NAMI Family to Family Education Program

Are you interested in a 12 week educational program for families who have a loved one living with a mental health challenge? 

If so, do I have good news for you!!!

CMHA Toronto will be holding the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family to Family Program this fall! The program is taught by trained family members and is FREE OF CHARGE!!

The group will be running on Monday nights from September 22nd to December 15th from 7-9pm at CMHA's North York location (700 Lawrence Ave W. Suite 480).

CLICK HERE 

for more details on course content and how to register!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis

Is your loved one bothered by hearing voices? Would they be interested in learning more?

The Community Resource Connections of Toronto (CRCT) has a 16 week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis group starting in September!

The group is for individuals who hear voices, and are distressed by their voices.

Course Content:
*What it means when someone hears voices. How can we explain voice hearing
*The relation between stress and hearing voices, and understanding the meaning of the voices
*How to decrease the voices’ impact on your day-to-day life
*Keeping track of the voices: when are they worse, when are they better?
*Sharing and learning new strategies on how to cope – developing a tool box of strategies

When: Every Tuesday of the month for 16-weeks

Date: Tuesday, September 9th to Tuesday December 23rd, 2014

Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Where: 210 Dundas Street West, 4th Floor, Boardroom 

TTC, Refreshments & group resources will be provided.

Registration is based on eligibility. To register please contact Deqa at 416-482-4103 ext. 223 or dfarah@crct.org

Resource for Depression

This website helps with informed choices about depression including treatment, supports, a young adults journey towards recovery and much more. There is also a section on about helping a friend or family member with depression.

The Invisible Illness.

The description of "invisible illness" is something that i often hear when families speak about their loved one's Mental Health issues.  These feelings, moods, behaviours, perceptions etc. that can take over one's life, can also be hidden from plain view.  Someone close to me recently questioned whey they keep being told they don't seem "unwell enough for treatment" because they are able to have a relationship, friends, hold down a job etc., regardless of how horrible they feel.  Sometimes this makes it difficult for the person themselves to see or admit that they aren't feeling well, and it also makes it extremely difficult for surrounding friends and family to notice that that person may need support and help. 

Sandra Charron as been writing some blog posts recently about her own battle with Mental Health issues, and this most recent post has really struck a chord with me.  In the post Can We Let Go of These Mental Illness Stereotypes?, Sandra speaks about her own issues with how Mental Illness is treated by society (and that includes health professionals as well!). 
                                                       
                                                  So let's all stop saying:                                                            
                                                 

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.

PROVINCIAL BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION

Great news! There will be additional funding to expand mental health and addiction services, increased funding for the Community Homeless Prevention Initiative, and a Fair Minimum Wage legislation. Read CMHA Ontario's article  for details; and for a more detailed description read Ontario's budget.  It's exciting to see that our sector is getting the recognition and funding it deserves.

Encouraging Your Teen to Get Support with Parental Mental Illness

I came across this article in the COPMI Newsletter and thought I would share. The article is about encouraging help seeking in young people when there is parental mental illness. The article talks about what could be stopping the teen from getting support, what parents/guardians can do to encourage accessing support and resources.