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Family and Supporter ResourcesWelcome 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 | Learn about Concurrent Disorders | Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s Report | The Mental Health Commission of Canada Announces a Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada | Research Studies/Programs looking for Participants Ongoing BC-Wide Family Resources
If this e-resource has been forwarded to you by a friend, you can sign up for your own copy Resources and Information from BC PartnersThe following are some recent news items and service offerings from the BC Partners member agencies and other sources on topics affecting family members and their loved ones with a mental illness. Learn About … Concurrent Disorders When a person has both a mental health issue and a substance use problem, we say they have a concurrent disorder. (In the past, this condition was called “dual diagnosis” or “multiple diagnosis.”) This fact sheet was developed by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA-BC) Chief Public Health Officer Identifies Children’s Mental Health As Area for Concern Children’s mental health is one of six areas of concern for children’s health and well-being, according to the recently released Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s report. The report was focused on identifying early-life factors that have lifelong impacts on health. The report said international data suggests more than 15% of children may be experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder, yet more than one in three parents would be embarrassed to admit their child has a mental illness. According the report, children’s mental health can be promoted through education and awareness, community support, and a broad mental health strategy. The report endorses the broad mental health strategy being developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. To read the report, see The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2009: Growing up well – priorities for a healthy future at www.publichealth.gc.ca .
Research Studies/Projects looking for ParticipantsLooking to help researchers help understand mental illness? Would you like to be involved in helping researchers figure out what helps the most? Please see this link to the list of ongoing research studies looking for participants with a mental illness or their family members. In this issue: Ongoing BC-Wide Family Resources | Registered Disability Savings Plan Workshop for Mandarin Speakers | Report Identifies Children’s Mental Health As Area for Concern | Visions takes a look at Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | The Centre for Well-Being Launches in the Lower Mainland | CMHA Responds to Assistance to Shelter Act
Featured Resources and Information The following are some recent news items and service offerings from the BC Partners member agencies and other sources on topics affecting family members and their loved ones with a mental illness. Registered Disability Savings Plan Workshop for Mandarin Speakers Come, ask questions and understand how the Registered Disability Savings Plan can benefit your long-term financial planning Date: Wednesday December 9, 2009 Free admission and everyone is welcome. <a href=”http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2009/cphorsphc-respcacsp/index-eng.php”>Chief Public Health Officer Identifies Children’s Mental Health As Area for Concern</a> Children’s mental health is one of six areas of concern for children’s health and well-being, according to the recently released Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s report. The report was focused on identifying early-life factors that have lifelong impacts on health. The report said international data suggests more than 15% of children may be experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder, yet more than one in three parents would be embarrassed to admit their child has a mental illness. According the report, children’s mental health can be promoted through education and awareness, community support, and a broad mental health strategy. The report endorses the broad mental health strategy being developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. To read the report, see <a href=”http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2009/cphorsphc-respcacsp/index-eng.php”>The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2009: Growing up well – priorities for a healthy future</a> at www.publichealth.gc.ca. <a href=”http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions”>Visions journal on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy</a> The latest issue of Visions takes a look at Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which aims to connect thoughts, behaviours and feelings as a type of therapy for many mental health and substance use issues, including depression, anxiety, psychosis and problem substance use. Topics include the treatment’s history, current practices and different approaches. Read the issue to learn how CBT works and how it has helped people with different mental health problems. However, despite its successes, it can be very hard to access this treatment in BC. Check out the journal online at <a href=”http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions”>heretohelp.bc.ca.</a> <a href=”http://www.forcesociety.com/education/friends_anxiety_prevention_program”>Parent Training for FRIENDS</a> A number of school districts throughout the province have planned Parent Training for FRIENDS Anxiety Prevention Program. To see if a course will be happening in your area go to the <a href=”http://www.forcesociety.com/education/friends_anxiety_prevention_program”>program page at forcesociety.com</a> <a href=”http://www.thecenterofwellbeing.ca”>The Centre for Well-Being Launches in the Lower Mainland</a> A new non-profit, The Center for Well-Being, aims to create change from the inside out. The centre’s goal is to educate people on three principles that lead to understanding prevention, health promotion, intervention and recovery in a new way. The centre hopes to engage the human spirit, and has simplified the language used in their approach to issues. The centre is looking for people to participate in their principle-based research. For more information on the centre, call 604-551-1787 or visit them at <a href=”http://www.thecenterofwellbeing.ca”>www.thecenterofwellbeing.ca.</a> <a href=”http://www.cmha.bc.ca/news_events/media/letters/10-30-09″> CMHA Responds to Assistance to Shelter Act</a> The Canadian Mental Health Association of BC has written an article that raises several concerns about the recently introduced Assistance to Shelter Act. There is worry that if the law to force homeless people into shelters in the winter is passed, it could just push the more vulnerable into further hiding, as shelters can be a very distressing choice for many homeless people with mental illness. Long term solutions are also needed to provide housing and social supports for homeless individuals in the community, and shelters are a temporary solution. Legislation should focus on providing homeless people with a right to effective treatment and support. <a href=”http://www.cmha.bc.ca/news_events/media/letters/10-30-09″>Read the entire article.</a> |
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 |
The Mental Health Commission of Canada Announces a Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for CanadaWelcome 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.