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VOLUME
43: July2006 | online at www.cmha.bc.ca/enews/enewsjuly06.htm
| Welcome
to MIND MATTERS, an electronic newsletter produced by the Canadian
Mental Health Association's BC Division office (CMHA) and delivered
monthly to your mailbox. In MIND MATTERS, we provide new resources
and programs offered by CMHA BC Division, 20 CMHA branches across
BC and news from partner agencies and like-minded organizations
committed to the mental health of British Columbians. |
MIND
MATTERS is completely free and your
e-mail address is not shared with any third party nor is it used
for other purposes other than delivering the e-newsletter. If
you would like to know more about our efforts to ensure your privacy
is maintained, please contact our office. Mind Matters wouldn't
be possible without support from donors and the help of gaming
revenue from the Province of British Columbia. To subscribe/unsubscribe,
visit www.cmha.bc.ca. |
CMHA News
Help Us Build a Caring Community
Art for Awards Program Launched: Seeking Painting Submissions
Mental Health Information Resource Centre Grand Opening
New House for People Recovering from Mental Health and
Addictions
Time to Clean Out Your Closet!
Vancouver/Burnaby Branch Special Events
North Shore Health Lecture Series
Mandarin Support Group Meeting: Understanding Problems
With Anxiety
Sharing our Success Stories: Quitting Smoking
Mental Illness First Aid
Featured CMHA
Program :
Recycling Venture for
CMHA Port Alberni
Canadian Research
Work and Children
Drive Rising Stress
Depression Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
Statistics on Residential Facilities for People with Mental
Disorders Published
CMHA Mailbox:
Learning From Each Other
Research From Around the World
Early Detection
of Psychosis May Reduce Suicidality Risk at First Treatment
Prozac Not Effective in Preventing Anorexia Relapse
Explosive Disorder Affects Five Percent of Americans
Negative Body Image Related To Teen Depression,
Anxiety and Suidicidality
FDA Warning on Antidepressants
and Risk of Suicidal Behaviour in Young Adults
Increase In Use of Antipsychotic Drugs for Children and
Youth
Impact of the Consumer/Survivor Movement on Mental Health
Policy
People with Mental Illness Seek Health Information from
Family and Friends
Lack of Integrated Care Affects Physical Health of People
with Mental Illness
New Programs, Resources and Annoucements
Health Canada Advisory on Heart Risks for ADHD
Drugs
New Mental Health and Addictions Housing for Vancouver
Island
Housing and Services Being Added to Supervised Injection
Site
Support for Parents in Penticton
Pare-chocs French-Language Teen Depression Prevention
Program
More Caregivers to Benefit from Compassionate Care Benefit
BC's Multicultural Health Directory
Quick Facts on Mental Illness and Addiction Handbook
Practical Online Resource for Depression
Seniors' Group Launches Knowledge Exchange Network and
Guidelines
Call for Proposals for the Understanding the Early Years
Initiative
Children's Health Policy Centre Seeking Health Data Analyst
Open Minds Quarterly Announces Poetry Contest Winners
Public Education Events
Movie Mondays in Victoria
Word Mad Pride Festival
Dual Diagnosis Forums on Psychotropic Medications and
Group Support
Frames of Mind Screening – Derailroaded
Courses and Workshops
Deepening the Process of American Indian/Alaska
Native Counselling in Anchorage, Alaska
Free Caregiver Support Workshops
Conferences
Business Health –
Employee Health: Creating, Retention and Renewal
Schizophrenia Society of Canada National Conference in
Winnipeg
Addiction, Meaning and Spirituality
International Gestalt Conference
Brain Development & Learning: Making Sense of
the Science Conference
CMHA
News
Help
Us Build a Caring Community [back to top]
We believe that a caring community heals and restores hope. From our
community clubhouses and support groups to public education campaigns
and supported housing projects - each of our valuable CMHA programs
is made possible through the support of our communities. You can help
us build a caring community with your donation. Challenge your friends,
family, colleagues, and neighbours to show that they believe in a caring
community as well. There are so many ways you can help. Find out how
at www.givehope.ca.
Art
for Awards Program Launched: Seeking Painting Submissions - Due
July 31 [back to top]
Artists with mental illness from across
BC are invited to submit their original paintings to CMHA
BC's new "Art for Awards" program. The new program honours
the tremendous talent and creative accomplishments of BC artists with
who also live with a mental illness. Four winning artists will be selected
to each receive a $500 prize and recognition at CMHA BC Division’s
Annual General Meeting on September 16, in Vancouver.
Artists may submit one painting, suitable for framing and
no larger than 20” x 24”, through a local CMHA branch. Artists
may choose to donate remaining their submitted artwork, apart from the
four winning entries awarded as prizes, to CMHA BC for auction to support
future awards events, or to have artwork returned to the artist. Visit
www.cmha.bc.ca or
call
(604) 688-3234 (from within the Lower Mainland) or 1-800-555-8222 for
more information and CMHA
branch locations. Deadline for submissions is July 31.
