TALK TODAY

CMHA Ontario and the OHL have partnered to increase awareness about suicide and to promote the mental health of young athletes.  TALK TODAY  is a program with several components which involve teaching hockey staff and athletes about mental health and how to support someone.  It is great to see that learning about mental health is becoming part of our societal institutions.

New CMHA Peel Peer Support Groups

The Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Branch has started up two new Peer Support Groups!

K.A.L.M
(Keeping Anxiety Levels Manageable)

This group is for anyone who is looking to understand more about various anxiety related concerns in a supportive environment, and to explore coping options.
Join them every Thursday from 4:30pm - 5:30pm

To learn more, please contact: 

MARTIN (905) 451-3934 EX 341 ~ walkerm@cmhapeel.ca

VENUSIA (905) 451-3934 EX 612 ~ brazilv@cmhapeel.ca

VOICES HEARING GROUP
This is a supportive group for anyone who is hearing voices, and would like to discuss openly with others who share this experience.  This is a great opportunity to talk freely about your experience with hearing voices and to learning positive coping strategies.
Join them every Tuesday from 3:30pm - 4:30 pm

To learn more, please contact: 

ROBERT CARUSO: 905-454-3934 EXT 348 ~carusor@cmhapeel.ca

 VENUSIA BRAZIL: 905-454-3934 EXT 612 ~ brazilv@cmhapeel.ca

These groups will be held at the CMHA Peel office at :  7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 601 (Eden Place and Partnership Place)

Reduce the Stress of Coping with a Loved One's Mental Health Issue

I am very excited to announce that FAME has partnered with VHA Home Healthcare and they are sponsoring us in doing what they call a 'Ring and Reach Seminar'. The seminar is free and can be accessed either by phone or online. To find out more about seminar's VHA sponsors, check out the VHA Home Healthcare website.

Reduce the Stress of Coping with a Loved 
One's Mental Health Issue

When: Monday November 3rd 2014 from 7:00pm-8:30pm

Who: Christine Cooper, Executive Director & 
Megan Cramer, Family Support Worker @ FAME
Learn about: setting boundaries, coping strategies, self care and gain resources 

If you are a family member or caregiver to someone who has a mental health challenge and have questions, you are NOT alone! This seminar will offer you the opportunity to get the information and support you need without leaving the comfort of your home.

Register online or by phone at 1-866-396-2433. This seminar is FREE by space is limited. For more information you are welcome to contact Malak Sidky at 416-459-0266 or msidky@rogers.com.

CONSUMER SURVIVOR BULLETIN

The CONSUMER/SURVIVOR INFORMATION  RESOURCE CENTRE OF TORONTO provides several services such as information and referral to mental health services, information workshops, and produces a bi-weekly newsletter:   THE BULLETIN.  This newsletter has information on educational events, updates on current mental health policies, and free social activities that are available in Toronto. I find it a great resource and enjoy reading it!

CAMH CREATIVE ON QUEEN

A fun event to enjoy and celebrate the art of people with mental health challenges will be held at CAMH's  CREATIVE ON QUEEN.  There will be a bbq, live music and an opportunity to purchase unique creations. It will be held on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM AT 1001 QUEEN ST. WEST (CAMH LAWN AT QUEEN AND LOWER OSSINGTON).

Hi, I'm Karen! I am the current student intern here at FAME and am very excited for all of the work that I have the opportunity to be involved in here until April. As my first blog post, I thought I would share what I have been up to!

Tuesday marked the first session of the CAMH Strengthening Families for the Future program offered through The Jean Tweed Centre, and it was wonderful!

            SFF is a 14-week family program for children ages 7-12 and their parent(s). This program is designed for families where one or more members have a mental health and/or addiction issue.  The program helps with parenting skills, effective communication, and improving the family dynamic.

Meeting once a week for 3 hours, the program is broken down into four sections.  During the first hour, participants and staff all sit down for dinner together where we share stories, bond, and provide encouragement. Following dinner, the children and parents part into separate rooms where programming takes place: teaching skills for positive communication, relationship building, and appropriate methods for sharing feelings.  Finally, during the third hour, everyone comes together for a family group session where the skills from the previous weeks are reviewed and discussed (example: what worked well with implementation in the home, and what did not), and skills introduced that day can be actively practiced by all members, with any struggles being worked through as a whole family.

            I am excited for the next 13 weeks to witness both individual and familial growth, and to also grow in my own learning experiences.

            I find it important to highlight this new affiliation with The Jean Tweed Centre, as building the bond and cohesion within the community through positive relationships creates a much-needed sense of continuity. Developing partnerships and a true collaboration in the community (schools, families, agencies, hospitals, etc.) aids in the support that we can provide to our clients, and meeting their needs.

Right By You Campaign

BRINGING CANADIANS TOGETHER TO BETTER SUPPORT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH 

I am taking action in support of the RIGHT BY YOU CAMPAIGN and spreading the word in order to generate awareness and change the way we talk about, and support, youth mental health. 

This campaign was created by Partners for Mental Health to improve mental health and prevent suicide among youth, by mobilizing and engaging Canadians to help drive fundamental changes that would result in:

• increased awareness and attention to youth mental health
• understanding, acceptance and support for young people living with a mental health concern
• increased access to, and funding for, youth mental health services, treatment and support. 

They are specifically calling on the federal government to invest in a newly created National Youth Suicide Prevention fund to support a community based approach to youth suicide prevention.

I highly recommend checking out the above link to their website. You can learn more about the campaign, download a guide for parents which is easy to read and incredibly informative, you can learn how YOU can take action, share your story and find help. 

If you or someone you know is ever in crisis and needs help immediately call 911 or visit your local emergency department. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255