OTHER RESOURCES
If you know of any other resources for this area please email us with description and website address.
Peace Arch News Courage Article
Coming back from the brink. A recovery article.
Free Guidebook Highlights Peer Roles in In-Patient Settings
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Office of Technical Assistance is pleased to announce a new landmark technical report entitled "Paving New Ground - Peers Working In In-Patient Settings", which details the development of peer roles in mental health settings. The guidebook is available as a free download at http://www.nasmhpd.org/consumernetworking.cfm.
Shelters list
This is the most current list for shelters. All are free except welcome house.
What is the stigma of having Tardive Dyskinesia?
Tardive Dyskinesia—A Side Effect of Stigma. Tardive Dyskinesia—A Side Effect of. Susan Katz. I have tardive dyskinesia ...
Information posted on sites like Facebook is not private!
The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (welfare) and the Ministry of Children and Families are using Facebook, MySpace and other public domains to find evidence of:
* Undisclosed co-habitation (living with someone)
* Spending beyond what is provided by the ministry
* Casual Employment
* Leaving the province for more than 30 days
* Gifts, pets and other income
They are using this information, based on postings on personal websites, to deny welfare and disability pensions. Anyone on long term disability or involved in collection action or the Canadian Revenue Authority should also be aware.
Financial Assistance for Psychiatric Medications
Did you know that British Columbia’s PharmaCare program includes a specific plan to provide financial assistance for most psychiatric medications? More info...
Public Speaking Opportunities
I am looking for individuals who are interested in sharing their Story of living with mental illness and their journey of recovery. The speaking engagements are usually for high school, college and university students. It is usually a 2 to 3 hour time commitment (including travel time and other speakers) and I pay an honorarium. If you are interested please give me a call at 604-247-1884 or email me at jessicasmits@bcss.org for more information.
Recent Housing Project with Coast Mental Health (Doug Story Apartments)
A call for proposals to operate a new housing development project with The Millennium and the City of Vancouver went out early last year. Coast Mental Health was the successful proponent to operate these brand new units. More info...
Province Expands Homeless Shelters, Housing Supports
More info...
VCH Riverview Redesign Access Tracking Report - September 2007
The Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Riverview Redesign Access Tracking Project has been monitoring outcomes for Access Project clients who were discharged from Riverview Hospital to VCH between June 2002 and March 2004. Client outcome information provided by care providers has been collated into the Access Tracking Report – September 2007. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Karen Nesbitt, Lead for the Access Tracking Project (875-4111, Local 61751).
Tools for working with clients feeling suicidal or those suicide bereaved
Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction - SFU Faculty of Health Sciences publications regarding suicide are now all available on-line for downloading - free. They are for clinicians, 'Working With the Client Who is Suicidal: A Tool for Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services' which is a guide to recommended practices with suicidal adults, and the assessment tool 'Working with the Suicidal Patient: A Guide for Health Care Professionals'; for individuals who are feeling suicidal 'Coping with Suicidal Thoughts'; for those who have lost someone to suicide, 'Hope and Healing; a Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide'. The link to all this material http://www.carmha.ca/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=publications.showByClass&topic=13
Quest Food Exchange
If clients register through VCMHS teams or units, or call my office, 604-708-5252, to register, they can shop at this resource for wonderful across-the-board food products at 20 -30% of retail. It is a respectful, clean environment, with a wide array of fresh produce, frozen food and packaged goods (often in bulk). It is located at 1217 East Georgia (just west of Clark). www.questoutreach.org. This organization also takes on many volunteers -- after 3-4 hours of volunteering, they can go home with a good food hamper.
Strategy - Building on Strength
Building on Strength outlines our plan to address mental health and addiction in your community. Its vision will guide our Mental Health and Addiction planning over the next 10 years, and create of a system that puts people first. More info...
