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.

Stigma and Youth

Stigma about Mental Illness is all around us, and it is especially prominent in youth, and young males in particular.  Anytime I come across a member of the youth community sharing their story or advocating for others, and am overcome with hope for the future.  Please take a look at this article and video about a youth mental health advocate in Kelowna, BC.

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.

OCD by Neil Hilborn

A while ago, I came across this video on my daily internet scavenger hunt for Mental Health related goodies.  Neil Hiborn is a spoken word artist living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and i guarantee this poem will pull at your heartstrings.  It is really something to see someone expressing themselves with such beauty and power.
Hats off to you, Neil!

Mississauga Family Support Group

I hope everyone will be able to join myself and other family members at the Mississauga February Family Support Group on Monday, February 27th, 2012 from 7-9pm.  Our meetings are usually the third Monday of every month, although in February that falls on Family Day!  So please come out the following Monday to share, meet new people, and self care with us. 
I hope everyone will use their day off on Family day to spend some quality time with those that you love (and that includes yourself!).

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and if there are any questions regarding the group, please feel free to contact me at 905-276-8216.

Hope to see everyone there!

Stephanie

The Best Way to Deal with a Disability

Hi,
Just a quick sharing. I was listening to a fellow speak on a radio program regarding disabilities. He said something that I found rather provocative but also profound. He said the best way to deal with a disability is to embrace it. This was not a flippant remark but rather his believe that in order to work towards recovery one must accept their condition and do everything possible to strive towards maintaining a healthy and productive life and the beginning of this process was to accept or embrace the disability/illness.
All the best,
Frank

*****UPCOMING EVENTS*****

TAKING BACK YOUR LIFE:

THE SUCCESS OF RECOVERY

FREE PANEL SPEAKER EVENT-APRIL 27, 2010 FROM 6:30-9PM

LOCATION: 1WORLD DRIVE (WORLD VISION BUILDING), Mississauga L5T 2Y4(Hurontario / 401)

FAME IS PLEASE TO PRESENT:

Peter Andruski, Family Member
Kim Van Maren, Consumer Survivor
ACCESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SYSTEMS: Christina Jabalee, Early Intervention Community Worker, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, Phoenix Program

Please RSVP to this free event by contacting Frank Logue at
905-488-7716 or frankl@fameforfamilies.com by Monday, April 19
R.S.V.P.

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The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario Halton/Peel Region

The SSO’s Halton Peel Region’s annual Walk of Hope is calling upon our community to come together and join our walk as a team.
We are looking for friends and family teams, agency/organization teams, hospital teams, business teams…any kind of team!

We will announce two teams as winners. The team that raises the most money will win a Mental Wellness catered lunch by the Halton/Peel Region staff.
We will also be announcing the Spirit Award, selected by the participants at the walk, for the team that brought the most spirit to the Walk of Hope day.


Sign up and/or donate on line at http://www.walkofhope.ca/ and start creating your team today!

Contact the Halton/Peel Region with any questions or ideas! 905-338-2112.