Mental Health Information Resource Centre
Grand Opening - July 19
[back to top]
CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby
Branch and Vancouver Coastal Health are proud to announce the grand
opening of the Patient and Family Information Resource Centre (PFIRC)
from 3 - 4pm in the Detwiller Pavilion Foyer, UBC Hospital, 2255 Wesbrook
Mall. The centre will provide access to mental health information for
patients, family members, staff, and the community through their collection
of books, videos, journals and online resources. Once open, hours of
operation will be 1 - 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 1 - 4pm Friday to
Saturday.
New House for People Recovering from Mental
Health and Addictions
[back to top]
On June 29, CMHA
North and West Vancouver officially opened the doors to The Roy
Goodman House. The house accommodates 6 adults recovering from mental
health and addictions on the North Shore. For more information please
call (604)9897-6959.
Time to Clean Out Your Closet!
[back to top]
CMHA Simon Fraser
Branch, is in need of donations of house wares and clothing for the
CMHA Thrift Store, 129 East Columbia St., New Westminster. Drop off
Monday to Friday from 10am - 4pm, and Saturday from 10am - 2pm. Proceeds
go to programs to assist people with mental illness in the community.
Vancouver/Burnaby Branch Special Events
[back to top]
CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby
Branch's Recreation Services Program provides opportunities for
adults who are living with mental illness to participate in recreation
and experience the benefits of leisure. The following special events
take place at or depart from the Vancouver Recreation Office at 175
West Broadway. Please call (604) 872-3148 to register for two of the
following events. Please note that residents of Vancouver will be given
priority for registration.
July 7 – Newport Village Day Trip
July 10 – Belcarra Regional Park Walk
July 14 – Second Beach Outdoor Pool
July 17 – Pitch and Putt
July 24 – Splashdown Park
July 28 – Kayaking on Deer Lake
North Shore Health Lecture Series
[back to top]
The free weekly Health Lecture Series organized by CMHA
North and West Vancouver meets on the 2nd floor of the John Braithwaite
Community Centre at 145 West 1st Street in North Vancouver (between
Chesterfield and Lonsdale Avenue). All lectures start at 7pm. For more
information please phone (604) 987-6959 or visit www.cmhanwv.com.
July 5 – Stress Management and the Silva
Method
July 12 – Sleep Soundly
July 19 – Spiritualism
July 26 – Finding Your New Career Path
Through the COMPASS Program
Mandarin Support Group Meeting: Understanding
Problems With Anxiety – July 10 [back to top]
CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby
Branch will host their next Mandarin Emotional Health Support Group
meeting on understanding different types of anxiety disorders, basic
principles of effective coping, and where to find treatment that works.
With facilitator Adrienne Wang, Clinical Psychology Resident, UBC Hospital
Anxiety Disorders Clinic. Free to attend. 7-9pm at CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby
Branch, 175 West Broadway, Vancouver. For more information and registration,
contact Stella at (604) 872-4902 or (604) 603-0332 or stella_lee@cmhavb.bc.ca.
Sharing our Success Stories: Quitting Smoking
– July 25 [back to top]
Sharing our Success Stories is a joint CMHA
Vancouver/Burnaby Branch, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Coast Foundation
program to inform and inspire people with mental illness, their families,
friends, partners and health care professionals, through the stories
of success of other people with mental illness. The theme of the upcoming
session is quitting smoking. Five or six people with mental illness
who have quit smoking will share their strategies for quitting smoking.
3:00 – 4:40pm at the Coast Clubhouse, 295 East 11th Ave. (at Kingsway),
Vancouver, in the boardroom (downstairs). For more information contact
Tom Heah at (604) 253-5353 or Ann Webborn at (604) 709-6758.
Mental Illness First Aid – July
27 + 28
[back to top]
CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby
invites the public to attend their next Mental
Illness First Aid Course (MIFA). The 2-day course is designed for
people who want to gain a better understanding of mental illnesses and
the basic skills to deal with concerns arising from a mental illness.
MIFA is based on the premise of physical first fait – students learn
an ABC framework for how to respond to someone experiencing mental distress.
We provide information on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
and suicide intervention. Just as with physical illnesses, in mental
illness, early intervention leads to faster recovery. 9am - 5pm on July
27 + 28 at St. John's Ambulance, 6111 Cambie St., Vancouver . Course
fee: $150. For more information or to register, call Jaki Eisman at
(604) 872-4902 ext. 290 or email mifa@cmhavb.bc.ca.
| Featured CMHA Program:
Recycling Venture for CMHA
Port Alberni
 |
|
In 2001, the Port Alberni branch
of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) received
a $45,000 Community Enterprise grant to determine the feasibility
of a recycling business run by its clients. The grant money
was used in part to conduct a comprehensive survey. The
study found that 95 per cent of residents strongly support
the idea of having more recycling opportunities than are
now available.