Stories of Strength and Courage
VCH Mental Health and Addiction Housing produced an excellent short video, approximately 12 minutes long, telling the story of 3 individuals who faced the challenge of mental illness and addiction and how supported housing, treatment, and family support helped them in their recovery. This was shown at the City of Vancouver Supported Housing public information sessions across the city last March/April to educate the public about mental illness and addiction. The stories are very moving and the message is clear that housing is an important component of recovery and wellness. Recently, on June 6th, the City of Vancouver Council passed unanimously the motion to endorse the Supported Housing strategic plan. For the video, "Stories of Strength and Courage" click on this link www.vch.ca/mental/ and scroll down to 'What's New'.
National Network for Mental Health Press Release
The BUILT Network gains national recognition for its exemplary learning practices from the Canadian Council on Learning. More info...
Cognitive Dysfunction associated with psychiatric disabilities - Handbook for Families and friends
An useful overview on cognitive dysfunction in mental illness - 36 pages PDF download. Talks about impact on daily functioning, medications, treatment, and what family members can do to help.
Anyone interested in having their voice heard through writing!
BC mental health journal "Visions" works really hard to include a variety of voices/perspectives. If you are interested in contributing an article on one of the following topics, Housing/homelessness (summer), Medications (fall), Aboriginal Issues (winter), and School/campuses (spring), first check out the journal: http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions/index.shtml (it also available in hard copy to residents of B.C.) Connect with Sarah with your ideas before actually writing an article. She may have other ideas once you've connected, or give you additional ideas for your article. Sarah's contact info is:
Sarah Hamid-Balma, Visions Editor
BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information
c/o 1200-1111 Melville St., Vancouver BC, V6E 3V6
(ph) 604.669.7600 or 1.800.661.2121
(fx) 604.688.3236
email: bcpartners@heretohelp.bc.ca
Can You Live With the Voices in Your Head?
An article by Daniel B. Smith, Published: March 25, 2007
National Empowerment Center - Articles
Confessions of a non-compliant patient by
Judi Chamberlin
Canadian Mental Health Commission
Was announced today as part of the federal budget. The following information was provided from today’s budget: $10 million for each of the next 2 years for a Canadian Mental Health Commission and $15 million in year 3 (Senate Committee recommendation was for $17 million in each of the next 10 years) Michael Kirby was announced as the Chair of the Commission A National anti-drug strategy was also announced at $64 million
It does not appear that other recommendations from the Senate Committee, most notably the $215 million/year for the Basket of Community Services, the $2.24 Billion/10 years for the Mental Health Housing Initiative and the $25 million/year for research have been funded although National will be sending out more detailed information and analysis later this week which we will also circulate.
This represents an excellent opportunity for us to work with the Commission and Senator Kirby to help ensure that this focus remains over the coming months and that we do not lose momentum as we approach a federal election. The fact that Senator Kirby has been named as Chair is significant given his strong commitment to ensuring the voices of people with direct experience influence mental health service planning, implementation and evaluation.
Information on joining The Conversation on Health
Premier Gordon Campbell has officially launched the "Conversation on Health," a significant public consultation on B.C.'s health care system. This is an important opportunity for all to share their ideas and have opinions heard. For more information check out the Conversation on Health Information Poster or Comment and Registration Form
Some illnesses are more equal than others
A good article around stigma and challenges (Toronto Star, January 14, 2007)
Vancouver Coastal Health News
The Consumer/Survivor Information Resource Centre
BULLETIN Information for consumer/survivors of the mental health system, those who serve us, and those who care about us.
Vancouver Suicide Survivors Coalition Community Engagement Consultation Report
A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada,produced in 2002. Similar to the 2002 report, it includes chapters on mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, and suicidal behaviour. It also has a chapter on general mental illness. The authors added new chapters on mental health, problematic substance use, gambling, hospitalization, and Aboriginal people's mental health and well-being. The authors say the purpose of the report is to make Canadians more aware of, and knowledgeable about, mental health and mental illness in Canada. The October 2006 report is available at the Public Health Agency of Canada website in PDF format.
Quick Facts: Mental Illness & Addiction In Canada
This is a handy and well-thought out booklet providing facts on mental illness & addiction in Canada. Published in 2006 by Mood Disorders Society of Canada.
Charlie's Food Bank
A program dispensing free pet food at Powell Street's Mission Possible on Thursday morning.
Proclamation from BC Government re World Suicide Prevention Day see poster
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