Welcome to this issue of family and supporter resources. We hope this newsletter will help you be aware of the latest in good resources and supports for you and your relatives in BC.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel welcome to contact us by reply to this email. This resource is developed by the BC Schizophrenia Society. Funding for this project was provided by BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, an agency of PHSA.

In this issue:

Ongoing BC-Wide Family Resources | Mental Illness Awareness Week | FRIENDS Childhood Anxiety Prevention Program | Punjabi Language Resources | Research Studies/Programs looking for Participants

Ongoing BC-Wide Family Resources

• Reaching Families Calendar – support and education events.
• Family Support Groups – relatives & friends of persons with a mental illness
• Online Facilitated Family Support Groups – relatives & friends of persons with a mental illness
• BC Schizophrenia Society – family info/services
• Kelty Resource Centre – child/youth mental health
• The FORCE For Kids Mental Health – kids mental health
• Here to Help – mental health and substance use information

If this e-resource has been forwarded to you by a friend, you can sign up for your own copy

October 4-10 is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. Watch for local events (including some in the right hand side of this newsletter). To learn more about MIAW, please visit their site at: http://www.miaw.ca

FRIENDS Childhood Anxiety Prevention Program

The world’s leading school-based anxiety prevention program, FRIENDS for Life helps children and teenagers cope with feelings of fear, worry, and depression by building resilience and self-esteem and teaching cognitive and emotional skills in a simple, well-structured format. Used in schools and clinics throughout the world, FRIENDS is the only childhood anxiety prevention program acknowledged by the World Health Organization for its 10 years of comprehensive evaluation and practice. It has proved effective for up to 6 years after initial exposure. For more information on the program and to see if it is being offered in your school district go to FRIENDS Info. To find out about FRIENDS parent training go to Parent Training

Punjabi Language Resources

The Mood Disorders Association of BC has a number of resources available in the Punjabi language, development in partnership with Punjabi community organizations. Please click on the following link for more: Mental Health Resources in Punjabi

Research Studies/Projects looking for Participants

Free psychological Treatment Program for Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder
Do you feel unusually anxious in social situations? Do you worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself in front of others? Are you overly concerned that others may think badly of you? If so, you may be experiencing social anxiety.

Social anxiety is characterized by a fear of social and/or performance situations, in which individuals are concerned that they may do something to embarrass or humiliate themselves, or that they will be negatively evaluated by others. Most people will experience social anxiety at some point in their lives. For some people, however, these fears are so intense and persistent that they result in significant distress and interference. These individuals may meet the diagnostic criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).

Although this distress can be associated with a specific situation, such as having to give a formal speech, individuals with Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder fear a wide range of social situations. These situations can include having to initiate or maintain a conversation, speaking in meetings or in classes, or going to a party. These fears can lead to considerable impairment in daily routine, social activities, relationships, and occupational or academic functioning.

Researchers in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) are offering a free psychological treatment program, as part of a research study, for individuals suffering from Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder. The program is based on a cognitive-behavioural approach to treatment.

Treatment is offered in a group format, consisting of 14 sessions over a 4 ½-month period. Interested individuals will be asked to complete a brief phone interview and comprehensive in-person assessment in order to determine participant eligibility for the program. Information obtained during the assessment and treatment will also be used for research purposes to help further our understanding of social anxiety.

This program is suitable for individuals between 20 and 55 years of age, who are fluent in English, and who have a primary diagnosis of Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder. Interested individuals may contact the UBC Interpersonal Lab for more information about the program at 604-822-5047 or sadstudy@psych.ubc.ca.

Bipolar Moms and Their Children
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital are conducting a study to look at cognitive development (thinking processes and memory) and mood of children of mothers with a diagnosis of bipolar depression. Drs. Jane Garland, Allan Young, Adele Diamond and Karine Macritchie, are studying emotional and cognitive development in children who are at risk of developing a mood disorder. We are looking for mothers who have Bipolar I disorder and their children to participate. More detailed information about this study is available at the MDA website.

