Would you like to play an active role in helping community members when they need assistance finding their path? Without being a health care professional, you can still identify warning signs and direct others in your community to the appropriate support services and resources.
Not everyone realizes they need help or seeks assistance; they may not be aware of the services and resources available in English or how to access them. That’s where the Pathfinder comes in. Completing our Pathfinder training courses will equip you with the skills and knowledge to help others.
At the Wellness Centre at Jeffery Hale, we believe in the power of community support. Whether you’re a concerned neighbour, a caring friend, or a community member, you can play an active role in helping those in need. Together, we can identify warning signs of declining health and well-being and guide people, particularly those at risk who are isolated or lack social support, to the appropriate help.
Through this project, we seek to increase awareness of services available in English, promote a culture of positive health and well-being, and decrease stigma around health issues. Join us in creating an English-speaking community with vitality and a strong sense of belonging.
About the Pathfinder Training courses
- Self-paced training courses
- Two mandatory training courses and two optional training courses
- One training course specifically for youth ages 12 to 17
- Free of charge
- In English
- Receive a Pathfinder Toolkit on completion of the two mandatory training courses
Who can become a Pathfinder?
The Pathfinder Network is made up of local English-speaking community members who already are, or who would like to become, involved in contributing to supporting the well-being of others in the community. Anyone wishing to become a Pathfinder can do so.
The training may be of particular interest to those in contact with people who are facing difficulties:
School, cegep or university staff
Community workers
Volunteers in the community
Working at a place of worship
Peer support workers
Addiction workers
The training is not intended for health professionals.
Responsibilities of a Pathfinder
- Serve as a resource person to increase others sense of connection to the community
- Promote healthy living and ways of taking care of yourself and others
- Share resources for maintaining well-being
- Refer those in need to available services or appropriate professional support
acknowledgements
The Wellness Centre at Jeffery Hale developed the Pathfinder Network in response to the impact of the recent pandemic on individual and community wellness and the increased need for support.
Inspired by the project Le Réseau d’Éclaireurs, an initiative of the Gouvernement du Québec, the Pathfinder training courses have incorporated ideas from a few different sources:
Be There Certificate by Jack.org
Psychological First Aid by the Red Cross
Bell Let’s Talk Conversation Guides created by CAMH
Mental Health First Aid by the Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Aging in Seniors training course was created in partnership with Fondation AGES.
Disclaimer
These training courses are intended to provide you with basic ways to assist another member of the community when necessary. Upon completion of the two mandatory training courses, you will receive a Pathfinder Toolkit containing helpful resources for your role as a Pathfinder. On our WE Mind Mental Health page, you will find a list of local mental health services, as well as crisis care helplines.
These Pathfinder training courses are not intended for crisis intervention. If someone is in crisis or immediate danger, call 911 or a crisis care helpline, or go to the nearest hospital for assistance. Furthermore, these training courses are not to be used for diagnosis or treatment, or to replace official referral services. Nor do they qualify you for Peer Support Certification.
Please be aware of your well-being and have support available to reach out to if you are triggered by anything while completing our Pathfinder training courses. During your Pathfinder journey, if you feel the need, we encourage you to step away at any time and finish the training at a later date.
If you wish to take further mental health training, please consult Mental Health First Aid by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. You can also contact us to ask about other training possibilities.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
