The Learning and Leisure Centre of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg provides skills teaching and leisure programming for adults who have experienced mental illness, but are now in recovery and require support to develop readiness for integration back into the community. Both self-referrals and referrals from mental health professionals are accepted.
Download a 46KB PDF of the referral form.

Admission Criteria

Persons referred to the program should:

• Be over 18 years.
  Be stabilized in their mental health.
• Be able to relate to others at a level appropriate for group interaction.
• Be interested in developing skills and personal supports.
• Be able and willing to attend the program two times per week.
• Have adequate literacy skills to manage the reading and writing requirements of program learning materials.

Courses Offered

• Butt Out Smoking Strategy
• Communication, Relationships and Self-Esteem
• Coping Constructively with Anger
• Coping Skills for Women Recovering from Depression
• Developing a Healthy Body Image
• Experiencing Recovery Foundations for Recovery
• Managing Anxiety and Stress

For more information about our courses, please download a 82KB PDF of our Learning and Leisure Centre Program brochure.

Regular Program Activities

The Leisure Program offers a regular program of activities designed to provide a natural social environment for recreation. Many of the activities are in general public facilities where members will have the chance to enjoy themselves in a welcoming, supportive environment where the members may meet others and develop genuine friendships.

FAQs

Q. How do I enroll?
A. First, a referral form must be completed. Then an intake interview is scheduled at which time you will select the course(s) you wish to take and a start date will be set.

Q. Is there a cost involved?
A. There is no cost for any of our courses. The program is funded through the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the United Way. Some of the leisure activities, however, have a small cost attached to them.

Q. May I take more than one course at a time?
A. Yes, you may, but participants are cautioned about overextending themselves.

Q. Can I repeat a course?
A. Yes, especially if you missed a number of sessions in the course or were struggling with symptoms of your illness the first time.

Q. Am I expected to attend every session of the course?
A. Yes, the expectation is that you will attend unless there is a satisfactory reason not to (e.g. illness, family emergency, etc.).

Q. If I am enrolled in a course, can I also attend leisure activities?
A. Yes, in fact, you are encouraged to do so.

Q. How long can I stay in the leisure programs?
A. Our leisure programs are intended to be ongoing supports and are available for as long as you need them.

Q. Do you offer counselling services?
A. Our program is based on an educational model not a therapy model and is focused on the “here and now”.  Our staff provide counselling on how to reach the goals you have chosen for yourself.

Q. Do you help me find employment?
A. We are not an employment program, but we can help you develop the skills you need to access programs which provide that service.

Q. Is exercise part of the program?
A. Exercise is not built into the program schedule, but we provide the opportunity for you to use the health and fitness programs of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg.

Useful Links

Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba
Canadian Mental Health Association
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Centre for Mental Health Services
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Eating Disorders Association of Manitoba
Health Canada
Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba
Obsessive Compulsive Information and Support
Schizophrenia Society of Canada
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

The Learning and Leisure Centre of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg is located at B103 – 290 Vaughan Street, immediately west of the Downtown Branch. For further information, you can contact us at 204.989.4194 or email dgibson@ymcaywca.mb.ca