Vancouver Richmond BCSS

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:48:00 GMT

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:56:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Happy Spring Everyone! The days are getting longer and slowly it's starting to warm up and the sun is trying to shine! I hope this finds you well and getting the support and encouragement you need to get the most out of your life. There are some exciting events coming up to which I want to draw your attention. First, I would like to mention some date changes for the monthly support group BCSS runs in Vancouver at the Raven Song Community Health Centre, 2450 Ontario Street. It runs on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. BUT wouldn't you know, there are a couple of stats coming up in April and May, and I've had to change the dates. The new dates for those two months only are: Monday, April 18th (in lieu of April 25th- a statutory holiday) Monday, May 30th (in lieu of May 23rd- a statutory holiday) After that it will be the fourth Monday of each month until we get to December! The Vancouver support group is meant for family members/supporters of someone living with a mental illness. It doesn't matter what the mental illness is, we all need support coping with the challenges and concerns that arise when we have a loved one who is mentally ill. You can choose to attend once in awhile or come on a regular basis. Please call or email me if you would like more information. 6th ANNUAL FAMILY CONFERENCE- SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH BCSS, MDA, and VCHA- Family Advisory Committee, are partners in organizing this informative and low cost event.  If you haven't attended before I hope you will join us for a full day of speakers, panels and workshops. Conference Fees are Individual: $35, Family: $50, Low Income: $10. Friday Night-APRIL 29TH SPECIAL EVENT: We are excited to be hosting a conversation about Mental Illness and Human Rights between the award winning public health reporter from the Globe and Mail, Andre Picard, and David Eby, the Executive Director of the BC Civil Liberties Association. Tickets are 15.00 for the evening and can be purchased by calling 604-873-0103 or email: <a href="mailto:familyconference2011@gmail.com">familyconference2011@gmail.com</a> Saturday is the day of the Family Conference and Andre Picard will be the keynote speaker in the morning. He will be presenting on Stigma, Mental Illness and the Media. There will also be a panel on the topic: Responding to Schizoaffective Disorder- Past, Present, Future, and in the afternoon, a panel on Celebrating Strengths, Responding to Challenges. We're offering a workshop on Financial and Legal Issues, a screening and followup discussion of Family Matters, with Dr. Paul Termansen, and the producer, Marsha Newbery, and plenty of time to discuss, meet with others, attend a network lunch (must preregister), and visit the table displays set up by agencies and services to help you learn what is available in the community. I can't really cover everything (!) but I do hope you will register at <a href="mailto:familyconference2011@gmail.com">familyconference2011@gmail.com</a> or call in your registration at 604-873-0103. You can also go to Facebook and pull up Family Conference! EVENTS AROUND TOWN RECOVERY DIALOGUES- monthly discussions for people living with a mental illness, staff, family members and friends and supporters. Ongoing. April 28th topic: 'What have we learned from the dialogues so far?'. Contact <a href="mailto:Jennifer.ho2@vch.ca">Jennifer.ho2@vch.ca</a> if you would like to sign up to attend. Held at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario, in the basement room, from 12:15 - 1:45. Pizza served. Preregister Please! CREST.BD: Creativity in Bipolar Disorder: 'Touched with fire, or burnt out? Igniting a dialogue' A community consultation day- April 1, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at UBC- limited enrolment; contact Sharon Hou, Research Coordinator, at <a href="mailto:sharon.hou.@ubc.ca">sharon.hou.@ubc.ca</a> RUN/WALK PROGRAM- an active living program for Vancouver residents, ages 16 - 25, living with a mental illness. Enrol NOW! Sounds like fun! Contact Tasha (ext 5) or Rebecca (ext 7) 604-675-3989 CMHA-Van/Burnaby Branch has share and care groups in Mandarin and Cantonese, beginning in April. Check them out by contacting Stella Lee, 604-872-4902. I hope you will get out there, and get involved and connected. There are many positive things going in mental health these days and it's inspiring and hopeful to connect with others with similar concerns. Everyone needs support- as we know, there aren't any quick fixes, so we need to take care of ourselves so we can care for others. I look forward to seeing you at the Conference- please contact me if you'd like to get more information. I can be reached at 604-247-1884 or by email: <a href="mailto:lproudfoot@bcss.org">lproudfoot@bcss.org</a>. All the best, Linda  C  CRESTCccc           <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 23:50:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Hello and Happy New Year! How time flies, holidays over, solstice celebrated, soon the crocuses will be popping up, perhaps after a little more winter weather! Here is a small but important line up of events happening this month (not meant to be exhaustive) as there are many things going on but I'd like to draw