What Is Networks Supported Education?

Our Supported Education Program provides Education Coaches who work with individuals interested in increasing their formal education, whether that means completing a GED, taking a few courses, or completing a university degree. Support is individualized, and moves at the pace chosen by the client. Educational bursaries available.

Population Served

Supported Education works with adults (19 and over) experiencing a mental illness and/or substance use issues who want to pursue education. Clients are connected to the health care system. This means they are willing to work with a health care professional to follow a treatment plan.

Goal

  • Support individuals to successfully pursue their educational goals.
  • Reduce the effect mental illness or a substance use issue has on finding and staying in the program/course the individual wants.

PHILOSOPHY

The Education Coach Program provides Psychosocial Rehabilitation (or PSR) services designed to promote personal recovery, successful community integration, and maintenance of a satisfactory quality of life. PSR focuses on helping individuals develop skills, access resources and improve their quality of life by building on their strengths. Individuals set their own goals, and choose how to achieve them, with or without support from staff.

We believe:

Everyone has the right to education.

Individuals who choose to pursue education have a right to be supported in finding and staying in the program/course the individual wants.

Obtaining education is an important component of recovery from mental illness:

Gives individuals a sense of purpose, and meaningful activity

Increase of self-worth and accomplishment

Increases skills and growth

Disclosure is up to the client: Services and education are not dependent on clients disclosing their mental illness to educators.

Individuals with a mental health issue or substance use issue are more than able to fully participate and excel in any kind of education and for many a return to school can be an important part of the process of recovery.

Over the years we have seen many people undertake some kind of study successfully, whether that is taking a degree, improving literacy, or undertaking specific, job related training. Through hard work and commitment, anything is possible. 

SERVICES PROVIDED

OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS

To learn more please contact:

 

Director of Programs
125 Skinner Street
Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X4
Tel: 250-389-1211 ext. 128

 Office hours- Monday-Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm

You can ask for a referral to Supported Education from your case manager or psychiatrist

(please note that we do not accept self-referrals at this time).

Referral forms can be found here: NetWorks Referral Form