About Us

Welcome to Simcoe Peer Support for Mental Health & Addictions. We are a self help peer support and resource center for people who have or are experiencing mental health and addiction issues, including Substance and Alcohol abuse. If you are feeling down, alone or anxious - we can help!

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide and promote wellness and recovery for people that have experienced or are experiencing mental health and or addiction issues. We accomplishes this through peer-support, advocacy, self help and building partnerships within our Community.

We are here to help. We are here to listen.

Goals

Develop Crisis Plans
To encourage and maintain Self-Help Support Groups
To promote Education and Community Awareness
To foster a Peer Support Network
To support and enhance the existing services within the Mental Health System
Build on Community Partnerships
Lessen the Stigma Associated with Mental Health and Addictions
To advocate for Consumers of Mental Health and Addictions
To decrease Doctor visits and Emergency Room visits and hospital stays

Objectives

To supply a meeting place and resources for self-help groups in Simcoe County.
To provide support to consumers/survivors in the development of self-help groups.
To increase consumer and community awareness.
To foster a Peer Support Network
To support and enhance the existing services within the Mental Health System
To attain information, resource material, referral and education sources for consumers and the community.
Build on Community Partnerships.
To provide emotional support to consumer/surivors in a stigma-free environment.
To assist consumers to participate and become actively involved in the mental health services.
Lessen the Stigma Associated with Mental Health and Addictions
To advocate for Consumers of Mental Health and Addictions
To decrease Doctor visits and Emergency Room visits and hospital stays

Executive Director

Shawna Johnson-Hobbs (she/her)

Shawna finished the addictions counseling program in 2007 at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough and has been with the organization since. She started a part time position with the organization, after a few years she moved into the program coordinator position and has now settled into the Executive Director position. Shawna oversees the operation of the organization with the support of the Board of Directors. Her goal is to advocate, reduce stigma, encourage and promote education within the community. Shawna lives with anxiety and codependency and continues to work towards maintaining healthy boundaries. Shawna was born and raised in Collingwood and continues to reside there.

Program Coordinator

Dawn Davidson (she/her)

Dawn originally went to Simcoe Peer Support for help with her own Mental Health and found a place where she could talk with others that were living with similar issues. During her journey she started volunteering at the center and eventually started to work part time. In 2009 she received her Facilitators Certificate and ran some workshops on the weekends. In 2010 she completed the requirement for a Level 2 Addiction Worker as well as her Peer Support Worker Certificate. Her goal is to continue educating herself and to advocate, educate and support others in order to reduce the stigma of mental health and addictions.

Peer Support Advocate

Julian Millman (he/him)

Having been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in 2008 Julian was looking for resources within the community, ways in which he could better understand what he lives with. Julian found his calling in Peer support, having joined Simcoe Peer Support shortly after being diagnosed, Julian was able to better understand what he lives with and also make connections with others who are also on the same journey.

Board of Directors

Kathy Dudley as Chair Person

Susan Buxton as Vice Chair Person

Brad Doucette as Treasurer

Sarah Durant as Secretary

Rick Schubert as Director

Danielle Veenstra as Director

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