your attention to these offerings. I am delighted to announce a special event that BCSS-Vancouver/Richmond, CMHA- Richmond Branch, and the Richmond Public Library have organized for Tuesday, January 18th, at the main branch (Brighouse) of the Richmond Library. Susan Inman, author of a recently published book, After Her Brain Broke, Helping My Daughter Recover Her Sanity, will be discussing the journey her family has undertaken in helping their daughter recover from a devastating mental illness. Susan will describe her family's experience in responding to her daughter's illness. Susan is a well known advocate and will describe some of the common problems that emerge for families and suggest ways that the mental health system can respond more effectively to the needs of families coping with these challenges. Susan's book has been recommended by NAMI and EUFAMI, which are the largest advocacy groups in the world for families of people living with serious mental illness. I hope you can join us the evening of Tuesday, January 18th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Brighouse Performance Hall in the Main Library, 7700 Minoru Gate, in Richmond. This special presentation is free but you are strongly encouraged to reserve a seat by contacting the Library- call 604-231-6468 or online at <a href="http://www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm">www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm</a> and quote Program #115. I hope you can make it, come up and say hello to me!   Another worthwhile evening will be MDA's Education Evening on Thursday, January 20th at 7 pm. Topic: Managing Panic Disorder Speaker: Arto Tienaho, Executive Director of Anxiety BC Location: Sunrise Hall, 1950 Windermere Street, Vancouver For more information, check website: <a href="http://www.mdabc.net">www.mdabc.net</a>   Friendly Reminder: Join us for our monthly BCSS support group for family members and friends of those living with a mental illness. Fourth Monday of each month- January 24th- from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Raven Song Community Health Centre, 2450 Ontario Street, in Room 101 (just inside the front door). We're informal, and you're welcome to come every month or just whenever you need some extra support and understanding! Strengthening Families Together will be offered in the spring and advertised in this newsletter as soon as the date and location is set. This is a 10 week program of education and support that family members have found invaluable in understanding the complexities of mental illness and how it affects everyone. Recovery Dialogue - How Does Recovery Hit The Ground? Join folks with lived experience, staff, family members and other supporters to listen, learn and discuss this month's topic: Sharing Information in a Recovery Oriented System Join the group on Tuesday, January 25th, from 12:15 - 1:45 in the Basement Room of Raven Song, 2450 Ontario. Please RSVP by Thursday, January 20th by calling 604-708-5224 or emailing <a href="mailto:jennifer.ho2@vch.ca">jennifer.ho2@vch.ca</a>   Before we know it, January will be over and we're heading into an early spring! All the best to you and your loved ones in the year ahead. Linda Proudfoot, Coordinator     <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:47:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Hello Everyone! Are you getting used to the shorter days and colder temperatures? Fortunately there are many special presentations and events this month to distract us from the rain and gloom. I hope you will be able to take advantage and join others in attending some of them. It's a great opportunity to meet people who share your interests and concerns and there is always more to learn in the domain of mental health. HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY PEOPLE: a ten year plan to address mental health and substance use in BC. Check out this new release by the Ministry of Health. You can find it on their website: <a href="http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/index">www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/index</a> There will be lots of debate and dialogue about this publication so inform yourself about proposed future directions by the BC government. IN RICHMOND Here is a list of special events for this community: Building Resilience in Children is a free educational event for anyone interesting in raising resourceful and resilient children. The guest speaker is Deborah MacNamara, a counselor and educator. This evening will be held on Tuesday, November 16th, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Performance Hall, Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Boulevard. Mental Health Forum will be held on Friday, November 19th from 1:30 - 4:00 pm at St. Alban's Church, 7260 St. Alban's Road. This is an opportunity for Richmond mental health consumers, family members, providers, caregivers, professionals and anyone living in the Richmond community, to meet and learn about mental health in Richmond through the experience of consumers and family members, and to join in discussions about mental health services and to share ideas, thoughts, issues or concerns. Family Fun Night is an evening offered to families coping with concerns that affect a family member's mental health or addiction- bring yourself, your children, and your support system, and join us for an evening (low key) of fun, food, games and