National Suicide Prevention Week 2015

September 7th - September 13th marks National Suicide Prevention week. Jamie Tworkowski from To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) writes:

"The lie is that depression and suicide are things that we can't talk about.
It's a lie that causes people to feel alone and live alone when it comes to their pain.  The truth is that, as people, we all relate to pain.  We all struggle from time to time, we all experience sadness, and we all encounter huge questions in this life.  All of that is part of this human experience that you and I keep waking up to.

And with all of that in mind, welcome to National Suicide Prevention Week.  This week, people all across America are pushing back at the lie.  Thousands more will join them on Thursday for World Suicide Prevention Day.  Together we will say that it's important to talk about mental health and suicide.  Together we will say that it's okay to be honest and it's okay to ask for help.  Together we will say we're not alone.

Young Carers Article

The International Child and Youth Care Network released an article in their online journal for March on Young Carers. Young Carers: Children Caring for Family Members Living with an Illness or Disability, written by Andrea Harstone, Sara Bergen and Magdalena Sweetgrass can be found between pages 6-14 of the PDF. The article states "It is estimated that in Canada almost 570,000 children under the age of 12 live in households with parents who experience mood, anxiety or substance use disorders, corresponding to 12.1% of all children in this age group," and contains many of the underlying fundamental beliefs of our FAMEkids program, "Psychosocial education groups can be a useful tool to provide education and support to these young people. Lessons on stress reduction and emotional expression, as well as a place to know you are not alone and that other young people have similar experiences, can be a very useful component to ensure that young carers are supported in their role."

Making Mental Health Mobile

Starting the year off right, CMHA York region & South Simcoe branch CEO, Rebecca Shields, announced the operation of the MOBYSS. MOBYSS (pronounced mo-bies) is the provinces' first mobile health service for youth (12-25). MOBYSS is a partnership across the Simcoe & York region providing in community health care to young people in Ontario.  Check out the article here at:

http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/5242663-newsmaker-group-brings-mobile-health-unit-to-youth-in-need/

Young Adults Wellness Drop in Group

Having a sibling, parent or partner with mental health challenges often leaves young people feeling overwhelmed and alone in their experiences. We here at the Toronto office aim to explore and empower young carers in the experience with mental health.

FAME's Toronto office, housed at Sherbourne Health Centre, in partnership with jack.org, are pleased to announce the starting of our Young Adults Wellness Drop in Group. 

If you are between the ages of 18-25 seeking a safe space to share, learn and engage in discussion about mental health we welcome you!

January 19th 6pm-8pm

Sherbourne Health Centre (room 2008)

For inquiries please contact:

Dennis McDermott, FSW at (416) 324-5060 or 

dennism@fameforfamilies.com 

When is it okay to be sick?

How is mental illness different from physical illness? In many ways we have distanced the idea that challenges affecting our mental health are equitable to that which affects our bodies. Quite commonly, this reality is made apparent by the support (or lack thereof) experienced by those supporting and living with the challenges of a mental illness. Our misunderstandings can be isolating and encourage the fear and unawareness that one with mental health challenges must than experience.  In Larry M. Lake's article "Comfort Food: No one brings dinner when your daughter is an addict", we see a very real and often felt experience of a family experiencing the challenges of mental illness and isolation. 

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2013/11/families_dealing_with_mental_illness_need_support_too.single.html

Positive Dialogue for Supporting Recovery

      Speaking about the issues affecting our families can be challenging and at times leave us at a loss for words. Not knowing what to say can be confused with not caring and so we stay silent.  Like many other challenges to our loved ones, supporting an individual with an eating disorder (whether it be Anorexia, Bulimia or an EDONS) can leave us unsure of what to say. Unsure of when and what is appropriate to talk about can further the tensions we feel in the family.

In the following article, blogger Anna Rose speaks personally about suggestible phrases and templates of discussion to help ease into talking about the challenges felt by those living with an eating disorder. Though the article is specific to Eating Disorders, we can transfer these approaches to our own experience with supporting a loved one.

http://annarosemeeds.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/ten-things-to-say-to-someone-with-anorexia/

1. I love seeing your smile/your eyes light up/your sense of style/etc. Compliment something other than weight. There are so many beautiful traits that each person has. Finding a few that do not include words like “thin” should not be too difficult.
2. You are beautiful and worthy of love no matter what you weight is, was, or will be. This affirms the person and shows that weight is not what is the most important aspect of a human. There are more important qualities.
3. Would you like me to eat with you? Beware that the answer to this might be “No!” However, this simple action can mean so much. I realized that barely anyone has eaten with me at school. It is so lonely always eating alone. 
4. I have a granola bar/apple/glass of water/etc. You do not need to take it, but I would love to give it to you. Without pressuring someone into eating, you are showing how much you care about his or her well-being. Once again, the answer might be “no,” but the thought will not be forgotten.
5. It means so much that you went out to eat with us/had dessert with me/ate pizza with our friends/ect. Affirm times when your loved one eats scary food or in frightening situations. Show how that impacted others (including yourself) in a positive manner. 
6. It will be alright if you eat that cheese/trail mix/banana/cupcake. Your body knows what to do with it. Said in a compassionate manner, this can be so helpful. Be careful not to sound preachy or exasperated. Instead, just state the facts that the body knows how the process the food while sympathetically acknowledging that it is frightening.
7. How are things going lately? Do you want to talk? Simply being willing to listen without judging means so much. Hearing how someone with anorexia thinks might be painful. Actually listening without berating their eating disordered thoughts can be a huge blessing to them.
8. You are so strong. I believe that you will get through this. “Stay strong” is a common phrase said by people fighting for recovery. It might seem cliche, but it still is helpful as is your support.
9. Did that trigger you? When you say something that you realize could have been hurtful or upsetting, admit it. Instead of hoping that your friend or family member did not understand, ask the question and apologize if necessary. Everyone is triggered by different things.
10. I don’t understand that or how to help you. Tell me more. One of the most helpful things that you can do is just admit that you do not know what to do. Simply listening will teach you a great deal.

Resilience Built Over Time

This article talks about the growing evidence that resilience based interventions can improve the mental health and social well being of children and youth. They talk about the "whole community approach" to building resilience. Read on for more information.

New centre helps struggling mothers go beyond stigma of mental health!

Helping Women be better Moms !

Look what I found! Women's college Hospital announced a pilot project that supports women while parenting with mental-health issues.

Click HERE for the full article 

Resource for Using Mindfulness with Children

Here is a great article about Teaching Mindfulness to Children. I have referenced this article countless times, and utilize some of the activities with children and youth who have a family member with mental illness. I have even used this as my main resource in my previous job to design a 7 session mindfulness program for children 7 to 12. Hope you find it informative!