Activity of the Month!

This month's activity is a therapeutic art activity called the Support Box. This activity is related to children learning ways to cope with difficult situations or feelings. This activity can be helpful for many children including children who have difficulty coping with anger, anxiety and stress. This activity can be used with children age 6 and up.

WALK FOR CHANGE in Etobicoke

LAMP Community Health Centre will be hosting a fundraising walk for their mental health and addiction services.
It's a great opportunity to have fun, learn the history of mental health services in Etobicoke and help to increase awareness of mental health and addiction.

Resource for Anyone Affected by Schizophrenia

This website has helpful resources, information and interactive tools for families and others affected by schizophrenia. There is also a short video clip about schizophrenia that may be helpful for children and youth to understand about symptoms and treatment.

Video For Kids and Youth about What it Can be Like for Parent with Depression

This short video is to help children and youth understand how depression is different from the sadness feelings everyone can feel. Great clip to help children begin to understand parental depression.

Mad Pride Toronto from July 7- 13, 2014

It's getting close to that time of year when we celebrate individuals with lived experience and their loved ones and help to:
         combat stigma and discrimination

         advocate for rights

         celebrate recovery in its many forms 

                                             

Check out Mad Pride Toronto Events so that you can learn, become inspired and have fun too! It's time to celebrate madness!

                                                        

You're Important!

Yes, YOU.  YOU are important to the world, your family, your friends, and most importantly: yourself.  Here are some words I've heard from families this week to describe how they're feeling:
Overwhelmed, stressed out, disappointed, tired, fed up, depressed, busy, sick, unable to cope etc. (I think you get the picture).
Stress levels go up and down depending on a lot of things that happen in our lives; and most of that we can't control (how frustrating!).  Remember, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.  As much as we can't control what happens on the outside, we can start to take the steps in recognizing what we can control within ourselves.  You're worth it.  You are worth fighting for.  You are important.

Please check out these helpful tips to tackle caregiver stress and burnout, and remember to take care of yourselves.  Have a great Friday, and do something fun for yourself this weekend!

Navigating the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Systems

If someone with a mental health and /or addiction challenge becomes involved in the justice system it can be scarey and confusing. CMHA Ontario has created a  map and summary of the process which hopefully will help people understand it, and be better able to make informed choices about their situation.

There's No Place LIke Home

Mental health advocates are always stressing that good mental health involves more than clinical treatment. It is important that one have a good support network, equitable inclusion into society, access to healthy food and safe, affordable housing.  This 60 Minutes program highlights the difference safe and affordable housing can make for people who are homeless. It also demonstrates that subsidized housing is an achievable goal and can save the government money!

How one person explains their own depression.

I'm constantly trying to understand what mental illness looks like through the eyes of the person who is experiencing it.  I know that i will never really understand how another person is feeling, but listening and empathizing really helps with my own perspective and coping skills.  I often ask myself "how can i help this person or family if I have no concept of what they're going through?".  I have to remind myself that it's okay that i can't see through their eyes, but i can sure try to step into their shoes for a different view on..well...everything.

 I'm a huge fan of a blog of comics written by a woman who has experienced Depression.   There are two comics in particular about her struggle with depression that have gotten a lot of attention.  They're important to me because it's very personal, real and heartbreaking; while all the while adding in some humor which really  makes these feelings easier to relate to for people who have never experienced Depression.

Please visit  Hyperbole and a half: adventures in depression for the first part, and get even more perspective from Hyperbole and a half: Depression part 2.

NOTE: the above links contain some swearing.

5 Simple Ways to a More Peaceful Mind

Happy Hump Day Everyone!
To get through the mid week I wanted to share a blog post from the Joyous Health website; where the motto is 'Live Well. Eat Well. Be Well.' Sounds good right? Joy talks about how negative thoughts harm us and how we can train our brains to be more peaceful and positive. Enjoy!

5 Simple Way to a More Peaceful Mind  

Consequences of Inadequate Support Services

I watched this 60 Minutes program which highlights what is happening to people with lived experience when proper treatment/support is unavailable. What does this say about our society when vulnerable people do not receive the respect and help they deserve? 

14 PRINCIPLES FOR FAMILY MEMBERS ON HOW TO COPE

Happy Friday! 

I just came across a really insightful and matter of fact article that is posted on the FAME website called "When Mental Illness Becomes Part of the family". The article features specific family situations and touches on the negative affects of stigma related to mental illness in our society. The Globe and Mail article also offers some key principles which I wanted to share here for family members and caregivers as a quick reference. 

1. Realize that mental health issues are not rare. 
2. Learn as much as possible, as soon as possible. 
3. Don't blame yourself - it can destroy your chances of coping forever. 
4. Seek professional helpers who are effective. 
5. Contact a self-help group for family members and caregivers. 
6. Accept that mental health challenges are complex. Our natural instincts can be an unreliable guide. Relatives need training. 
7. Get to know the origins of pressures to which family members are subject. 
8. Pay special attention to the needs of other members of the family. 
9. Remember that unlimited, unconditional self-sacrifice on behalf of someone with a mental health challenge is fatal to effective caring and coping. 
10. Be aware that spending massive amounts of time with your loved one who is experiencing the mental health issue can make matters worse. 
11. Maintain friendships, activities and hobbies, particularly those that will take you outside the home. 
12. Set your sights on appropriate independence for your loved one and yourself. 
13. Don't be surprised to find that the ability to change and look at things differently distinguishes relatives who can cope from those who can not. 
14. Take very good care for yourself. 

Over and out from the east! Have a great weekend!

Meg 

Hello Everyone,
Last night I had Graeme from the "Special Needs Planning Group", come and do an Educational Speakers Series presentation. The planning group was established with the sole purpose of supporting families and caregivers in their quest to provide a decent quality of life and a secure financial future for their loved ones with disabilities. Graeme is an amazing guy, he is down to earth, personable and extremely knowledgeable about the in's and out's of financial planning when it comes to ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program), Henson Trust, and RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan). I have added Graeme's contact information below and a link to the planning groups website. The site offers information to help plan for the future, and also provides resources and tools that you and your loved one can look into and consider. 

The end result of creating a "Special Needs" Plan with the group is that the person in your family with a disability will receive Quality Of Life funding and will be able to maintain a lifestyle that he or she deserves. As an added bonus, you as a family member and caregiver will have Peace of Mind knowing that your loved one will be taken care of.  

Graeme S. Treeby

The "Special Needs" Planning Group
70 Ivy Crescent, Stouffville, ON L4A 5A9                               
Phone/Fax 905 640-8285
http://www.specialneedsplanning.ca/

All the best!
Meg

LAUGHING LIKE CRAZY

At FAME we are always stressing the importance of self-care. One of the best strategies for this is to go out and have a good time. On June 5 check out Laughing Like Crazy a comedic show hosted by Mood Disorders Associaton of Ontario in which people with lived experience use humour to demonstrate how difficult issues can be viewed and dealt with. 

Psychosis Conference in Toronto on June 13

An interesting conference is being held in Toronto on Friday June 13 which will explore innovative perspectives on psychosis with speakers who have lived experience.  Check it out as it will provide an alternative view of how recovery can be viewed. Psychosis 2.0

Advocacy for Change

Do people call you crazy?

Community discussion

6pm Thursday June 5th

2999 Jane, Office for Green Change, back

door. Accessible door through the side.

Survivors and allies welcome.

Childcare and TTC tokens available.

Contact Christine to find out more

416.249.8000 ext 4006

christine.sinclair@bcchc.com