Now all the CMHA needs is a building, a truck,
equipment and additional funding to get the project off
the ground.
|
The city provided support in the form of a tax grant - a plan
to lease out vacant city property to the CMHA for the creation
of a recycling facility. The five-year lease would be in place
from Oct. 1, 2002 (with an option for two more years) for a total
cost of $1.
The CMHA is currently half way to their goal of raising $200,000
to construct a prefabricated building that will house a recycling
centre and thrift store. "We are essentially one good grant
away," said Bob Hargreaves, executive director for the Port
Alberni branch of the CMHA. When the goal is reached, the prefabricated
building will be constructed and run by volunteers and members
of the society.
Hargreaves hopes to model the centre after the Nanaimo Recycling
Exchange, a very successful program. "We want to offer people
the opportunity to recycle things they can't right now,"
he said. "They don't just want a place to dump that old computer."
With the new centre, there would be opportunities to offer pick
up (for a fee) of old appliances. Also, items like old computers
could be refurbished, then donated back to the community to schools
or other worthwhile programs.
The society wants to build the centre to create employment for
local people with mental health issues, to provide a good model
for the community and to make money to provide more services to
those in need.
Find out how you can help support
this and other great CMHA programs in your community at www.cmha.bc.ca.
Excerpted from
Caranci, J. (2006, June 9). Cans or
cash: Will Sunbird fly away? Alberni Valley Times, p. A7. |
Canadian Research
Work and Children Drive Rising Stress
[back to top]
A recent BC poll shows that work and children are driving a continuing
rise in stress levels. The good news is that as we finish those responsibilities,
a majority of us report leading more relaxed lives. According to the
survey, over half of BC adults say that overall they feel at least somewhat
stressed (54%), middle-aged and younger people are the most stressed
and women are more stressed than men. Others who tend to be more stressed
are people in households with children and those who are working. In
fact, work and school-related issues are the most likely to be the cause
of people's stress. BC residents also note problems with family and
relationships, health and financial woes as factors contributing to
their stress. See "Work and Children Drive Rising Stress,” at www.mustelgroup.com.
>>
mark the date for the 2007 Bottom Line Conference - March
6 + 7 - for a day of inspiration, insight and information on
improving mental health in the workplace.
Depression Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
[back to top]
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a link between
depression and Type 2 diabetes, particularly in young adults. Dr. Jeffrey
Johnson and his team looked at more than 32,000 case studies of Saskatchewan
patients and have published their findings in the medical journal Diabetes
Care. They discovered that patients with newly diagnosed Type 2
diabetes were 30 per cent more likely to have had a previous history
of depression compared with people without diabetes. See "Depression
linked to Type 2 diabetes," at www.cbc.ca.
Statistics on Residential Facilities for People
with Mental Disorders Published
[back to top]
Homes for people with mental disorders make up the second largest group
of residential care facilities in Canada, with almost the same number
of facilities as homes for the aged, according to a new report from
Statistics Canada. According to the report, in 2003/2004 there were
1941 homes for the aged, representing 46 percent of the national total
of residential homes, and 1936 facilities for people with mental disorders.
Serving approximately 32,000 residents, this group included facilities
for those with psychiatric illnesses, developmental disabilities, centres
for those with drug and alcohol dependencies, as well as homes for emotionally
disturbed children. See “Residential Care Facilities,” at www.statcan.ca.
See also “The Daily – Residential Care Facilities,” at www.statcan.ca.
|
CMHA Mail Box:
Learning From Each Other
In the Volunteers in Partnership program I have found the opportunity
to meet and get to know a wonderful person. Tanya has taken the
time to open doors and has helped give me the strength and courage
I need in a positive way to do things I never would have thought
possible.
I have the support and understanding I need to carry on through
the sometimes lonely world of being mentally ill. We have done
a range of different things on outings from exploring the outdoors
to computers and I realize with help that I am learning and able
to do things I never would have though possible.
Our support for each other helps relieve the pressure of living
in the city, the tensions of day to day life and the difficulties
of living in a psychiatric boarding home. I think we give and
take a little knowledge and learn from each other. And our difference
in age, I am 44 and Tanya is 25, gives me a different outlook
and insight into different aspects of life and generations without
being misunderstood like so many people are. We have been meeting
for 2 years and I have accomplished a lot with my partner’s
help. I will always regard Tanya as a loyal volunteer and a good
friend.
Stephen
Volunteer at CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby’s
Volunteers in Partnership Program: matching volunteers with individuals
who live with mental illness for social/recreational/cultural
and leisure activities
Do you
have a story to share about a CMHA branch, program or resource?
