Canadian Mental Health Association – Brant Haldimand Norfolk and Brantford Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team

Canadian Mental Health Association – Brant Haldimand Norfolk and Brantford Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team

Location:

Brantford Brant Norfolk

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

The practicum is hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association Brant Haldimand Norfolk (CMHA BHN) and is seconded to the Brantford Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team (BBNOHT). This unique placement setting gives students the opportunity to contribute to system-level mental health and addictions planning while remaining connected to a community-based mental health agency.

CMHA BHN provides a broad range of services across the region, including crisis response, case management, housing supports, and health promotion. BBNOHT is a collaborative network of hospitals, community agencies, primary care providers, Indigenous partners, and people with lived/living experience who work together to redesign and integrate health services to better meet the needs of local communities.

Student Activities
Students in this placement will gain exposure to both front-line community mental health and system integration work. Activities may include:

• Supporting equity-focused projects such as gap analyses, patient-oriented discharge tools, and anti-stigma campaigns.
• Conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, and data analysis to inform planning and evaluation.
• Assisting with co-design and engagement activities involving service users, caregivers, and equity-deserving communities.
• Developing communication materials such as reports, presentations, or digital resources to share project outcomes.
• Attending and contributing to interdisciplinary working groups and steering committees within the OHT.
• Learning how provincial policies (e.g., Roadmap to Wellness) are implemented at the local level.

Learning Opportunities
This placement provides students with the chance to:

• Build skills in project management, collaborator engagement, and knowledge translation.
• Experience firsthand how community agencies, hospitals, and health system partners collaborate to redesign care.
• Deepen understanding of equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices in mental health and addictions.
• Explore the intersections of policy, research, and practice in a real-world healthcare system transformation context.

Practicum Requirements:

☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

☒ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.

☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation

Other requirements:

Preference for students who reside in Brantford Brant Norfolk or closely surrounding areas

Does your practicum require any previous experience?

Previous experience in mental health, addictions, community engagement, or health equity is an asset but not required. Students should have an interest in system-level work, research, and equity-informed practice.

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

Hybrid — students will participate in a mix of in-person meetings (in Brantford/Brant/Norfolk region) and remote project work.

Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?

Primarily indirect work, with opportunities for community engagement and co-design activities with service users and caregivers. The focus is on system planning, project support, and community collaboration rather than direct clinical service.

Number of practicums offered:

1

Field Instructor name and credentials:

Jaleesa Bygrave, BSW, MSW, RSW

Application deadline:

*extended to November 6, 2025

Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?

Yes, both.

Accessibility Considerations:

• Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use?  Yes

• Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings?  Yes

• Is the practicum considered fast-paced?  Fast

• Is there a high noise level in the practicum?  Low

• Is the site wheelchair accessible?  Yes

• What are the physical demands of the practicum? n/a

• Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of?

To apply for this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4PM on November 6, 2025. Applications will be sent to the site.