An Evaluation of Treatments to Prevent Depressive Relapse
Study Description: Major Depressive Disorder is a chronic, lifelong illness with a high rate of recurrence. This recurrence leads to a reduction in an individual’s quality of life.We will compare MBCT to Cognitive Therapy (CT) and a Waitlist or Treatment as Usual (TAU) group, to understand if it is specifically mindfulness that is responsible for changes or group therapy in general.

Eligibility Criteria: Recurrent Clinical Depression. Adult (Age 18-65). Not currently depressed.
Time Commitment: Total time commitment: 1 Pre- Assessment: 2.5 hours. 8-weeks therapy: 2 hours/week for 8 weeks. Mid-point assessment: 30 minutes. Post-Assessment: 1.5 hours. Follow-up: 5 min/month for 12 months.
Compensation: Yes – Therapy (value $300) will be provided to paricipants at no charge.
Location of Research: Vancouver, BC

Risks & Benefits: No risks. Benefits may include the reduction of the occurance of depressive relapse
Contact Details:
Name: Amanda Yu
Institutional / Department Affiliation: BC Mental Health and Addiction Services
Phone: 604-707-6379
Fax: 604-707-6399
Email: ayu4@bcmhs.bc.ca
Date Posted: September 15, 2009
Recruitment End Date: December 31, 2009

BCCPD Looking for People Living With HIV/AIDS and Mental Illness
The BC Coalition of People With Disabilities is creating its first Health Education, Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) project, and is looking for people living with HIV/AIDS and mental illness. The project, a series of five HEAL guides for people living with HIV/AIDS, will include the experiences and knowledge from people living with HIV/AIDS and depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse/harm reduction, stigma or episodic disability. Participation is confidential and you may use a pseudonym. For more information, contact Shelley at the BCCPD at 604-875-0188 or wdi@bccpd.bc.ca, or visit www.bccpd.bc.ca.

Management strategies for bipolar disorder
Dr. Erin Michalak from the University of British Columbia is conducting a ‘qualitative’ study (using interviews or focus groups) of the strategies people with BD type I or II use to manage their disorder. She and her research team are looking for people with bipolar disorder I or II who feel they require ongoing support and services.
* Eligibility Criteria: If you are aged 19-65, have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and feel you require ongoing support and services
* Time Commitment: 1.5 hours interview or focus group, 1 hour mood assessment, and self-administered questionnaires
* Compensation: We will provide an honorarium of $50 to cover transportation costs
* Location of Research: University of British Columbia
* Risks & Benefits: No risks
* Contact Details:
Annie Kuan
Institutional / Department Affiliation: UBC, Psychiatry
Phone: 604-822-7247
Fax:604-822-7922
Email: anniek@interchange.ubc.ca

AnxietyBC – Free Psychological Treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
The UBC Department of Psychiatry is offering free psychological treatment to people who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This treatment is part of a controlled study currently being conducted at UBC. For more information go to PTSD Program at UBC

AnxietyBC – OCD Study at UBC
The UBC Department of Psychiatry is currently seeking individuals with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to participate in a study focused on identifying the cognitive underpinnings of OCD. See Cognitive Contributions to OCD

Genetic counseling study:
We are investigating the potential benefits to someone with a mental illness of receiving more information about the causes of their illness through a process called genetic counselling. We are interested in hearing the thoughts and opinions of people with mental illness about the genetic counselling process, including input on how it could better meet their needs.

Both men and women with a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder are being recruited to participate in the study. The study involves one or two meetings with a researcher and completing questionnaires at home. The meetings with the researcher will take place at Children and Womens Hospital. Reimbursement for travel expenses will be provided.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Andrea Ringrose at 604 875 2000 x.4733, or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca PLEASE NOTE: WE ALSO HAVE AN IDENTICAL, PARALLEL STUDY IN WHICH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PERSONALLY AFFECTED CAN PARTICIPATE – IT IS OPEN TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN AFFECTED BROTHER, SISTER, PARENT OR CHILD.

Stigma study: Family members of people with mental illness
Stigma can have serious negative effects on people with mental illness and their family members.

