Areas of Interest- Brief Overview
The following are examples of program types and service settings to help you think about the areas of work that interest you. This is not an exhaustive list, but it can guide you in selecting your three areas of interest in the Field Placement Profile.
| Program / Service Type | What It Does | Populations / Community Groups Served |
|---|---|---|
| Harm Reduction Programs | Reduce risks associated with substance use (e.g., needle exchange, safe consumption education) without requiring abstinence. Focus is on safety, education, and connection to services rather than enforcing abstinence. | Individuals using substances; diverse community members |
| Street Outreach Services | Meet community members where they are (on the streets, in shelters, or community hubs) to provide support, resources, referrals, and connections to services. | Homeless/unhoused, youth, street-involved populations |
| Treatment Centres / Residential Programs | Structured programs offering daily support, skill-building, and community connections for people working toward recovery from substance use or managing mental health challenges. | Adults, youth, people in recovery |
| Withdrawal Management Services (Detox) | Support community members safely during substance withdrawal, focusing on stabilization and connecting to follow-up services. Students support but do not provide medical care. | Individuals experiencing withdrawal, adults |
| Drop-in Centres / Community Support Hubs | Low-barrier spaces offering social connection, resources, and support without requiring appointments. Students may help facilitate activities, provide information, or observe programming. | All community members seeking support |
| Shelters (Emergency, Transitional, Women’s) | Provide temporary safe housing with meals, daily support, and referrals. Programs may focus on trauma-informed care, safety, and access to longer-term resources. | Homeless/unhoused, women, youth, marginalized groups |
| Supportive Housing Programs | Longer-term housing programs offering daily living assistance, skill-building, and access to health and social services. Students may support residents in adjusting to independent living or connecting to services. | Individuals with mental health/substance use challenges, seniors, people in recovery |
| Mental Health Support Programs | Programs offering stabilization, guidance, and resource connection for people experiencing mental health challenges. Students do not provide counselling but may support groups, activities, or resource navigation. | Individuals with mental health challenges, co-occurring disorders |
| Case Management Programs | Help community members coordinate care, access resources, and achieve goals. May include advocacy, service navigation, and support planning. | Adults, youth, people with complex needs |
| Community Health Centres | Multi-service locations providing mental health support, social services, and health education. Students may observe or support programs, but do not provide medical care. | Underserved communities, all ages |
Populations / Community Groups – Overview
| Population / Community Group | Overview / Support Provided |
|---|---|
| Youth / Adolescents | Support for young people navigating mental health or substance use challenges, including school, peer, and family contexts. |
| Seniors / Older Adults | Support for older adults, often including mental health, substance use, social engagement, and assistance with daily living or community resources. |
| Women / Mothers | Programs tailored to women’s experiences, including pregnancy, parenting, trauma-informed care, and access to community supports. |
| 2SLGBTQ+ Communities | Services that affirm gender and sexual diversity, providing safe and inclusive support and social connection. |
| Indigenous Communities | Programs that honour Indigenous culture, history, and wellness practices, often incorporating community teachings and culturally informed approaches. |
| Black, African, and Caribbean Communities | Programs and services that are culturally responsive to the specific needs of these communities, including social, mental health, and peer support programs. |
| Homeless / Unhoused Populations | Support for people experiencing housing instability, including access to basic needs, harm reduction, housing resources, and treatment services. |
| Individuals with Co-occurring Disorders | Support for people experiencing both mental health and substance use challenges, focusing on stabilization, skill-building, and resource connection. |
| People in Recovery | Programs supporting long-term recovery and reintegration into the community, including peer support, mentorship, and life skills. |
| Individuals with Chronic Mental Health Challenges | Ongoing support for people living with long-term mental health challenges, including case management, peer support, and social connection. |
Special Focus Areas – Overview
| Focus Area | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Peer Support / Peer-led Programs | Support provided by people with lived experience of mental health, addiction, or trauma, sharing knowledge, guidance, and empathy to foster hope and resilience. |
| Trauma-informed Care | Approaches that prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment for individuals who have experienced trauma, ensuring programs do not retraumatize participants. |
| Advocacy and Community Engagement | Supporting community members to access their rights, services, and resources, including connection to social, housing, and health supports. |
| Health Promotion / Education | Programs focused on increasing knowledge, preventing harm, and promoting overall wellbeing, including substance use education, mental health awareness, and lifestyle supports. |