activities. This evening takes place on Friday, November 26th, from 6:00 - 8:30 pm in Room 340 of the Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Road. Any queries? Call Susan Rachel at 604-273-9121. IN VANCOUVER Book Launch: EVENING the frayed edges: a collection of first hand accounts of mental health recovery. The Recovery Narrative Project Writers invites you to the celebration of the launch of their first anthology on Sunday, November 14th at 4:00 pm at the John Braithwaite Community Centre, 145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver. Frames of Mind presents: Family Matters: Surviving the Bipolar Journey, a Vancouver Premiere of a compassionate documentary on the impact of mental illness within the family unit. Co-sponsored by the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and the VCMHS Family Advisory Committee. The film and ensuing discussion takes place at Pacific Cinemateque, 1131 Howe Street, on Wednesday, November 17th, at 7:30 pm. Frames of Mind is a monthly film event that looks at issues pertaining to mental health and illness. Rethinking Drug Education: an education evening presented by MDA- Mood Disorders Association. Join Dan Reist, the assistant director of Knowledge Exchange, from the Centre for Addictions Research of BC. This evening is on Thursday, November 18th, at 7:00 pm, at the Sunrise Hall, 1950 Windermere Avenue, Vancouver. No charge to attend. For more information, contact MDA at 604-873-0103. Recovery Dialogue: How Does Involuntary Treatment Relate (or not relate) to Recovery?  This ongoing series takes place on Tuesday, November 23, from 12:15 - 1:45 pm at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Street. Join family members, friends, consumers, mental health staff in sharing your point of view about this important topic. Pizza lunch provided so RSVP by November 18th at 604-708-5224. Art Studios Winter Sale and Silent Auction: will be held at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, from 12:00 - 8:00 pm, on Thursday, November 25th. From Shadow to Light II, a benefit concert for Cottage Farm, held at the Chan Centre, UBC, on Saturday, November 27th at 7:00 pm. This is a fundraiser concert in support of Cottage Farm, which will be a caring, residential, therapeutic community where people with mental disorders can find healing, purpose and wholeness on their journey to wellness. OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO FOLKS WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS Not an event, but if you are a consumer or know someone who is, please let them know that the Consumer Initiative Fund is now accepting applications from consumers for financial aid to take a course to enhance your life or improve your skill set. Funding is limited and based on a draw of submitted applications. Forms are available at all teams, units and agencies and Central Office, 200-520 West 6th Avenue, at Reception. Deadline for entry is November 29th. As you can see, there are some fabulous and very interesting opportunities to take advantage of this month. I hope you will be able to choose one or more and make that connection with others in the mental health community. Finally, this is a time of year that seems to slide by so quickly, but please take time for yourself,  guard your health, and seek those moments that add lightness and laughter to your life. All the best, Linda Proudfoot 604-247-1884 <a href="mailto:lproudfoot@bcss.org">lproudfoot@bcss.org</a> <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:11:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Hello to you all! We can all see that summer is fading and autumn is around the corner- I hope you were able to have some time over this exceptional summer to enjoy the good weather and extra hours of daylight. There are a lot of things going on as we get into the fall season so I've made a list to share with you in case you have missed hearing about some of them. Strengthening Families Together: Start up Date in Vancouver, Tuesday, September 21st, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm for nine Tuesdays, at the Peace Centre, 1825 West 16th Avenue- preregistration is necessary! If you haven't already taken this course please consider signing up for the fall Strengthening Families Together. This course is offered to family members and friends of those living with a mental illness. It's designed to provide information on topics such as kinds of mental illness, treatment, the mental health system, coping as a family, advocacy, concurrent disorders etc. Besides having a chance to learn from each other and from the curriculum, SFT offers support to those attending as you get a chance to share experiences. Please call or email Linda for more information. Contact information at end of newsletter. This program is also offered in other cities around the province. Please look at our family calendar on the BCSS website: <a href="http://www.bcss.org">www.bcss.org</a> Vancouver Support Group- held fourth Monday of month- next one- Sept 27th from 6:30 -8:30 pm You're always welcome, every month or when you have the need, to join us at Raven Song Community Health Centre, 2450 Ontario Street, in Vancouver, in the Partnership Room. Designed to offer support to family members and friends. BCSS Annual General Meeting- Sunday, Sept 26th, from 1-4 pm at Ralph Fisher Auditorium, Richmond Hospital If you're a member, please join us to have the