We are developing a questionnaire to assess internalized stigma in first-degree family members (parents, brothers, sisters, and children) of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.

The questionnaire will gather information about stigma in family members of people with mental illness and aim to improve coping and the overall well being of the family network.

If you have a first-degree family member with mental illness and would like more information about participating please contact Emily Morris at mental.illness@ubc.ca or by phone 604 875 2000 (ext. 4733). Please note, you CAN participate if you have a mental illness yourself, as long as you also have an affected first degree family member too .

Mental health and pregnancy study:
We are also conducting a research study that aims to understand why some women develop postpartum depression or psychosis and others do not. The research is designed to test the idea that a genetic variation together with folate levels in a woman’s blood can influence her risk for postpartum depression. The aim of the research is to find ways to help to reduce womens risk for postpartum depression by using nutritional supplements. Women who are pregnant (at any stage of pregnancy) and who have a history of mental health problems are being recruited to participate in the study. The study involves a participant meeting with a researcher 4 times: once during the pregnancy, and 3 times over the first 3 months of the postpartum period. The researchers can cover costs of travel for women to participate in the research at either St. Paul’s \ or Children’s and Women’s Hospitals. Alternatively, study visits can

be conducted at participants’ homes or by email/phone. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jennifer Sloan at: 604 875 2000 X4733 or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR TREATING FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS
Studies have already demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy to alleviate psychotic symptoms.

Dr. Tania Lecomte, in association with the department of psychiatry at UBC, and along with the mental health team in the Fraser Health region, including Dr. William MacEwan, M.D. from the Schizophrenia Research Division and the EPI Program, Fraser Health Authority, is conducting a study to investigate the specific effects of this approach on young adults between the ages of 19 and 35 who are experiencing symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions (i.e., psychotic symptoms). The project will also examine the impact of providing information sessions to family and friends about managing stress involved with a first episode of experiencing these types of symptoms.

If you :

• are aged between 19 and 35;
• suffer or have suffered from time to time from symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions (i.e., psychotic symptoms);
• have had those symptoms for two years or less;
• would like to meet other young people like you, sharing similar problems;
• would like to learn coping techniques and ways to lessen your symptoms in order to avoid future relapses.

We invite you to participate in our research project

Your participation in this project will include attending group therapy sessions. There will be 24 meetings (2 meetings per week for 3 months). There are also 3 individual evaluation meetings in which you will answer questionnaires and be interviewed about specific impacts of the therapy on your well being. These evaluation sessions will be held once before starting the groups, one 3 months later, and a final one 6 months after that.

1 or 2 family and/or friends are also invited to participate. They will be following their own specific group sessions at the same time as yours. They are also asked to complete 3 short evaluation meetings, following the same time schedule as yours.

If you are interested in this project, we invite you to contact us for more detailed information. You can leave your phone number so we can reach you, or call us at the following number:

Caroline Greaves, Research Coordinator, UBC

Ph: 604-875-4111, Ext. 61728 or Cell: 778-908-5194

fMRI Study of Psychosis

• Study Description: Researchers at UBC are interested in developing a better understanding of the brain systems associated with the symptoms of psychosis. Specifically, this study seeks to better understand what is happening in one’s brain when they are experiencing the symptoms of psychosis by using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology to view the brain function of individuals with and without psychosis while hearing and seeing words.
• Eligibility Criteria: If you are between the ages of 19 to 55, fluent in English, with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, bipolar disorder OR without a history of a mental illness and are interested in contributing to brain research using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to scan your brain, we invite you to participate in our study!
• Time Commitment: A total of 8-12 hours over 2 or more days.
• Location of Research: University of British Columbia, Department of Psychiatry
• Contact Details:

o Name: Sarah Flann

o Institutional / Department Affiliation: UBC Department of Psychiatry and BCMHAS Department of Research

o Phone: 604-524-7672

o Fax: 604-524-7141

o Email: brainstudy@gmail.com

o Website: http://www3.telus.net/Todd_S_Woodward