Upcoming fameKids groups

For children the start of the new school year marks the beginning of a new journey and the opportunity for endless possibilities. Whether its new classmates, teachers, school, or experiences...it is definitely an exciting time.

It is also an exciting time for the fameKids program, we are currently starting our fall groups in the Toronto and Peel area. Our Etobicoke group starts on September 22 at The George Hull Centre for Children and Families. We are excited to continue our partnership with the George Hull Centre in providing support to children who have a family member with a mental health issue.

In Peel, we are starting our fall fameKids group on October 18 at our Mississauga Office within the Community Door (50 Burhamthorpe Road West).

As well, the fameKids program will the held for the first time at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Jarvis Site (440 Jarvis Street) starting November 24. This is an opportunity for FAME to support families and children within the Toronto core.

The fameKids program is currently in the process of establishing partnerships within your community to support families that are affected by mental health issues. I will keep you informed of upcoming fameKids groups in the Toronto and Peel area and current developments within our program.

If you would like to register for support or fameKids groups that are starting in your area, please contact:

David Cho, fameKids coordinator (Toronto), children's outreach worker
416-207-5032 x 26 email: davidc@fameforfamilies.com

or

Safra Faroque, fameKids facilitator (Peel Region)
416-207-5032 x.25 email: safraf@fameforfamilies.com

Kids are Amazing! Let's make this the best year yet.


David Cho
fameKids coordinator, children's outreach worker

OACP Approves Sealing of Mental Health Records

Great news for people with mental health issues and their families! The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP)is adopting a new guideline which will protect the privacy of people with mental health issues when conducting a routine background check. This guideline will prevent police from releasing non-criminal mental health information.
Check out the media release provided by the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office in the following link, http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mohltc/ppao/en/default.aspx.

This demonstrates that with determination, persistence and colloboration, advocacy can lead to change which protects peoples' rights.

Mary

05 July 2011 Scarborough Social

05 July 2011 Scarborough Summer Social
F.A.M.E.‘s Scarborough Summer Social is happening on Tuesday 05 July 2011, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. near Sheppard Ave. East /Midland Ave.

The cake won't look exactly like this:

• Enjoy a free social event for families and friends of F.A.M.E.


• All family members are welcome.


• We offer a relaxing space with beverages, berries, cake & songs

Please confirm your attendance
with Paul O’Donnell at 416-913-2144
or by email at: paulo@fameforfamilies.com

Greetings!

Hello everyone,

My name is Safra Farouque and I am the new addition to the F.A.M.E family, as the Peel fameKids Facilitator. I am so excited to be a part of F.A.M.E. and look forward to working with many families. I believe that we can all learn so much from children and their families which brings a new light to understanding ourselves and our society. As a long time resident of Peel Region, I am so thrilled to serve the community which I call my home.
I would like to thank all the staff at F.A.M.E for all their support to date and I already feel at home.

With warm regards,

Safra

It's been a bit of a news worthy week with respect to mental health and our communities, although it is long overdue. I would encourage you to take a few minutes out and check out a couple of news columns that were released this week.

The first is from the National Post and it speaks to the problems of putting people, who have mental health issues, in to the prison system and there being literally no access to support or treatment.

The other article appeared in the Toronto Star and it is about the TTC's efforts to address the issue of subways being used as suicide hot spots. This has been a problem for the TTC for many years and I would suspect has been on the increase since in the installation of the suicide veil along the Bloor St. viaduct. Check it out at

Respectfully,
Christine

South Etobicoke Community Mental Health Meeting

FAME is part of SEMHAP(South Etobicoke Mental Health and Addiction Planning Group)and this committee is involved in trying to improve mental health services in South Etobicoke.

The closure of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital in 1979 and the more recent closure of an outpatient clinic run by CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), marked the end of 120 years of specialized mental health services on the Lakeshore.

SEMHAP is inviting the local community to a forum to discuss and provide feedback on a proposal to improve mental health services in this area. I encourage you to join us in advocating for easily accessible services to be provided in the community.

The meeting will be held on MONDAY MAY 16, 2011. There will be 2 meetings:
1st meeting will run from 3-5pm and 2nd meeting will run from 7-9pm.

Location: ST. DEMETRIUS UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
3338 Lakeshore Boulevard West
(www.stdemetriusuoc.ca)
Lakeshore and 27th St.

RSVP: Deb Quiggin at 416-251-8666
Among Friends Program
LAMP Community Health Centre

Hope to see you there!
Mary

North York Mental Health Fair on Friday May 6

In recognition of Mental Health Week (May 1-7) and celebrating its' 60th Anniversary, FAME is involved with other mental health agencies in organizing a mental health fair. The event is called "Celebrating Wellness Together: Embracing Health Minds in Our Community". Mental health agencies that provide services in North York will have information booths; and there will be games, speakers on mental health, entertainment (drumming sessions, a women's seniors dance group), plus meditation and yoga sessions. We'll also have some refreshments and food!

Please come and check it out on Friday May 6 from 11:30am to 4:00pm at Yorkgate Mall
near Jane/Finch intersection.
Mary