opportunity to cast your vote on a couple of resolutions being presented. Everyone, whether a member or not, is invited to attend and to hear our guest speaker, Dr. Michael Krausz, speak on Addictions and Concurrent Disorders- What Psychiatry Do We Need? This is a very interesting topic so I hope to see you there! BCSS Teens in Control - an educational support group for teens 13-18 who have a parent with a mental illness. Although the group is held in New West, teens living outside that city are welcome to attend. Please call Ki Speer at 604-562-5098 for more information. Starts Sept 15th from 4-5:30 pm Wednesdays so call now! Community Table in Richmond offers a program for children of parents with a mental illness. It's called Resilient Kids and is for children who are 8-12 years old. Location of program is at Richmond Caring Place. Referrals accepted until Oct 7th- program starts Oct 18th. Please contact Roz Walls-604-732-0710 for more information or to register. ZYPREXA(OLANZAPINE)- This is a reminder that anyone who wants to benefit from the settlement of this class action suit has until OCTOBER 28th to sign up. For information, look at <a href="http://www.zyprexasettlement.ca">www.zyprexasettlement.ca</a> SOME VERY INTERESTING WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AROUND TOWN Suicide Awareness Day- Vancouver Art Gallery, Sept 10th from 12 - 1 pm. Please bring a serviceable pair of shoes to donate to Lookout. Kick Off Party- the start of a fitness and nutrition program for Vancouver youth and young adults ages 16 - 25 with a diagnosed mental illness. Sept 13th from 4:30 -6:30 pm. Call Tasha or Rebecca at 604-435-5677 for the details. Education Evening presented by MDA- Dr. Alex Chapman will discuss Borderline Personality Disorder: Fact & Fiction, Thursday, Sept 16th at Sunrise Hall. For more info, call 604-873-0103. Changeways Group for Immigrant Men or Women dealing with anxiety, depression, difficult life situations- starts Monday, Sept 20, from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Call Norma Sanchez at 604-709-6501. Spirituality and Mental Heath Focus Groups- to discuss benefits and concerns re integrating spirituality into mental health services. Two groups- Sept 20th or Sept 30th-Please call Sharon Smith at 604-714-3771, ext 2300, for information. Family Fun Night in Richmond, for families coping with concerns that affect a family member's mental health or addiction- bring yourself, your children, your support system and join us for an evening of laugher, fun, games and activities. Join us on Friday, Sept 24th, from 6 - 8:30 pm at the Richmond Caring Place. Call Susan Rechel at 604-273-9121 if you have queries.  RECOVERY DIALOGUES CONTINUE IN THE FALL- JOIN THIS INTERESTING DIALOGUE Join family members, friends, people with lived experience of mental illness, staff and other supporters in discussing this interesting topic: Healthy Relationships and Sexuality: Tuesday, Sept 28th from 12:15 - 2pm. Held at Ravensong in the Basement Room, 2450 Ontario Street. I'm sure you can find something to choose from in the above list! Mainly I hope you will approach the new season with optimism and hope! You can reach me by calling Linda at 604-247-1884- leave voice mail if I'm not at my desk, or email me at <a href="mailto:lproudfoot@bcss.org">lproudfoot@bcss.org</a> All the best, Linda BCSS Coordinator for Vancouver/Richmond     <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:50:00 GMT

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:19:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Hello Again! I hope you are enjoying spring and the surrounding blossoms! We're halfway through April and there are a lot of exciting events coming up that I'd like to encourage you to attend! You may have already received notice of some of them but here's a list for you to consider!  Fifth Annual Family Conference- Working Together for Mental Health Saturday, May 1st, from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Vancouver General Hospital, Paetzhold Theatre, 899 West 12th Avenue Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bill MacEwan This is a day of stimulating discussion, information sharing and inspiring stories, a chance to meet people who care about mental illness and its impact and want to learn more. Come out and hear the panel discussion: Working with Mental Health Professionals- addressing problems and finding solutions. MH professionals, family members and a consumer rep will discuss these issues. Don't miss the fabulous workshops in the afternoon. You can hear inspiring stories of recovery, learn more about financial and legal planning, increase your knowledge of emergency resources and look at the options and value of leisure opportunities. The conference will also see the return of the very popular Family Panel- looking at perspectives of individual family members. If you haven't registered, now's the time. Please register before May 1st by calling 604-873-0103 or emailing <a href="mailto:Familyconference2010@gmail.com">Familyconference2010@gmail.com</a> The price is right for such an informative day. 35.00 for individuals, 10.00 for low-income, and 50.00 for families. An amazing deal! I hope to see you there- come up and say hello!! More Community Notes! PARENTS: WORRIED ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S WORRYING? On Thursday, April 22, from 7 - 8:30 pm, at the Lecture Hall, in the Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, there will be an educational evening with presentations by Dr. Monique Wong, a child psychiatrist, Stephen Krzyzanowski, clinician at the Integrated Youth Outreach Team, Richmond Mental Health Services, and Arto Tienho, E.D. of the Anxiety Disorders Association of BC.   