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Health Professional Family Mental Health ResourcesWelcome to this 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 in collaborating with family members and supporters in the care of their loved one with a mental illness. A companion enewsletter is also available for family members. In this newsletter:
Ongoing Family Resources & Referral InformationReaching Families Project (BC Schizophrenia Society/ HeretoHelp)
**If your agency provides support or information events or groups to relatives/supporters of persons with a mental illness in BC, please send in your information for posting on this calendar to onlinesupport@bcss.org Kelty Resource Centre BC Schizophrenia Society The FORCE For Kids Mental Health Here To Help Website If this e-resource has been forwarded to you by a friend, you can sign up for your own copy here Featured Resources1) Affilliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC ResourceThe spring magazine of AMSSA is focussed on Promoting Mental Health in Immigrants and Refugees Some items from the contents:
2) Family Resource Popular BasicsHere are some popular resources for BC family members of persons with a mental illness. Family Toolkit (How You Can Help: A Toolkit For Families) : This 2004 resource is in the process of being updated but still has some very relevant information, including the following self-care topics in section 4 “Caring for yourself and other family members”:
The entire toolkit is available as printable pdfs or an interactive web version. Guide to the BC Mental Health Act: This document explains how the BC Mental Health Act works. According to the foreword: ” The Guide has two purposes: making the Act more understandable; and promoting consistency in interpreting the Act so people who need involuntary psychiatric treatment receive help in a responsible and lawful manner.” Releasing information to third parties – This official fact sheet from the information and privacy branch of the ministry of health provides guidelines for releasing clients’ information to third parties such as family or friends of the client or health care providers. Spouse’s Handbook - a handbook written for spouses of persons with schizophrenia, but many parts are applicable to other mental illnesses Recovery Cup Board Game – interactive, cooperative board game that teachers self-care strategies for a person with psychosis and their family members. Link above includes full instructions and downloadable printable game board and cards. Designed to facilitate family discussion and understanding about genetic and environmental vulnerability to psychosis and self care strategies for all family members. 3) Coroners Inquest Results – Ross Allan – 43 Recommendations MadeRoss Allan was a 22 year old man with schizophrenia who committed suicide in an Abbotsford hospital. The June 10 2009 results of a coroners inquest into the death made 43 recommendations including the following: “1. That specific training and/or refresher courses be provided to physicians with respect to the legal test for committal under section 22 of the Mental Health Act” – to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC “2. That physicians are reminded of the importance of obtaining collateral information from family and caregivers in the assessment process of patients being certified under Section 22 of the MHA.” – to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC “9. That the Mental Health Act be revised to allow at the Psychiatrist’s discretion, family members access to information, diagnosis, and inclusion in the treatment plan.” – to the Minister of Health “36. That due to overwhelming substance-abuse issues throughout the province and the resulting increase in substance-induced psychosis, all hospitals provide mental health facilities sufficient to support their catchment area.” – to Minister of Health and Fraser Health Authority The following are excerpts from an open letter from Ross’s parents: “We are very relieved and happy that a record 43 jury recommendations were made as a result of testimony from about 2 dozen witnesses.” “For the first time in six years, we felt that we had been fully listened to. It was very important for us that an independent jury of five listened carefully considering all the testimony and submitted evidence and then rendering many unbiased, independent recommendations in their own words. And we think they did a magnificent job.” “In summary, our questions have been answered and we now feel there has been justice for Ross. Also some verification of what we have been saying for the past 5 years about the many cracks and flaws in the medical system. We believe these recommendations should be a wake up call to medical professionals about certain mental illness issues and the way that they treat patients and deal with close family members. Thank you to those who support our fight to change the way things are done in regards to those who suffer from mental illness.” You can view a copy of the recommendations at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/schedule/docs/verdict-allan-2009-jun-10.pdf A background article is available at: http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/47960267.html |
UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS For more events, please visit the family calendar www.familyevents.bcss.org. View events sorted by location.
For more events, please visit the family calendar |
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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