BC Schizophrenia Society Newsletter:

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Inside this Issue:
- Long-time BCSS Family Volunteer Relocates
- One Day's Pay Challenge
- Mental Illness Articles in the Media
- New clinical psychiatric genetic counselling service (available BC-wide)
- Understanding Depression
- Featured BCSS Resource
Long-time BCSS Family Volunteer Relocates
Eileen Callanan and her husband Jim are moving from Terrace to Nanaimo, BC. This incredible lady is a dedicated BCSS member and tireless promoter of the Society’s mission to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support, public policy and research.
Over the years, Eileen Callanan has worked with remarkable focus, playing a major role in promoting BCSS education and support programs. Her efforts have pioneered change in the mental health system in her community.
Eileen’s history with BCSS began in 1989 when her son was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. She began by attending local support group meetings, and eventually joined the BCSS Board of Directors. As a Provincial Director, she helped bring about amendments to the Mental Health Act that made it easier for BC families to obtain treatment for their ill relatives. More recently, she wrote to the Mental Health Commission of Canada with recommendations for a national mental health strategy.
While she was active on the BCSS Board, Eileen became involved with NAMI’s Family To Family course. She has since taught the course to countless families in Terrace and surrounding area. Eileen not only teaches family members, she empowers them as advocates and supporters of other families. In her own words, "I consider each person who takes this course a pebble dropped in water, and the ripples are the education and advocacy that occur among family, friends and acquaintances." Eileen has taken on many other projects, recruiting volunteers and raising awareness about mental illness through her participation in BCSS’s Partnership education program and her local Mental Health Advisory Committee.
Even after the tragic loss of her son in 2007, Eileen continued to be fully engaged as an educator and advocate. She takes every opportunity to educate others and to advocate with policy makers who can influence change in the mental health system. She keeps abreast of new research and developments and often brings them to the attention of service providers. "Eileen remains passionate about our mission, and is a shining example of the difference that one person can make when they set a goal for themselves and actually commit to the achievement of that goal," said Dolly Hall, BCSS Northwest Manager and Regional Coordinator in Terrace. "Eileen’s husband Jim has also contributed countless hours, energy, and support to BCSS," notes Dolly. "He tends to be more involved behind the scenes, attending support groups, putting up posters for workshops and conferences, opening up the Callanan home to bille
t visiting presenters, hosting teas and dinners for other volunteers."
Jim’s fabulous hospitality is apparently legendary and unrivalled. "Terrace and area will feel a great loss at their leaving. We wish them every happiness in their new life ‘down south’ and hope Nanaimo realizes how lucky they are to have this wonderful couple in their community!" A sincere and heartfelt thank you to Eileen and Jim Callanan for their extraordinary work on behalf of our cause over the years.
One Day's Pay Challenge
One of our generous donors and long time supporters is challenging everyone to match his gift of “one day’s pay.” He chose his one day’s gross income but it is totally up to you to pick your one day’s, half day’s or couple of hours pay. We will leave that choice to you. The ultimate goal is to raise $5000.00 in 14 days. More information
Here is how it works:
Challenge Start Date: February 1, 2012
Challenge End Date: February 14, 2012
Target Goal: $5000.00
Step 1: Calculate your One Day’s Pay
Salary (Gross or Net) / 252 (no. of working days) = One Day’s Pay
Step 2: Click on this link to donate
Step 3: Share this link with your friends, family and coworkers through Facebook, Twitter and email
All money raised through this challenge will be used towards BC Schizophrenia Society’s “Greatest Need” areas.
Join the Challenge
Mental Illness Articles in the Media
Understanding mental illness: New clinical psychiatric genetic counselling service
- Do you or one of your family members have a mental illness?
- Would you like to learn more about the causes of mental illness?
- Are you concerned about potential risks for your children or other family members?
Who are genetic counsellors?
Genetic counsellors are health care professionals with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counselling.
Genetic counsellors can tell you what is currently known about the causes of mental illness, and can help you to apply this information to your own family.
Who is this service available to?
Men and women who:
- Are interested in learning more about the causes of their and/or their family member’s mental illness
- Live in British Columbia
What is involved with a genetic counselling appointment?
- We welcome self-referrals as well as referrals from physicians.
- Prior to the appointments, the genetic counsellor will phone you to do a family history. This usually takes approximately 30 minutes.