VANCOUVER SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS SUPPORTING THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS Meets this month on Monday, April 26th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Street, Vancouver, in the Partnership Room. Call Linda at 604-247-1884 if you would like to join us!   DIALOGUE SERIES: DISCUSSION ON RECOVERY: TOPIC: CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY On Thursday, April 29th from 12:30 - 2:00 pm in the Basement Room of Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Street, Vancouver. Join family members, people with lived experience of mental illness, staff and other supporters to discuss and share our personal perspective.   MENTAL HEALTH FAMILY AND RESPITE SERVICE PRESENTS: LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA- AN EVENING WITH BILL MacPHEE- ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28TH, 7-9 PM AT DOUGLAS COLLEGE, NEW WESTMINSTER. REGISTER BY CALLING 1-877-717-5518 or email <a href="mailto:billmacphee@bcss.org">billmacphee@bcss.org</a> Bill is the CEO of Magpie Publishing and the Founder of the SZ Magazine!   MENTAL HEALTH WEEK- MAY 1 - 7: SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE! Take care of your own health by enjoying Your Wellness Day. Click onto <a href="http://www.yourwellnessday.ca">www.yourwellnessday.ca</a> and view the spas and salons that are offering 20% of their service charges to two well known and worthy charities, MPA and CMHA-Vancouver/Burnaby Branch. Do something nice for yourself, visit a spa or salon, and support people living with mental health challenges!   There's a lot going on- hope you can attend some or all of these events. Take care of yourself! Sincerely, Linda <a href="mailto:lproudfoot@bcss.org">lproudfoot@bcss.org</a>         <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:27:00 GMT

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:48:00 GMT

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:46:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Hello Everyone! Autumn is here, and people seem to have moved into their busy fall schedule- I will mention some upcoming activities to you and hope you will be able to attend some of them. RECOVERY DIALOGUE: HOW DO WE INCORPORATE RECOVERY ORIENTED VALUES IN OUR DAILY LIFE?- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH Last minute notice! If you are interested in attending, please call 604-708-5224 or email <a href="mailto:kyle.weston@vch.ca">kyle.weston@vch.ca</a> immediately as it is from 12:30 - 2 pm tomorrow. Check to see if there is still space. Held at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Streeet. Light lunch served. TAKING IT TO THE STREETS- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH BC Mental Health and Addictions is sponsoring an event to promote their community based research in mental health and addictions. The evening includes short talks and a panel- some of the participants are Victoria Maxwell, Dr. Elana Brief, Dr. Erin Michalak, and Dr. Amy Salmon. Event is held at Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova Street, from 7 - 9 pm. BCSS VANCOUVER SUPPORT GROUP- MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH Consider yourself invited to attend our monthly support group for family members and friends of those living with a mental illness. We meet at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Street, in the Partnership Room, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. We'd love to meet you and offer our collective support and encouragement at whatever point you are at, in your journey in understanding the many dimensions of mental illness and its impact on you and your loved ones. MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE NEW MILLENIUM- A MENTAL HEALTH CARE POLICY FORUM- WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House is sponsoring this forum. There will be five speakers on the panel and they will present their perspective on where mental health policy should be headed as we approach the second decade of the new millennium. Event is held at St Margaret's Cedar Cottage Anglican Church, 1530 East 22nd Avenue, from 7 - 8:30 pm. Free. BRAIN WELLNESS, THE SECRETS OF LONGEVITY- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH This special event is brought to you by Richmond Mental Health Family Member Advocate, Linda Burchill. It's a workshop/lecture on the things you need to do to keep your brain healthy and functioning optimally throughout your life.  Gary Anaka, author of "Your Brain Wellness: The Secrets of Longevity" and "The Magical Brain- How it Learns Best" is the keynote speaker. Gary has over  34 years of teaching experience in the regular classroom as well as in learning assistance. He presents ideas from the field of Applied Educational Neuroscience. Linda reports that his presentation is informative, lively and fun filled.  