Increasing the effectiveness of frontline workers through a model mental health training program.

The Ontario Ministry of Housing provides permanent, affordable, independent housing for mental health consumers. This approach, not contingent on consumer participation in support service programs, is part of a continuum of housing options. To help integrate consumers into social housing communities, the ministry engaged a Senior Advisor, Mental Health, to develop alternate ways to maintain housing for this group. A province-wide mental health training initiative aimed at frontline housing staff, which uses unique techniques such as popular theatre, experiential exercises and partnership building/strategic alliance development will be described in this paper.