- The genetic counselling appointments are approximately an hour in length.
- The genetic counsellor will try to answer any questions that you may have about the causes of your or your family members mental illness.
Please note: We are not offering any genetic testing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: Is there a charge for this service? No. This is a free clinical service.
- Q: Do I need to be referred by my family doctor? No. We welcome self-referrals!
- Q: Where do I go for appointments? The appointments take place at the department of medical genetics at BC Women’s and Children’s hospital: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC
- Q: I live quite far from Vancouver, would I have to travel to the clinic? No. We are able to do appointments by telehealth, Skype, and by phone.
Interested in Genetic Counselling?
Contact: Dr. Jehannine Austin PhD CGC / CCGC
Genetic Counsellor
604-875-2000 ext 5943 jehannine.austin@ubc.ca
Understanding Depression
[Interview by BCSS Coordinator for Powell River and area Danita Senf with a person with depression]
In her own words:
Soon after becoming a teenager I began experimenting with drugs. I was lost. I wanted to leave this world. I did not find joy or peace within myself or anywhere else. I could not grasp reality and what I had I hated. I started to live life without fear of dying, and doing things that would hurt me or hopefully kill me.
At age 16 I had my daughter. I was at that time living with my brother and his wife. They became my family, and without them I would not be here now (which may or may not be a good thing.) My father had taken his own life when I was 12, so my mother was going through hard times.
When I was about 18 I took lots of pills and had to get my stomach pumped. That was the first of more than a dozen times I have tried to end my life. I managed to find a job, but the trouble was always there. I tried to hide my depression from everyone and appear to be what is considered "normal." It is still a battle to maintain that façade.
I have had numerous doctors tell me what is wrong with me and put me on many different anti-depressants over the years. You just get tired of the deep dark hole in which you live. Still, I managed to get married and have a son. My biggest worry was that my children would be like me. With the help of my husband I managed to do a pretty good job of hiding my depression from them when they were young. Eventually they realized why I was in the hospital so often.
My life has consisted of going back and forth between work and a variety of hospitals, during which time I have been seen by many different doctors who have addressed many different concerns by prescribing many different treatments, resulting in many different side-affects. Significant weight loss or weight gain accompanies most of the medications, and numerous shock treatments have affected my memory so that now I can’t even remember things like my daughter getting married.
Her Answers to my questions:
How has your illness affected your life?
You get angry with yourself for being depressed all the time, so you start cutting yourself to relieve the anger. But to anyone who asks, I am fine. I’m always fine. That’s what I am. It’s very tiring. You worry about how your illness affects everyone around you.
How has your illness affected your marriage?
I am still married after 28 years, but it has been very tough. My husband has gone through a lot. I never find any joy in living, and he has been with me through numerous suicide attempts. He never knows if I will be alive the next time he comes home. He has to be the strong one, because he has no one to lean on.
How has your illness affected your children’s lives?
I was a single parent until my daughter was seven. She has a fear of dying, perhaps from knowing I have tried to kill myself so many times. My son is now in medical school, and neither he nor my daughter suffers from depression. But I worry about my grandchildren, one of whom is 9 years old and already has anxiety issues.
How does the future look to you?
Very painful…so long as I’m still on this earth, very painful. I am in a deep hole that I cannot dig my way out of. I just hope I can one day see the light.
What have been your greatest frustrations?
The health care system. The doctors and nurses have been wonderful, but the system is flawed. I once waited two years to see a specialist, and when I was finally sent to Vancouver I was told they only treat residents of that city. I was then referred to a doctor in Victoria, but when I finally got an appointment with him I was told I was part of a different health authority, and should be seen by a doctor in Vancouver. I eventually saw a doctor in there, but 6 months later was offloaded onto a doctor in Comox.
What advice would you give to others who suffer from depression?
I would say keep fighting. There are always new treatments being made available.
What advice would you give to mental health professionals who treat people with depression?
Be patient, and keep trying new treatments. Be there for the patient.
What advice would you give to the families of people who suffer from depression?
Hang in there. And whatever the outcome, don’t take it personally. Seek help for yourself, so that you have someone to talk to.
Featured BCSS Resource
Family Charter of Rights
Families have a right:
- To explicit information that families do not cause mental illness.
- To basic information about diagnosis, treatment plan, options, and prognosis.