Email MindMatters at mindmatters@cmha.bc.ca.
|
Research
from around the World
Early Detection of Psychosis May Reduce Suicidality
Risk at First Treatment
[back to top]
A program focused on detecting early psychosis may significantly reduce
the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour to people with psychosis
when they begin treatment, according to a study in the American
Journal of Psychiatry . In the study involving 281 participants
who had schizophrenia spectrum disorders or psychotic disorders, people
from communities with an early detection program had significantly lower
rates of what the authors call “the severe forms of suicidal behaviour,”
suicidal attempts and suicidal plans (4 percent compared to 17 percent),
compared to people from communities without an early detection program.
See “Early Detection of the First Episode of Schizophrenia and Suicidal
Behaviour.” An abstract with paid access to the full text is available
at ajp.psychiatryonline.org.
Prozac Not Effective in Preventing Anorexia
Relapse [back to top]
Prozac is one of the antidepressants often used to treat anorexia,
but researchers found it didn't stop young women from resuming their
self-starving ways. In a small study, more than half of the women who
got Prozac or dummy pills dropped out of the experiment, and few who
remained in it kept their weight from dropping into the danger zone.
Taken with previous findings, the results indicate that the common practice
of prescribing antidepressants "is unlikely to provide substantial
benefit for most patients with anorexia," the researchers wrote.
The U.S.-led study, which was conducted in part by researchers at Toronto
General Hospital , is published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association . See “Prozac not effective in preventing anorexia
relapse,” at chealth.canoe.ca.
Explosive Disorder Affects Five Percent of
Americans [back to top]
To you, that angry, horn-blasting tailgater is suffering from
road rage. But doctors have another name for it - intermittent explosive
disorder - and a new study published in the Archives of General
Psychiatry suggests it is far more common than they realized, affecting
up to 16 million Americans. By definition, intermittent explosive disorder
involves multiple outbursts that are way out of proportion to the situation.
These angry outbursts often include threats or aggressive actions and
property damage. Road rage, temper outbursts that involve throwing or
breaking objects and even spousal abuse can sometimes be attributed
to the disorder, though not everyone who does those things is afflicted.
See “Explosive disorder affects as many as 16 million Americans,” at
chealth.canoe.ca.
Negative Body Image Related To Teen Depression,
Anxiety And Suicidality [back to top]
Adolescents with negative body image concerns are more likely
to be depressed, anxious, and suicidal than those without intense dissatisfaction
over their appearance, even when compared to adolescents with other
psychiatric illnesses, according to a new study published in the June
2006 issue of the journal of Child Psychiatry and Human Development.
This is the first study to show that adolescents with body dysmorphic
disorder and with shape/weight preoccupations display higher levels
of symptoms in areas like depression, anxiety and suicidality, as compared
to other adolescents presenting with psychiatric disorders such as behavioral,
psychotic, or mood and anxiety disorders who do not have body image
concerns. Interestingly, the authors found that the majority of the
adolescents in the study were not actually overweight. See “ Negative
Body Image Related To Depression, Anxiety And Suicidality,” at www.medicalnewstoday.com.
>> check out the new body image resources,
featuring stories and tips for teens, parents, lesbians, men, seniors,
practitioners and wellness professionals, available at the Jessie's
Hope Society website or HeretoHelp.bc.ca
website.
FDA Warning on Antidepressants and Risk of
Suicidal Behaviour in Young Adults [back to top]
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the
company that makes paroxetine, an antidepressant drug, have warned healthcare
providers that there is a potential increased risk for suicidal behaviour
for people taking this drug, particularly young adults. GlaxoSmithKline,
manufacturer of paroxetine (sold in the United States and Canada under
the brand names Paxil and Paxil CR), stressed that it is important that
all patients, especially young adults aged 18-24, and those who are
improving, are carefully monitored during treatment with this medication.
The warning is based on a new meta-analysis done by the
manufacturer measuring the risk of suicidal behaviour and ideation in
adults taking the drug. The results showed a higher frequency of suicidal
behaviour in young adults who were taking the drug. The manufacturer
notes that it is difficult to say if the drugs cause the suicidal behaviour.
GlaxoSmithKline also says it believes that the overall benefits to adults
taking the drug to treat their psychiatric disorder outweigh the risks.
The warning is available at www.fda.gov.
Increase In Use of Antipsychotic Drugs for
Children and Youth
[back to top]
There has been a sharp increase in doctors' prescribing antipsychotics
for children and youth since 1993, according to a review of doctors'
office visits published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
In the United States, the number of visits by children and youth who
were prescribed an antipsychotic by a doctor in an office-based practice
increased from approximately 200,000 visits to 1,224,000 between 1993
and 2002. By 2002, almost all (92.3 percent) of these prescriptions
were for second-generation (also called atypical) antipsychotics. See
“National Trends in the Outpatient Treatment of Children and Adolescents
with Antipsychotic Drugs.” An abstract with paid access to the full
text is available at archpsyc.ama-assn.org.
