One of the reasons CMHAVB is so fond of the recovery process…

To all the folks who participated in the great #mhsm tweet chat last night, we’d like to add a bit more info about the recovery philosophy which influences all of the work we do here.

Given that there no one “right” definition of recovery in the mental health sense, one that always comes to mind - especially for its simplicity - is from a talk by Dr. Larry Davidson - “You can do it, we can help.”

Simple. Direct. Achievable. Empowering. Who wouldn’t want to embrace this?

 For a more in depth definition please check out this entry and, among others, the work of Bill Anthony and Pat Deegan, and Mary Ellen Copeland.
 
One such example of the recovery process in action is peer support. Peer support can be many things, but in its essence it is people with lived experience of mental illness modeling and helping others move along their own recovery path. I know, this sounds a bit flaky, but it is really a powerful process, and it works!
 
I’d like to pass this quote along shared by one of our colleagues:

 “Ideally, peer support is a gift that is happily accepted. It is an act of caring, trust and reciprocal empathy. When the connection succeeds, it provides emotional relief that one’s struggle against the world is not uniquely hopeless”

From the Article ‘Why Peer Support Is Like A Box of Chocolates’ by Raymond Cheng, Network Magazine Fall 2010

We'd like your input on depression screening events

Made possible with the support of a group of great volunteers, CMHAVB put on a small public depression and anxiety screening event at our office on Monday evening - Blue Monday - and we were a bit disappointed by the small turnout.

Not to be put off, we are seeking input from as viewpoints as possible to see how we can better meet the needs of our community.

One thought is that the need for this type of event is no longer needed. We think not.

Other considerations included:

The time of day not being a good fit. We planned this particular event to catch folks just after work...maybe this was a bit optimistic? Would a daytime event be a better fit for those concerned about low mood or anxiety?

The day of the week was not a good fit. A suggestion from one of our volunteer clinicians is to consider holding a screening event on a Saturday. We would be willing to try that.

Perhaps people would prefer to look at the screening tools in advance or even fill them out on-line prior to taking the time to come out to an event in person? We think this is a really good idea, and are willing to consider this option for our next screening event.

Most of all, we would like to hear what others have to say. Perhaps you have attended an event in the past? Or held you own events? Or it may be that have you have only considered going to a screening...

In any event, we'd like to hear from you.

Event info - Self-Injury Awareness Day Mar 1 2011

Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD)
March 1 2011
An Educational Evening: Self-Injury Uncovered

Presenters:
Seia Roots
Lyn MacBeath, Psychiatrist

TUESDAY MARCH 1ST

6:30-8:00PM

CMHA Vancouver Burnaby Branch
175 West Broadway
Vancouver

Office # is 604-872-4902

This event is open to all by donation
$5 RECOMMENDED

Self-Injury Uncovered - an education evening event Mar 1

Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD) is March 1st.

 We hope you will share our enthusiasm and circulate the attached poster. And maybe wear an orange ribbon or bracelet!

On this day, and in the weeks leading up to it, people may be more likely to speak about this often secret behaviour, maybe for the first time.

The idea is to reduce shame and stigma, and to replace misinformation with knowledge about self-injury.

CMHAVB is pleased to host pychiatrist Lyn MacBeath from Interior Health, who will co-present with MHFA instructor, Seia Roots, for this educational evening about self-injury. Lyn and Seia have presented several times before on the topic. Most recently they presented at the Family Medical Forum in Vancouver last October.

This presentation is intended for those with direct experience, friends/family members, as well as professionals who want to hear some of the latest on the topic.

We will explore:

-  meanings and functions
- when it is a problem?
- what to do about it?
- how to talk about it?

The workshop will be open to all, and will be held at the CMHA VB Vancouver offices, 175 West Broadway.

Orange bracelets, a symbol for Self-Injury Awareness Day will be available by donation at of the event.

Sites we go to find free or low cost things to do in Vancouver

Looking for inexpensive or free activities in Vancouver? Want to know what is happening around town?

Check out these websites:
Free Vancity: http://www.freevancity.com/

Tourism Vancouver: http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/things_to_do/free_or_almost_free

Find Family Fun: http://findfamilyfun.com/eventthismonth.htm

Vancouver Public Library Events: http://www.vpl.ca/events/

The Georgia Straight: http://www.straight.com/

City of Vancouver Events: http://vancouver.ca/events.cfm

CANTONESE MENTAL HEALTH RADIO SERIES AM1470 10-11pm

Stella Lee (CMHAVB Chinese Health Promotion Program Coordinator) has helped the Chinese radio AM1470 arrange a series of mental health topics for Cantonese interview programs starting this Friday, February 4, 2011, from 10pm to 11pm. The host of this evening interview program is ‘Hon Men 漢文’


February 4, Friday
Help People in Recovery Back to Work
有关精神康复者复工或就業问题
Speaker: Alan Yien, Employment Counsellor for people with disabilities

February 7, Monday
About Mood Disorders
情緒病的認識與處理　
Speaker: 梁頴茵博士Ｄr. Debbie Leung, Clinical Psychologist

February 11, Friday
Positive Psychology to Happiness
可助你求取幸福的正向心理學
Speaker: Dr. Sandra Wong, Registered Psychologist

February 14, Monday
Personality Disorder and Self-harm
邊緣性人格障礙及自殘問題
Speaker: :梁頴茵博士Ｄr. Debbie Leung, Clinical Psychologist

February 18, Friday
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Youth
兒童和青少年的焦慮症問題
Speaker: Joshua Chin,
Clinician of the Child and Youth Mental Health Services
VCH

February 21, Monday
Learning Disabilities of Children
兒童的學習障礙問題
Speaker: Greenly Hoe-Yan Ho, MA
PhD Student, Clinical Psychology Program　　

February 25, Friday
Dealing with Grieving
如何處理失去至愛的傷痛
Speaker: Greenly Hoe-Yan Ho, MA
PhD Student, Clinical Psychology Program

February 28, Friday Food That Can Promote Moods
能促進情緒健康的營養食物
Speaker: 謝婉卿女士Yuen-Hing Tse, Holistic Nutritionist

Wishing  You and Your Family a Very Happy
& Prosperous Healthy Chinese New Year!