Sound Times Support Services

Sound Times Support Services is a Canadian nonprofit organization based in Toronto, Ontario, specializing in mental health, addiction, and justice-related support services. Incorporated in August 1992, the organization is staffed and governed by consumers and survivors with lived experience of mental health, substance use, and interactions with the criminal justice system. It operates as a consumer/survivor initiative emphasizing peer support, advocacy, and community-building.

History and Background

Sound Times Support Services evolved from the merger of social and recreational clubs originally run by Community Resource Connections of Toronto. Following a city-wide consultation, consumers and survivors recommended establishing an autonomous organization managed by and for themselves. This led to the incorporation of Sound Times Support Services of Metropolitan Toronto in 1992, with a founding vision focused on survivor-led governance and service delivery.

Since its founding, Sound Times has expanded considerably in mandate and capacity, largely due to increased funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network. This enhanced funding has enabled the organization to broaden its services to include specialized supports for individuals involved with the criminal justice system and those seeking help with substance misuse issues.

Mission and Values

The mission of Sound Times centers on finding opportunity in difference by providing supportive, peer-led services that respect the autonomy and lived experience of individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The core values guiding Sound Times include:

• Survivor-led advocacy
• Social justice and social inclusion
• Building and sustaining community
• Innovation and excellence

These principles reflect the organization’s commitment to empowering its members and fostering an inclusive community that supports recovery and self-determination.

Services and Programs

Sound Times offers a range of mental health and addiction supports grounded in peer support and experiential knowledge. Key components of its service delivery include:

• Resource Centre: A welcoming community space open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, where members can access trustworthy information and resources related to mental health, addiction, housing, food, and clothing. The Resource Centre also provides a safe, warm environment to relax and connect with peers.
• Peer Support and Advocacy: Services are delivered by staff and members with lived experience, fostering a respectful and capable environment where individuals receive support based on what they feel would be helpful. Advocacy includes assisting individuals involved with the criminal justice system without requiring formal referrals.
• Self-empowering Addiction Programs: Implementation of programs such as SMART© Recovery, which equips participants with evidence-based tools for managing substance use recovery within a global mutual-help community.
• Community and Member-driven Activities: Members choose and organize activities that range from social events to multimedia projects, including filmmaking initiatives that explore lived experiences related to consumer/survivor identity, mental health, and social issues.

Sound Times emphasizes autonomy and peer relationships as foundational to effective support, differentiating itself from traditional service models through member control and participatory governance.

Funding and Governance

Sound Times is registered as a charitable organization with the Business Registration Number 133639187RR0001. It complies with the Canada Revenue Agency's requirements for registered charities. The organization's funding primarily comes from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care via the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, which supports its diverse programming and specialized services.

Community Impact

By centering peer support and lived experience, Sound Times fosters a community that empowers individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges to build supports for themselves and one another. Its survivor-led model promotes social justice and inclusion, contributing to a broader movement for mental health advocacy and systemic change in Toronto and beyond.

Note: This article is based on publicly available information about Sound Times Support Services, reflecting the organization's mission, history, and programs without including personal contact details.