Impact of the Consumer/Survivor Movement on
Mental Health Policy [back to top]
A review of the history of the role of the American consumer/survivor
movement in shaping mental health policy says that consumer/survivors
have succeeded in making mental health care more patient-centred. The
paper traces the history of advocacy or social movement groups of people
with severe and persistent mental illnesses to see what role they have
played in shaping mental health policy. The growth of consumer/survivor
involvement in mental health policy was shaped by the closure of psychiatric
institutions and the growth of the community support sector between
1950 and 1970. Consumer/survivors also learned from other activists,
such as women's health groups, the disability movement and AIDS activists.
The article is included in a recent edition of Health Policy, which
also published two responses. See “The Patient as a Policy Factor: A
Historical Case Study of the Consumer/Survivor Movement in Mental Health,”
at content.healthaffairs.org.
See also the responses “Psychiatry
and the Consumer Movement,” and “A
Seat at the Table: Trend or Illusion?”
People with Mental Illness Seek Health Information
from Family and Friends [back to top]
Consumers at drop-in centres in Philadelphia say that family,
friends and health providers who come to the centres are their preferred
sources of health information, according to a study in Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Journal. Consumers recognized that family and friends
are not always the most knowledgeable sources, but trustworthiness and,
from peers, open-mindedness and the feeling of shared experience outweighed
other factors in their decisions about where to seek health information.
See “Understanding Consumer Preferences for Communication Channels to
Create Consumer-Directed Health Promotion Efforts in Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Settings.” An abstract with paid access to the full text is available
at prj.metapress.com.
Lack of Integrated Care Affects Physical Health
of People with Mental Illness
[back to top]
The separation of physical and mental health care is a key contributor
to the high burden of chronic physical illness in the population of
adults with serious mental illness in the United States, according to
a review of the literature by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania
. People with serious mental illnesses have greater difficulty getting
general health care services and receive poorer quality of care compared
to others, according to research cited by the authors. Older people
and those with concurrent disorders appear to be at higher risk for
poor quality care. While several factors are responsible, a lack of
clinical integration is a key contributor, according to the authors.
See “From Silos to Bridges: Meeting the General Health Care Needs of
Adults with Severe Mental Illnesses." An abstract is available
at www.healthaffairs.org.
New
Programs, Resources and Announcements
Health Canada Advisory on Heart Risks for
ADHD Drugs
[back to top]
Health Canada has revised the prescribing and patient information for
all drugs used for the management of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder) and advises Canadians not to use them if they have high blood
pressure, heart disease or abnormalities, hardening of the arteries
or an overactive thyroid gland. The new prescribing and patient information
applies to both adults and children. See “New cautions regarding rare
heart-related risks for all ADHD drugs,” at www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
New Mental Health and Addictions Housing
for Vancouver Island [back to top]
The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) will be investing
up to $3.3 million annually to provide 184 new safe, affordable housing
units and offer intensive support to people with mental health and addictions
as they regain their health and maintain their recovery. VIHA's five-year
strategic plan calls for a net increase of 313 new units for mental
health and addiction clients over the next several years. As part of
meeting this commitment in 2006/07, 184 Community Intensive Supported
Living units will be developed throughout Vancouver Island . See “VIHA
invests in new housing options for mental health and addictions clients,”
in PDF format at www.viha.ca.
Housing and Services Being Added to Supervised
Injection Site [back to top]
Vancouver Coastal Health along with the Portland Hotel Society
will soon be offering transitional housing and support services to clients
of Vancouver's supervised injection site who want to overcome their
addiction. The new housing and services called Onsite will be in the
same building as Insite, the supervised injection site located in the
Downtown Eastside. The new project is a complement to – not an expansion
of – the existing injection site. See “Housing and services being added
to help overcome drug addiction,” at www.vch.ca/enewsletter.
Support
for Parents in Penticton [back to top]
Families Organized for Recognition and Care Equality (FORCE) has opened
a new local chapter to provide support parents of children with mental
health issues in Penticton. FORCE formed in the Lower Mainland in January
2000 to ensure mental health care and services are provided to children
and youth and to assist their families in finding information and support.
For more information, visit the website at www.bckidsmentalhealth.org
or call Taylor at (250) 490-9306.
Pare-chocs French-Language Teen Depression
Prevention Program [back to top]
The CTREQ (Centre de transfert pour la réussite éducative
du Québec) has just announced a new french-language program
on depression and teens called Pare-chocs, designed to build skills
to prevent and/or reduce depression symptoms in youth 14 to 17. Developed
by psychology professor Diane Marcotte from the University of Quebec
at Montreal , the program features a set of well-researched tools designed
to be delivered by two presenters - 12 sessions with a group of adolescents,
3 with parents. Skills targeted include social habits, relaxation, healthy
thinking, communication and relationship management, self-esteem, body
image and others. The program will be available this fall. Please note
this is a french-language program and the link that follows is also
in French. To learn more about Pare-chocs, visit www.ctreq.qc.ca or
contact Isabelle Landry, project coordinator, at (418) 658-2332, poste
24 or isabelle.landry@ctreq.qc.ca.