It's being held at the Lecture Hall of the Minoru Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, from  7- 9 pm. Tickets: $15 KELTY RESOURCE CENTRE- OPEN HOUSE- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH Celebrate Health Literacy Month by visiting this fabulous resource at their Open House from 2 - 4:30 pm. Location is the Mental Health Building (Heather and 30th), Children's Hospital, 3rd floor, Room P3-302 OPEN MINDS ACROSS CANADA -MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM- SAT, NOV 7TH Sponsored by the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, join the symposium (free) from 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. for presentations by Dr. Erin Michalak, Dr. William Honer, Catriona Hippman, and Dr. Ric Procyshyn. Presentations include interesting topics such as: stories of self managment strategies from people living with bipolar disorder, brain plasticity in psychosis, connection between genes and your mental health, and a report on why people with schizophrenia smoke more. Location: BC Children's Hospital, Chan Centre, 4500 Oak St. I wish I could summarize all of the upcoming activities and special events that cross my desk but I hope this list will tempt you to participate in one or all of these offerings. It's empowering to increase our knowledge of mental health issues and to meet others with the same interests and concerns. In closing this newsletter update, I would like to remind you that I enjoy hearing from you, either by phone; 604-247-1884 (usually best to leave a voice mail message that I can reply to) or by email: lproudfoot @bcss.org. We can also meet for coffee if you would prefer. I sincerely hope you are taking care of yourself, taking the time to recharge your batteries and to remind yourself that your health and happiness is an important step in developing your resilience and coping skills. Cheers, Linda Proudfoot Van/Richmond Coordinator       <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:01:00 GMT

<div id="border"> <div id="Container"> <table width=100%><tr><td bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/logo_new.jpg"> <img src="http://www.bcss.org/a_images/bcss_2line_text.jpg"> Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message <a href="http://bcss.org">Home</a> </td></tr></table> <div class="floatclear"></div> </div> <div id="Content"> Hello! I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well! There are so many things that are coming up this fall, I'd like to mention a few of them- many of you receive a lot of information from various sources, including myself. I often have the same article sent to me several times- this definitely helps me stay in touch with what's happening! BCSS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING- September 26, 2009 Please make the time to attend the BCSS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, to be held on Saturday, September 26th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Ralph Fisher Auditorium, at Richmond General Hospital, 700 Westminster Highway, Richmond. We are pleased to have Dr. John Gray, PhD deliver an address on: "The BC Mental Health Act-What Families Need to Know" Space is limited so please register by emailing <a href="mailto:bcss.prov@telus.net">bcss.prov@telus.net</a> or call 604-270-7841. I especially urge members of BCSS to join us on that day- the meeting itself will be short but your attendance is important so that you can vote on a number of resolutions. Please come and join us. If you're not a member (yet!) you won't be able to vote at this year's AGM but we hope you will attend and learn more about the important work we do, with the help of many wonderful volunteers. We need your support and we'd love to meet you! VANCOUVER SUPPORT GROUP - September 28, 2009 We meet again on Monday, September 28th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Raven Song Community Health Centre, 2450 Ontario Street, in the Partnership Room. Please come out and meet other family members and friends of those with a mental illness. Share your experiences, offer and get support, and meet new people. If you'd like to discuss the support group with me, please call and leave a message for Linda at 604-247-1884. Just to remind you: the support group meets on the fourth Monday of each month! RECOVERY DIALOGUE- OCTOBER 20, 2009 If you didn't get the opportunity to participate last fall when the Recovery Dialogues were offered at Raven Song, here is your chance to meet consumers, family members, friends, and staff to talk and listen to each other while we explore the philosophy of Recovery. Time is from 12:30 - 2:00 pm; RSVP by emailing <a href="mailto:kyle.welton@vch.ca">kyle.welton@vch.ca</a> or call 604-708-5224. TOPIC: How do we incorporate recovery oriented values in our daily life? RICHMOND EVENING OF FAMILY FUN- October 23, 2009 For families living in Richmond, the Community Table to Support Families with Parental Mental Illness, invites parents coping with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, psychotic disorders and schizophrenia, to bring yourself, your children and support system and join us for an evening of fun, laughter, food, games and social activities. Location: Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Road, Richmond. Time: Friday, Oct. 23, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm Please call 604-273-9121 if you have any questions or queries.   I hope to see you at one or all of these events! Take care of yourself! Linda Proudfoot Van/Richmond Coordinator           <a href="http://www.bcss.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi">Pro Dada</a> </div> </div>