Building Resilience and Supporting Wellness: The Impact of the RISE Program

Access to timely, compassionate mental health support and preventative healthcare is essential to building a healthier community. Through the RISE program, the Northumberland Family Health Team (NFHT) is helping individuals take meaningful steps toward improved wellness, offering accessible, evidence-informed care close to home.

As a valued partner of the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland (OHT-N), NFHT continues to play a critical role in strengthening integrated care across the region. 

RISE, which stands for Reach Inward and Shift Each Day, is a structured group program designed to share wellness information, create social connections, and support participants in navigating everyday health challenges. Grounded in practical tools and guided by a professional social worker, dietitian and pharmacist, this program delivers a proactive, wellness-focused approach centred on sustainable behaviour change and whole-person care. 

A key part of the program is that it is shaped by participants themselves. Topics are identified based on what matters most to those taking part, whether that is managing chronic pain, improving nutrition, understanding medications, supporting mental health and emotional well-being, or building healthier routines. The RISE team then brings forward information, tools, and resources in response, creating a program that is flexible, relevant and grounded in real-life experiences. 

Offered as part of NFHT’s broader services, RISE is one of several group-based programs that provide education, skill-building, and peer connection in a supportive environment. The program is open to the community, making it accessible to individuals beyond those currently rostered with the Northumberland Family Health Team.

Participants in the program can expect to: 

• Learn practical coping strategies to support healthy living and lifestyle changes 
• Build resilience and confidence in navigating life’s challenges 
• Connect with others who share similar experiences 
• Gain tools to support long-term wellness such as incorporating nutritious eating, physical movement, and mindfulness into daily life 
• Discover local and complementary health resources 

Each session brings together multiple perspectives, helping participants better understand how different aspects of their health are connected. Conversations may explore how nutrition impacts both body and mind, how stress affects overall wellbeing, and how medications, supplements, and treatment options can support or impact health, including considerations such as side effects and deprescribing. 

By focusing on both education and empowerment, RISE helps individuals move forward with greater confidence and a stronger sense of control over their overall wellness. 

The RISE program reflects the strength of a team-based care model. At NFHT, patients have access to an interprofessional team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, and other health professionals working together to support whole-person care. 

One of the key strengths of the RISE program is its focus on early intervention. By providing timely, structured support, the program helps prevent mental and physical health challenges from escalating and reduces the need for more intensive services later on. 

This proactive approach aligns closely with the goals of OHT-N, improving access to care, reducing system pressures, and supporting individuals earlier in their health journey. 

In addition to RISE, NFHT offers a range of complementary programs, including stress management, anxiety support, and mindfulness-based sessions, creating a continuum of care tailored to individual needs. 

Learn more by visiting the Northumberland Family Health Team website.