>> for an evidence-based
resilience-building program in English that has shown great
success in Australia and BC, learn about the FRIENDS program at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca.
>> the next two issues
of Visions: BC's Mental Health and Addictions Journal look at
interventions with kids, youth and families. Stay tuned this summer
and fall!
More Caregivers to Benefit from Compassionate
Care Benefit [back to top]
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has
implemented regulatory changes to the Compassionate Care Benefit, to
allow more caregivers to access the benefit. The Compassionate Care
Benefit ensures that Employment Insurance (EI) eligible workers can
take a temporary absence from work to provide care or support to a loved
one who is at significant risk of death within 26 weeks, without suffering
sudden income or job loss. As a result of the new regulations, those
who provide care to a brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, in-law,
aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, foster parent, ward, guardian, or a gravely
ill person who considers the claimant to be like a family member, are
able to claim the benefit. The benefit remains available to those caring
for a parent, child, spouse, or common-law partner. See “Compassionate
Care Benefit Expanded by Canada 's new Government – Changes to take
place immediately,” at news.gc.ca.
BC's Multicultural Health Directory
[back to top]
Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA)
has developed the BC Directory of Multicultural Health Expertise as
a free online service for health organization, community agencies, institutions,
communities and individuals to connect with public health care professionals
with multicultural health expertise and cross-cultural health care services.
Currently, the directory has a list of 84 health care and social service
providers with a range of expertise providing services for families
in communities across BC. You can access the directory at www.amssa.org.
AMSSA has also developed a database of multicultural
health publications, currently containing 380 publications on a wide
range of multicultural health topics. Access the Resource Directory
at www.amssa.org.
Quick Facts on Mental Illness and Addiction
Handbook
[back to top]
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada has published “Quick Facts on Mental
Illness and Addiction in Canada ” to bring together in one handbook
a collection of important statistics. The society produced the handbook
to encourage public understanding and discussion of “taboo” subjects.
The statistics tell the story not only of how mental illness and addiction
affects individuals and families, but also the health care system, the
workplace and the economy as a whole. The handbook was funded by several
pharmaceutical companies. See “Quick Facts: Mental Illness and Addiction
in Canada,” at www.mooddisorderscanada.ca.
Practical Online Resource for Depression [back to top]
DepNet is an interactive information website designed to build
a community of self-support for people affected by depression. The site
– developed by the Lundbeck Institute, a centre focusing on psychiatric
and neurological diseases – offers an in-depth and thorough look at
depression for anyone interested in learning about the illness. See
www.depnet.ca for
more information.
Seniors' Group Launches Knowledge Exchange
Network and Guidelines
[back to top]
The Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) has launched
an online research and knowledge exchange network. The network grew
out of a workshop in 2004 involving 47 key stakeholders on seniors'
mental health in Canada. The network is for researchers, policy planners,
community service providers, students, health care practitioners, government
representatives and the general public. It is intended to connect people,
ideas and resources to ongoing research on seniors' mental health. Connect
to the network at researchnetwork.ccsmh.ca.
In addition, CCSMH has published the first set
of national best practice guidelines to seniors' mental health. There
are four separate documents providing best practice recommendations
on the assessment of suicide risk and prevention of suicide, and the
assessment and treatment of depression, delirium, and mental health
issues in long-term care homes. See the guidelines at www.ccsmh.ca.
Call for Proposals for the Understanding
the Early Years Initiative – Due September 29
[back to top]
Human Resources and Social Development Canada is accepting applications
for funding for the Understanding the Early Years (UEY) initiative.
UEY is a national initiative that enables members of communities across
Canada to better understand the needs of their young children and families
so that they can determine the best programs and services to meet those
needs. Each local UEY project has two overall objectives: carrying out
community-based research and enabling community members to use the research-generated
information to improve decision-making on children's issues. To learn
more about this initiative, please visit www.sdc.gc.ca.
Children's Health Policy Centre Seeking Health
Data Analyst [back to top]
The Children's Health Policy Centre (CHPC) at SFU Harbour Centre
is inviting applications for the position of Health Data Analyst (HAD).
The purpose of the CHPC is to conduct interdisciplinary collaborative
research on public policy to improve children's health in the population.
The primary responsibility of the HDA will be to create indicators for
monitoring children's mental health using a population health framework
and linked administrative data on children's health, education, and
development. The candidate must have previous experience analysing administrative
or population health datasets and experience with statistical software
packages. For more information, visit www.fhs.sfu.ca
or contact Cyril Lopez at (604) 268-7771 or cyril_lopez@sfu.ca.
