All CAMH volunteers must be fully vaccinated, share MOH documentation with Volunteer Resources and follow all CAMH COVID-19 policies and protocols to volunteer.
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View Crisis ResoucesMake our cause your cause. Gain experience with clients or assist in a research capacity. Involve your workplace. Volunteers are essential to CAMH's mission.
All CAMH volunteers must be fully vaccinated, share MOH documentation with Volunteer Resources and follow all CAMH COVID-19 policies and protocols to volunteer.
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There are many reasons to volunteer with CAMH. Some people get involved simply to come together with others for a cause they believe in, others to gain valuable experience working with clients or helping with important research. But what motivates most people to volunteer is the chance to be part of the larger CAMH mission—We are dedicated to patient, family and community well-being. We improve access to integrated care, answer the most difficult questions about mental illness and remove barriers to belonging. Together, we choose hope.
There are many ways to benefit from being a volunteer. Volunteering should be a positive experience for both you and the staff and patients at CAMH.
Volunteering at CAMH would also let you gain valuable hands-on clinical and/or research experience in mental health and/or addictions.
A few other benefits include:
- Social and professional networking
- Gain knowledge, new skills and valuable experience in a healthcare environment
- Letters of reference (after completing the minimum commitment and/or upon supervisor approval)
Volunteers at CAMH must meet certain requirements before being considered for a position. Before applying, please ensure you read and understand what these requirements are.
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Before applying, please ensure you’ve completed and can provide proof of the following: |
Read the descriptions above to decide which program you're best suited for, then complete the appropriate application. Please only apply to one program at a time and wait for a reply from the coordinator before applying to the other.
Potential candidates will be contacted by a Volunteer Coordinator for an interview, followed by screening of character references and police reference check. If selected, the coordinator will schedule you to attend a mandatory training/orientation. After successful completion of training, you will have to get a TB test, attend a registration/orientation to go over volunteer expectations, and sign a confidentiality and service agreement. You must be able to make at least a one-year commitment.
You must be 19 years of age or over to apply and be able to make a minimum one year commitment.
Yes. All Volunteer Candidates must be fully vaccinated in order to volunteer at CAMH. Anyone not fully vaccinated will not be eligible to participate in CAMH Volunteer Resources assignments.
This depends on what your skills, interests and availability are and what positions we have available. We hold onto applications for six months, contacting volunteers when and if a suitable position comes up.
We prefer that you commit to one position for a minimum of six months before exploring other volunteer opportunities at CAMH.
Volunteers only work in areas where staff and patients have expressed a need for volunteer assistance and a staff member has agreed to supervise the volunteer.
Yes. We welcome volunteers over the age of 19.
Yes, you must have a Police reference check when volunteering at CAMH.
CAMH does offer student placements, but not through Volunteer Resources. Visit Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training for more information about student placements.
It helps you raise your community profile as a good corporate citizen and encourages networking among organizations. Volunteering also helps create a sense of social commitment and responsibility among employees. It builds team spirit and morale while improving productivity and job satisfaction.
One good way is to create a corporate volunteer committee. This empowers your employees to take ownership. You can invite speakers in to promote the values of volunteering and motivate employees to participate. You could even publish an article or write a post on the company blog.
Activities can include leading or helping with hospital-wide special or seasonal events, baking socials, sport challenges, adventure programs and site beautification projects.
Find out more about our Corporate Volunteer Program by contacting us by phone (416 535-8501 ext. 36238) or email. Fill out an application form here. Or learn about our Corporate Partnerships.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applicants, submitting an application does not guarantee a volunteer position at CAMH. Volunteers are carefully selected based on the program, patient needs, skills, experience and availability. Priority will go to applicants who meet the criteria according to the hospital’s needs.
Volunteers are here to enrich the patient experience through various recreational opportunities. Volunteer positions have limitations and do not include tasks that are to be fulfilled by trained healthcare professionals ex. Counseling, therapy etc. We are unable to provide positions that allow you to utilize your past/present medical expertise.
Volunteering with a Clinical Program at CAMH is a great way for volunteers to gain front line exposure in a mental illness and addiction setting. Volunteers have the opportunity to engage and interact with patients in a wide array of settings, both at CAMH and in the community, and in a variety of activities based on patient needs. All positions require a minimum one-year commitment.
Research Volunteers assist staff in obtaining information necessary for research projects. The departments in which volunteers work vary depending on the availability of the programs. Length of commitment is contingent upon the assignment and volunteers typically assist five to eight hours per week. The skills required for these positions include:
Suits Me Fine is a clothing store for CAMH clients, where donated new and gently used clothing is available free of charge. The store offers essentials such as socks and undergarments, casual wear, and formal attire, which help clients feel good and prepare for important events, such as job interviews.
For more information regarding the Suits Me Fine Program please contact Norma McDowall.
Email: Norma.Mcdowall@camh.ca
Phone: (416)535-8501 ext. 36010
The volunteer (handler) goes through the same recruitment process as any person who has an interest in volunteering at CAMH. Once the volunteer is accepted, their dog is evaluated for four hours in an external dog certification process. When the dog is deemed suitable, they receive the official CAMH photo ID badge, lanyard and bandana, and are scheduled, with their owner, for visits.
Successful canine applicants:
For more information regarding the Pet Therapy Program please contact Theresa Conforti.
Email: Theresa.Conforti@camh.ca
Phone: Phone: (416)535-8501 ext. 32995
The library cart goes to various units to provide patients a variety of resources such as book, magazines, movies and video games.
For more information regarding the Mobile Library Cart please contact Sokhary Pao
Email: Sokhary.Pao@camh.ca
Phone: Phone: (416)535-8501 ext.33074
Volunteers provide social support by meeting a client once a week for one hour either onsite or in the community and they communicate in the language patients are most familiar with. Volunteer must be fluent in specified language.
Please indicate the language(s) you can speak in your volunteer application
“I volunteer on an inpatient unit, I facilitate a yoga program for the patients. I enjoy coming in once a week to help the patients relax and enjoy a program that will benefit their wellness.” - Amy, yoga instructor
“Why do I volunteer at CAMH? Easy question to answer! I want to support our clients who are working so hard to recover from the issues that are standing in their way of leading healthy and productive lives. My being there by their side may help build their hope for recovery that they so urgently require. My volunteering may help reduce the continued stigma that still persists against mental illness. My smile may brighten someone’s day!” - Carole, Client Library volunteer
Seeing the smiles on our clients' faces as they choose new outfits to wear and their self confidence as they walk the runway at the annual fashion show have been the best experiences of volunteering at Suits Me Fine. Looking good is part of feeling good and I am privileged to help our clients feel good about themselves through their interactions with us.
Candace Allman, Suits Me Fine volunteer
"I volunteer at suit me fine for several years. There is no greater blessing than helping others to choose beautiful outfits whether it’s suits for men, or beautiful outfits for ladies, to see the happy and excited look at there faces. It’s a humbling experience for me inspiring others to look there best and feel great about themselves. A job well done. I have to add also working with Norma is also great easygoing, respectful and very considerate easy to talk with. I am glad to be able to help others and enjoying doing so." - Yvonne, Suits Me Fine volunteer
"Through interaction with Dr. Rehm I’ve learned the step by step process of creating, writing and submitting systematic reviews and meta -analysis. I enrolled in statistics classes to learn how to read and interpret statistical parts in the articles. Overall, volunteering at the CAMH boosted my interest in research and enhanced knowledge in the scientific field. " - Maya, Research volunteer
“Seeing the faces of everyone engaging with Theo is such a joy. When you see someone light up when they have time with him you just want to spend more time here.” - Len & Theo (pictured below)
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