Recovery & Mental Health

The best way to understand mental wellness is to view it as a continuum. Our positions may shift from time to time depending on the events of our lives. Seeing mental health as a continuum means that we are not always stuck in one state and we are able to move back and forth. It’s important to understand that we all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. The quality of our mental and physical health fluctuates. Factors such as stress, lack of sleep and traumatic experiences can impact our mental health as can the level and quality of support that one has in times of stress. Just as we need to do things to maintain good physical health, it helps to do certain things to maintain good mental health, such as manage our stress, seek counseling and support when overwhelmed, or take care of our bodies through proper sleep, diet and nutrition.

Recovery Story

I get asked a lot to share recovery stories that I've heard from people.  These stories can help to inspire hope, create normalcy for mental illness, and give people a voice who feel like they might not have one (or feel like people don't want to listen).  Here's a video from someone who wants to share his own experience with mental illness. 
This video contains a conversation about suicide.

NEW Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group - Mississauga

I'm thrilled to let everyone know there will be a new Support Group running out of the Mississauga Office starting in November 2015!   If you are a caregiver of a loved one struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder, please come by to our new group.  This is a safe and non-judgmental space for caregivers to share, listen, and become educated on how to care for themselves and their loved one. It will be an open and supportive conversation, with lots of information about resources and education available!  The Group will run every third Thursday of the month from 7-9 pm.

Thursday November 19th, 2015

7pm - 9pm

50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 300

Mississauga Community Door

Please contact Stephanie Kerr either by phone or email if you have any questions or concerns:

Phone: 905-276-8316

Email: Stephaniek@fameforfamilies.com

Talk soon!

Tips for coping with a loved one who is experiencing mental health issues

Supporting a family member who is unwell can be very troubling to the whole entire family. It is important that while taking care of your loved one that you continue to take care of yourself.

Taking care of yourself during the Holidays

The Holidays are filled with many different emotions; both positive and negative.  I've asked some of the Families I see how the upcoming Holiday Season makes them feel.  Here is some of what i heard:  Hopeful, Supported, Nervous, Overwhelmed, Worried, Excited, Isolated, Grieving, Numb, Stressed out.  There are are many other feelings and thoughts that were shared, but these were repeated quite often.

Feeling Stressed Out was by far the most common thing I heard.   Families were even telling me they were feeling a lot of the stress even if most of the other feelings they had were positive at this time.  It really reminded me that the ides of stress is usually surrounded by  negative thoughts, but positive things can also be very stressful (planning a party, seeing a lot of relatives, making a big family dinner etc).  It's really important throughout this time to check in with yourself so you can be aware of how you're feeling.  What is your stress level?  What are you doing to take care of yourself?

Here are some helpful tips from the Mayo Clinic to help you take care of yourself throughout this busy season:

1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.
Try these alternatives:
• Donate to a charity in someone's name.
• Give homemade gifts.
• Start a family gift exchange.
6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.
   Try these suggestions:
   • Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
   • Get plenty of sleep.
   • Incorporate regular physical activity into each day.
9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
   Some options may include:
   • Taking a walk at night and stargazing.
   • Listening to soothing music.
   • Getting a massage.
   • Reading a book.
10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional

A Family's Perspective

Home on the Hill presents a Speaker Series event on
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH/2014
at ST. MARY'S ANGLICAN CHURCH in RICHMOND HILL @ 7:00pm.

From a family's perspective, Ana Long will discuss her challenges and successes in providing care to her son, who is a person living with schizophrenia.

" My youngest son has schizophrenia with concurrent disorders. This illness has greatly impacted the quality of life for my son as well as for me and my family. This is a journey that has forced us into an array of eye-opening experiences, some horrendous and heart-wrenching, some giving room for hope. Becoming educated in the matters of schizophrenia and related issues has been key to our daily survival, but the greatest source of hope lies in the empathetic non-judgmental professional and personal contacts which support us through our very many challenges." 

Ana will be introduced by Marvin Ross, a publisher specializing in books on serious mental illness and a regular blogger for both Huffington Post and his own blog 'Mind You'. He was the recipient of the Hall of Fame Award in 2013 from FAME for recognition of his contribution to the public's understanding of mental illness, and his untiring advocacy around mental health issues. 

This is a FREE seminar. 

Parking accessed through McLatchy Lane north off Major Mackenzie, just west of Yonge. 

For more information contact kathleen.mochnacki@gmail.com. 

Feel Good Friday

Is it Christmas?

Today, I wanted to share a feel good moment with you.The New FAME Toronto Office will be running an 8 week Meditative Self-Care Yoga program in Partnership with Family Outreach and Response(details to follow)

I had engaged every outreach opportunity available- short of sending carrier pigeons, when Chobra Yoga Centre came to the rescue.

 What is in these 3 massive boxes you may ask?

 50 FREE YOGA MATS!!!

Due to Vivian Wong and Chobras generosity, now all clients can do their breathing exercises in comfort.
Happy Friday!

Moving Forward

In this world, it's much more common to see negative stories written about mental health than positive ones.  I believe it's important to share as many positive and hopeful stories as we can, so that we can start to erase the stigma that's out there.  Remember that the stigma associated with Mental Illness affects everyone involved, so we all have to work together!

Here's an article written by a young woman named Cooper Mall.  She shares the story of her struggle with Bipolar Disorder, and the path she made for herself that came out of it.  I wont' say anymore about it, so you better just read the article yourselves!  Just know that there are lots of hopeful and positive stories  out there; we just have to keep sharing them with anyone who will listen.

Music Video for Kids Who Have a Parent with Mental Illness

This music video has great messages for children including letting them know they are not alone in their experience and it is not their fault. Often times children realize for the first time when they come to the FAMEkids group that there are other children in similar situations. This video has a lot of other positive messages like the importance of kids being kids, and living life to the fullest. Have a listen and consider sharing with others!