Open Minds Quarterly Announces Poetry Contest
Winners
[back to top]
Open Minds Quarterly, a literary journal that publishes the writings
of people living with mental illness, has announced the winners of its
fourth Annual BrainStorm Poetry Contest. This year's first-place winner,
Melisande Luna, will have her poem published in the spring 2006 edition
of Open Minds Quarterly. Her poem, “In a Cloud,” will be published along
with the second- and third-place winners. Poems that won honourable
mention, including three by Canadian poets, will be published in the
fall issue of the journal. This year's contest received 247 submissions
from across North America. Open Minds Quarterly is published by the
Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) in Sudbury. NISA is a consumer-driven
organization that offers occupational programs to consumers of mental
health services. See the winners at www.nisa.on.ca.
Public
Education Events
Movie Mondays in Victoria
[back to top]
Every Monday at 6:30 pm, Bruce Saunders' Movie Monday project presents
free movies at the Eric Martin Pavilion at the 1900 block of Fort Street
in Victoria. More details at www.islandnet.com/mm.
July 3 – I Am Not An American! + C.R.A.Z.Y.
July 10 – Zorba The Greek
July 17 – Quill
July 24 – Incident at Loch Ness
July 31 – Little Fish
Word Mad Pride Festival – June
2 – July 2
[back to top]
Local and international artists, both emerging and professional, are
invited to participate in an interdisciplinary call for work addressing
mental health issues, art and healing, and human rights and psychiatry.
The 2000 World Mad Pride festival will take place June 2 – July 2, featuring
visual arts, film screenings, spoken word, and panel discussions in
Vancouver venues, including Simon Fraser University, Carnegie Community
Centre, 29 West Hastings and Gallery Gachet. For more information and
a schedule of events, visit www.gachet.org.
Dual Diagnosis Forums on Psychotropic Medications
and Group Support – July 13 [back to top]
Dual Diagnosis Anonymous will be holding two free forums in
celebration of their 4 th anniversary of supporting people with combined
mental illness and substance use problems. The first panel will present
at 1:30 - 2:30pm on the topic “ Is it Compliance or Not? - The Psychotropic
Medication Journey,” sharing their experiences in the
journey of finding psychotropic medications or combinations that work
or do not as they have journeyed through recovery. From 2:45 to 3:45pm,
the second panel, “ Been There - Done That,“ will briefly discuss their
experiences of meeting others in recovery through group therapy, self-help
groups, sponsors or mentors. Both sessions will be held at in Vancouver
at the Providence Building of St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St.,
New Lecture Theatre, Level 1. Email dda_lowermainland@yahoo.ca
for more information.
Frames of Mind Screening – Derailroaded
– July 19
[back to top]
Frames of Mind is a monthly film event utilizing film and video to promote
professional and community education on issues pertaining to mental
health and illness presented by Pacific Cinémathèque and
the UBC Department of Psychiatry. Derailroaded:Inside the Mind of Larry
"Wild Man" Fischer, is a journey through the thunderstorms
of the mind of Larry "Wild Man" Fischer, an individual with
a significant psychiatric illness, and an outsider musician who earned
brief fame and lasting cult status with his earnest, ear-splitting compositions.
Includes a post-screening discussion with Luke Meat, CiTR 101.9FM Music
Director. 7:30 pm at Pacific Cinémathèque, 1131 Howe Street,
Vancouver. Tickets: $8.50 regular / $7 for students and seniors. Eligible
for 1.0 hour Section 1 of Royal College's Maintenance of Certification
Program. View website
or call 604-822-7610 for more information.
Courses and Workshops
Deepening the Process of American Indian/Alaska
Native Counselling in Anchorage, Alaska – August
8 – 10 [back to top]
This training event for educators and mental health workers
is sponsored by Swan Circle and coordinated by the University of Alaska
Anchorage. The purpose of the conference is to creatively deepen the
process of counselling by building on Native traditional ways of communications
and healing. Participants will earn how to integrate stories, symbols,
rituals and ceremonies, music, humour, creativity and spirituality into
their counselling so that clients/students feel at home and open to
counselling strategies. For more information, contact Catherine (cathreimer@aol.com
or (502) 255-3773), Josh (joshthom1@hotmail.com
or (602) 954-1518) or Tina (tinaz@uaa.alaska.edu
or (907) 751-7211), or visit www.swancircle.com.
Free Caregiver Support Workshops - August
14 - 28 [back to top]
This free education series takes place throughout the
year and runs for 3 consecutive sessions. Participants can attend one
session or all four sessions. 10am – 12noon at Evergreen Community Health
Centre, 3425 Crowley Drive, Vancouver. Pre-registration is required.
To register call (604) 877-4699.
