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October 2008 Professional Family Mental Health ResourcesWelcome to the October issue of professional resources, produced by the BC Schizophrenia Society, in partnership with the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. We hope this newsletter provides you with helpful information to assist you collaborating with family members / supporters in the care of their loved one with a mental illness. A companion enewsletter is also available for family members. Ongoing Family Resources
If this e-resource has been forwarded to you by a friend, you can sign up for your own copy Featured Resources:
Send in your family support eventsDoes your organization provide orientation meetings for families that provide an introduction to the mental health system or general illness information to family members? Does your organization offer a support group or other resource for family members within BC? Please send in an announcement to the Reaching Families Project at onlinesupport@bcss.org or use the online form. Submissions should include city, sponsoring organization, details, dates and times along with public contact info. Event information is syndicated and displayed on several organizations websites (BC Schizophrenia Society, Kelty Resource Centre, BC Partners for Mental Health Addictions Information) and in several formats, so posting your information with the Family Calendar will help you reach out to more family members in your community. October is Health Literacy MonthThe prevalence of mental illness is high and the incidence is expected to increase. It is known that many individuals with mental illness are not seeking appropriate treatment due to a lack of knowledge regarding symptoms, available resources and inadequate information on where to seek help. In addition, the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness and addiction have contributed to poor management of these health issues. Research has demonstrated that mental health promotion and prevention interventions and policies can have a positive impact on mental health itself, as well as on the emotional and economic toll these diseases have on patients, their families, caregivers and society at large. The need for improved public education and dissemination of information on mental health and addiction in BC, including addressing issues of health literacy has been established. Health Literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. In the context of mental health, it is the knowledge and beliefs which assist in the recognition, management or prevention of mental health or substance use issues or disorders. It includes the ability to recognize specific issues or disorders; knowing how to seek mental health and addictions information; knowledge of risk factors and causes, self-management and professional help available; and attitudes that promote recognition and appropriate help seeking. BC Mental Health and Addiction Services in collaboration with the Regional Health Authorities, Provincial Ministries and the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information has developed a provincial health literacy strategy and this fall, in partnership with a number of other PHSA agencies and corporate service units and the Vancouver Coastal Health Population Health Unit is promoting a series of activities to increase awareness about health literacy for staff and the community. Our goal is to raise awareness about the link between health literacy as a determinant of health and health outcomes. Please consider attending any or all of the following events: Canadian Patient Safety Week: September 29 - October 4, 2008
Mental Illness Awareness Week: October 5 - 11, 2008
For more information on Health Literacy Month or any of the events, please contact either Dr. Connie Coniglio, Director, Health Literacy, BC Mental Health and Addictions Services cconiglio@bcmhs.bc.ca or Mr. Paul Anderson, Director, Learning and Development. Strengthening Families Together Courses StartStrengthening Families Together is a 10-session group offered free of charge in locations throughout BC for families and friends, which provides information, skill-building, and support. This 10-session national education program for family members and friends of individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses aims to increase accessibility to Canadian-based information on the topics associated with living daily with a mental illness. Strengthening Families Together is about more than education: it is about strengthening family members and friends of individuals with a serious mental illness by providing support, awareness, and tools. Support - Families have an opportunity to discuss the daily challenges they face and learn how to connect with others through membership in their local provincial society and chapter/branch. Awareness - Families get reliable and consistent information about mental illness, treatment options, causes, research, and available mental health services, in the hopes of diminishing the stigma attached to diagnosis. Tools - Families are equipped with problem solving, coping, and advocacy and communication skills, and the know-how to develop their own local support group. Click here for a program Outline Finding a local Strengthening Families course.Below are some upcoming or ongoing courses in the calendar at time of writing. However, many regions keep a waiting list for this course and offer it when enough people are registered. Interested family members are encouraged to phone or email their local BC Schizophrenia Society contact person (click on the link for a list by region) Courses are typically offered in Spring and Fall.
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Welcome to the Reaching Families Project e-resource Newsletter. This newsletter gives regular updates on services, programs and information available to family members and supporters of persons with a mental illness. If you have any suggestions or feedback on what you'd like this newsletter to contain please contact the coordinator at onlinesupport@bcss.org This newsletter is produced by the BC Schizophrenia Society in partnership with BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
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