- To information about behaviour management, advice and guidance about resources in the community, and the availability of peer support.
- To education that can assist them in coping with mental illness.
- To respect from professionals for the expertise of the family, as well as the sharing of power in the therapeutic process.
- To become appropriately assertive and to overcome traditional socialization that teaches families not to question authority.
- To be involved with their family member as a support system and resource.
- To have a social ethic that is more concerned about the welfare of the person with mental illness than about cost effectiveness.
- To a mandated role on governance or advisory boards and a clear voice in mental health planning and legislation that directly affects their lives.
- To a non-adversarial legal system that is understanding of potential tragedy and helpful in attempts to prevent disaster from occurring.
¬ British Columbia Provincial Mental Health Family Advisory Council, 1996
¬Vancouver Mental Health Family Advisory Council, 2004
More information resources from BCSS, listed alphabetically
Studies looking for Participants
Programs and Services
To Donate: Click here to donate online, send a cheque payable to the BC Schizophrenia Society to 201 - 6011 Westminster Hwy, Richmond , BC V7C 4V4 or click here or the link above for more options. Read More»
Visit www.support.bcss.org to participate in our online support groups for family members and supporters. Read More»
BCSS regions and branches offer support groups for family members and supporters of persons with schizophrenia and other serious and persistent mental illnesses. For a full list click on the link above or visit: www.bcss.org/category/calendar/monthly-meetings
Read More /»
Do you have a family member with a mental illness/? Are you wondering what services are available for serious mental illness in your community and how to access them/? Need help figuring out what to do/? BCSS can help. We have staff and volunteers in locations near you who can talk to you about your options and help you get connected. For contact info, please visit the link above for a list of locations or contact BCSS at 1-888-888-0029 to be referred to the person nearest you. Read More»
This project provides assertive outreach to family members and supporters of persons with a mental illness through interconnected online tools including online support groups, e-newsletters and a calendar of events. Visit www.support.bcss.org for more.
Read More »
Partnership Education is based on a personal storytelling model. It is a unique and powerful presentation that helps people in the community to understand the nature and prevalence of chronic and severe mental illness. A Partnership presentation is a panel of three guest speakers - a person with a psychiatric diagnosis, a family member, and a mental health professional. The three guests are presented as a team and each describes their own personal experience with mental illness. For information about volunteering for or arranging for a partnership presentation in your area, please contact the BCSS staff person or volunteer near you.
Read More »
The Kids in Control Support Group Program, originally created by BCSS, gives information, education and support to children eight to thirteen years of age who have a parent with a serious mental illness. The Teens in Control program is now available for Teens. For more information visit: www.bcss.org/kidsincontrol
Read More »
Do you have a relative or friend with a serious mental illness/? Strengthening Families Together is a 10-session group for families and friends, which provides information, skill-building, and support. Offered in many locations throughout BC in spring and fall. Contact your local branch for details. www.bcss.org/strengtheningfamilies
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A Ulysses Agreement is a voluntary plan that allows a parent to plan how their children will be cared for should they relapse and be temporally unable to care for their children. Help to create these plans is available in Boston Bar, Hope, Agassiz, Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, White Rock /& Surrey from Mark Littlefield at (604) 832-0705. Outside the Fraser region, please call Mark for more information or click on the link for written information and templates. Read More»
Our online calendar at www.bcss.org/calendar contains support groups, training and events for people with a mental illness and their family and supporters. It is updated regularly and includes events and resources from all over British Columbia. Read More»
The Family Respite Program provides a modest amount of funding to families to pay for activities or services to help give family members helping their ill relative a break or rest. As families are all different, each family is helped to come up with a respite plan that works for them. Visit http://www.bcss.org/respite for more information. For service in the Fraser region contact 604 608-0477 Read More»
A fun and interactive performance that aims to educate young people about the symptoms of this brain condition and where to get help. Delivered to tens of thousands of youth each year in secondary schools across BC. More information at reachoutpsychosis.com
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BRIDGES is a course taught by consumers for consumers. BRIDGES helps people learn things that will help them in their journey to recovery. People who have taken the course find it helps them to be part of their own treatment. In the course, students learn about psychiatric diagnoses. They also learn about what mental health treatments work best. More information: www.bcss.org/bridges
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A puppet show that educates grade 4/5 students in order to give them accurate information and to dispel the myths and misunderstandings about mental illness.
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