Aug 14 – Stress Management & Relaxation
Techniques
Aug 21 – Family Dynamics & Communication
Aug 28 – Community Health Services &
Facility Placement
Conferences
Business Health – Employee Health: Creating,
Retention and Renewal – July 7 – 9 [back to top]
Canadian Institute for the Relief of Pain and Disability presents
Business Health – Employer Health: Creation, Retention and Renewal;
Connecting Research to Training and Practice. The primary goal of the
conference is to enhance workplace productivity and innovation, disability
prevention, disability management, and wellness. This interdisciplinary
conference will bring together large and small business leaders, academic
leaders and researchers, disability and rehabilitation professionals
and other stakeholders concerned with business management, global, population
and occupational health. CMHA BC 's Margaret Tebbutt, Manager, Mental
Health Works will be presenting as a panelist. At UBC, Vancouver. Conference
Fee: $675. Advanced, Member, and Student Rates available. Advanced registration
closes June 15. Visit www.cirpd.org
for more information.
>>
learn more about supporting people with mental illness in
the workplace with the Mental
Health Works program and other resources available on the CMHA
BC website.
Schizophrenia Society of Canada National Conference
in Winnipeg - July 13 – 15 [back to top]
Manitoba Schizophrenia Society hosts "Voices of Resiliency:
Hearing, Sharing, Learning with each other" in Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada . This event will emphasize holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual-recovery-empowerment
perspectives. The themes of Recovery and Resiliency will contribute
to an educational, motivational, and inspirational conference for consumers
and families experiencing schizophrenia, serious mental illness, and
co-occurring disorders. Visit www.mss.mb.ca
or call (204) 786-1616 for information.
Addiction, Meaning and Spirituality – July
20 – 23 [back to top]
The 4th Biennial International Meaning Conference bring together
academics, researchers, practitioners, educators, students, and policy
makers from different countries to exchange the latest knowledge and
ideas in the prevention, treatment and recovery of addiction, with an
emphasis on the role of meaning and spirituality. Full conference fee:
$510; Daily fee: $150. At the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. For more information,
visit www.meaning.ca.
International Gestalt Conference - August
9 - 13 [back to top]
Conference attendees will participate in presentations
of Gestalt colleagues from around the world: large groups, small groups,
seminars, experiential workshops and process groups that meet throughout
the conference. With keynote speaker Erving Polster. This conference
and pre-conference workshops, offer opportunities for personal growth,
professional development, continuing education credit, and collegial
support. At UBC, Vancouver. Full conference fee: $500. AACT member,
student and early bird rates available. Work studies and scholarships
also available. Learn more about the conference at www.aagt.org.
Brain Development & Learning: Making
Sense of the Science Conference - August 19 –
22 [back to top]
An international conference devoted to enriching and
improving the lives of children by making cutting edge research in psychology
and neuroscience understandable to non-scientists (including parents)
who work with children on a daily basis. At the Sheraton Wall Centre
Hotel in Vancouver . Full conference fee: $524.30. Student rates available.
Continuing Education Credits are available for educators, physicians,
lawyers, psychologists, allied health professionals and more. For the
complete conference brochure visit www.interprofessional.ubc.ca
or email ipad@interchange.ubc.ca
or call (604) 822-7524.
|
Health promotion helps us to understand the many influences
on our health from social and environmental factors such as housing,
income, education, clean air and a sense of belonging, to our
everyday choices about diet and exercise. Understanding what affects
our health can help us take action to make it better. So can the
Canadian Health Network (CHN). It is a wealth of information to
help you prevent disease and make healthy choices for yourself
and your community. CMHA is the official Mental Health Affiliate
of CHN. |
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter contains information collected from a wide variety of
sources, individuals and organizations which we consider reliable. However
the content of the news delivered as well as referred to does not necessarily
represent the official view of CMHA, BC Division. Under no circumstances
shall CMHA, its employees, directors, volunteers, or the authors of
information provided in this newsletter, be liable for damages, losses,
demands, or claims.
If you like what
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CMHA BC, 1200-1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6, Tel: 604-688-3234
(1-800-555-8222), Fax: 604-688-3236.
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If
you have any ideas or content for MIND MATTERS, please send them to
mindmatters@cmha.bc.ca.
The
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), BC Division is a provincial
non-profit charitable organization which has, for the past 50 years
in BC, been concerned with promoting the mental health of all British
Columbians and changing the way we view and treat mental illness in
BC. We are part of a national association with over 80 years of experience
in Canada. CMHA staff and volunteers focus on four major responsibilities:
policy, public education, community-based research, and mental health
service and support resources. We are located at: 1200-1111 Melville
St., Vancouver BC, V6E 3V6 Phone: 604-688-3234 or 1-800-555-8222 (free
within BC); Fax: 604-688-3236; General email: info@cmha.bc.ca;
MIND MATTERS email:mindmatters@cmha.bc.ca;
Web: www.cmha.bc.ca |
|
