
Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Institute of Canada (SSHRC), Kathleen's PhD Studies at the University of Calgary in Clinical Social Work focused on the supporting the well-being and recovery of people living with serious mental illness. Her dissertation was on
Transitions in Well-Being and Recovery: Action Research Involving Older Adults Living with a Mental Illness (2011)
As a volunteer Kathleen has been the Chair of the Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities (SVOPD), the Treasurer of the Canadian Council on Disabilities (CCD), the Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Research Committee Chair for DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN). She joined the Board of Directors of the National Network for Mental Health in 2017.
Internationally, Kathleen is a longstanding Board of Directors member of the International Human Rights Association for American Minorities (IHRAAM). IHRAAN is in consultative status with the United Nations (UN) and focuses on supporting minority citizens, organizations and nations in accessing the international human rights legal mechanisms of the UN. The rights of Indigenous Canadians is IHRAAM's focus in Canada. Kathleen has consulted with multiple First Nations Governments across Canada, particularly around the public health complexities of the legalization of cannabis in Canada which occurred in 2017.
Kathleen owns two businesses, TomKat Communications and Thompson Policy Consulting Ink. She works as an in-person, online and critical incident therapist serving citizens and corporations in Saskatchewan where she resides. As a person who has lived with chronic pain due to an auto accident, Kathleen acts to stay healthy through fitness and by being outdoors. She is an active dog walker, lover of nature, gardener and kayaker.
Dr. Walter Wai Tak Chan, Co-Chair
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Walter Wai Tak Chan (he/him/them) is a user of psychiatric services and survivor of childhood abuse. He's currently a social worker who previously tried his hand in journalism, history, and physical rehabilitation. Walter is active in the disability movement and the environmental movement, and, of course, the psychiatric survivor and consumer community. He is currently Assistant Professor of social work at Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (Bawating, Batchewanung). Walter teaches anti-oppressive and anti-racist social work and is learning Anishnaabe law Inaakonigewin and relationality.
Dr. Leslie Yaffa, National Project Coordinator
Vaughan, Ontario
Dr. Yaffa's experiences and aspirations in Social Work have spanned over a twenty-year period where her clinical work has supported individuals, adolescents, couples, and families. She has helped many of her clients in dealing with stress and anxiety, interpersonal difficulty, depression and grief, parenting and behavioural concerns, racism, marriage/couple issues, self-esteem, and post-traumatic stress.
Dr. Yaffa is also an educator in the field of social work where she has spent many years working in the West Indian/Jamaican community. Her work in clinical/ community organizations has had her collaborate with refugees, immigrants, women, LGBTQ and radicalized youth and adults. She has developed clinical counselling programs, initiated innovative and strategic responses to social programs and plans, prepared needs assessments, and has been actively involved in community outreach/engagement. She is also experienced in mentoring, extensive clinical supervision (both with students and colleagues), crisis intervention, short-term supportive counselling, groups, and training/teaching in social services.
Aime Hutton, 2SLGBTQI Leader
Calgary, Alberta
Aime Hutton has 20+ years experience in the field of working with youth and dealing with bullying and abuse. As past leadership has failed her throughout her school years, she has now turned her experiences and attention to helping educators. As a Youth Diversity Advisor and International Speaker/Facilitator, Aime has designed a corporate training for educators called “The 4 Pillars for Facilitating Safe Spaces for Young Female Students in School.” Aime sits on the Board of the National Network for Mental Health Alliance representing the Province of Alberta and is a member of the Gender and Sexual Diversity Advisory Board with the Calgary Police Service.
Grandmother Roberta Oshkabewisens, Indigenous Representative
Port Elgin, Ontario
Little White Buffalo Woman: Bear and Loon are my teachers. Odawa/Ojibwe from Wiikwemikoong, Manitoulin Island, and proud mother and grandmother. My experience and training have and is still provide me with a long and rewarding life with our traditional teachings and ceremonies. I have been entrusted to follow through with confidence by those who have spent years of teaching me. Additionally, I facilitate and provide consultations to political leadership, other agencies/organizations, gatherings, and individuals. My main goal is to provide and facilitate our traditional healing and wellness ways of life for our Anishinabek to my best ability which I hold highly and respectfully due to the way I was taught throughout my life. I carry all the teachings with great pride and in honour of my teachers and guides.
Allan Bridgeman, Youth Representative
Winnipeg Manitoba
Allan Bridgeman is an accomplished software engineer, entrepreneur and disability advocate who has worked and volunteered in the disability community for almost a decade. Including, currently serving as an expert on the Accessibility Standards Canada's (ASC's) committee on accessibility requirements for Information Communication Technology (ICT). Alan has worked for organization like Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLR), Microsoft, the RCMP, Mamawipawin indigenous governance research center among many others. Alan is currently running and developing his own digital accessibility company. Alan has some background in mental health including having his Mental Health First Aid for Youth along with being regularly involved with the National Mental Health Inclusion Network (NMHIN).
Staff
National Executive Director
Ellen Cohen
Toronto, Ontario
National Project Coordinator
Leslie Yaffa
Vaughan, Ontario
Communications & Outreach
Justin Patak
Toronto, Ontario
Social Media & Marketing
Savannah Schnurr
Toronto, Ontario
Student Placement
Kerrin Haas
USA
Our Funding
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Canada for their invaluable support and commitment to our mission. Their funding has been instrumental in empowering our initiatives and enabling us to make a positive impact on the mental health and disabled community. We are grateful for their dedication to promoting inclusion and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts.
Contact Information
Email us at nnmhsocialmedia@gmail.com
Mailing address:
National Mental Health Inclusion Network
1867 Yonge Street, Suite 906
Toronto ON M4S 1Y5
Canada
Telephone: 1-888-406-4663
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