Special Action Committee (SAC)
Special Action Committee (SAC)
The Special Action Committee (SAC) is a group of dedicated peers who have been involved with Vancouver mental health services for many years. The key organizers volunteer to source, organize and host public education events for local peers. Funding for the events is provided by the Consumer Initiative Fund program, Vancouver Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
History
Key members of the SAC were former members of the past Special Advisory Committee, a legacy of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services days when the Vancouver mental health teams sent representatives from their local client advisory committees to a larger community meeting for networking and to gather info to share back with their home committees.
Workshops
Since 2015, the new SAC has organized approximately three workshops a year, covering a wide range of topics. Popular topics are repeated allowing more peers from across the city to attend. Attendance at the sessions averages about 35 people, with some hot topics attracting over 50 attendees.
The SAC welcomes suggestions for workshop topics and can be reached at 604-714-3771 ext. 2238
Topics covered
| February 2013 | Changes to Disability Benefits (BC Coalition of People with Disabilities) |
| September 2013 | RDSP in-person workshop (PLAN BC) |
| January 2014 | MH Team client input requested regarding client Transitions to Other Community Services |
| June 2014 | Service Canada re Federal Benefit Programs |
| October 2014 | Employment Services for People with Disabilities (Service Canada/YWCA) |
| February 2015 | Provincial Benefits for People on PWD after 65 |
| June 2015 | Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications (Dr. Ric Procyshyn) |
| October 2015 | Changes to Provincial Benefits after Age 65 (Disability Alliance BC) |
| February 2016 | Service Canada – Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, GIS, and other benefits |
| June 2016 | ECT and Depression (Dr. Joseph Tham) |
| October 2016 | A workshop for those on BC Disability Benefits – Changes Provincially and New rules on Assets for Persons on PWD II |
| March 2017 | Sleep Disorders |
| June 2017 | VCH Crisis Response Team |
| October 2017 | Mental Health Housing, a joint presentation by VCH Mental Health Supported Housing and BC Housing (videotaped) |
| February 2018 | Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) |
| July 2018 | Eating Well for Your Wellbeing (a with a VCH Registered Dietician from the VCH Healthy Living program) |
| October 2018 | Transit Safety |
| March 2019 | Mental Health Act |
| June 2019 | Changes to Disability Benefits |
| October 2019 | Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, GIS and Other Benefits |
| February 2020 | A Workshop on Brief Action Planning by the Centre for Collaboration , Motivation and Innovation |
| November 2020 | Coping with Anxiety and Depression During a Pandemic – a talk by Dr. Tigerson M. Young |
| November 2021 | A talk on Personal Safety |
| November 2022 | BC Disability Benefits and Transition to OAS. Ask an Advocate, go here for more info |
COMING SOON!
| Next Event is TBD |
