A Volunteer's Perspective on Volunteering

Volunteer: to offer of one's own accord to do something*
By Siobhan E. McCormick

A number of years ago, I was approached by a neighbour and asked if I would be on the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program Committee. As a member of the committee I would have to donate of my time in order to review grant proposals and decide which projects would qualify for a $500 grant from the Vancouver Foundation's Neighbourhood Small Grants Program. I agreed and with that embarked on a journey brought me unexpected rewards.

Up to that point I had not done much volunteer work. I had been on the board of a theatre company when I first arrived in Vancouver but that was short-lived and was made up of mostly friends. So I really didn't know what to expect of this committee in terms of its make up and its functions.

The committee was made up of residents associated with 3 community centres in the downtown eastside: the Carnegie, Strathcona, and RayCam Community Centres. These three community centres service a varied public of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and the committee attempts to mimic this in its membership.

It was in the members of the committee that I found my first reward. When I started on the committee I was acquainted with only 2 other members. Three years later due to what we have shared on this committee, they are now good friends. I am also now friends with other committee members who I may never have had the opportunity to meet let alone get to know. What a bonus to make friends with others from outside your own circle and form this bond while fulfilling a commitment!

While making friends was one serendipitous benefit of my time spent volunteering, another was surely the inspiration I gleaned from reviewing the grant proposals. It has been really uplifting to read about the ideas that people in these 3 communities have put forward for enhancing the lives of those living in them. Over the past three years we have reviewed and supported proposals for such diverse activities as block parties, healing ceremonies, cooking classes for the elderly, canning workshops, supplying instruments for a homeless band, buying uniforms for a homeless soccer team, and a soccer ball give-away for underprivileged children.

Given the communities served by this particular committee, it was perhaps not surprising that many asked for funds to create events around food. However it was not just providing a meal that was the focus of these proposals. Food became a means of gathering people together in order to strengthen community by making participants feel a part of something bigger than themselves. The events allowed participants a respite from their struggles and the opportunity to connect with others in situations similar to their own.

The care and concern for others that I have seen expressed in the grant applications has given me a renewed conviction in the good of humanity. Also I have been thrilled with the imagination evident in the ideas presented for grants whether these proposals were funded or not.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly the biggest gain I have found through volunteering is the desire to do more of it. To this end I am continuing my work on the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program Committee and now lead a pace-group in my running clinic. In addition, I have joined several new organizations such as the CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch where I will be volunteering over the next year.

* on line Oxford English Dictionary

Ten Tips for Holiday Peace of Mind

S.O.S Day

This week CMHAVB participated in a very thoughtful tweet chat hosted by the AFSP regarding suicide prevention awareness and especially getting the word out about the 12th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day.

On Saturday, November 20, 2010

Over 275 simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and around the world. This unique network of healing conferences helps survivors connect with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss, and express and understand the powerful emotions they experience.

For those survivors of suicide loss who don't live near a conference site or who find it difficult to attend in person, the 90-minute broadcast is also available on the AFSP website from 1-2:30 p.m. EST on National Survivors of Suicide Day (Saturday, November 20, 2010) with a live online chat immediately following. You may also visit www.afsp.org/survivorday to view past programs at anytime.
 
500 people a year die by suicide in British Columbia.

Earlier in the fall, CMHAVB joined other local suicide prevention organizations in staging the first World Suicide Prevention Day Event in Vancouver. We were heartened by the number of people who came out to the event  and we were inspired by the stories of hope shared by survivors and suicide prevention professionals.
An initiative of  the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention , WSPD is an annual event observed on September 10 to raise awareness of the prevalence of suicide and how each of us can play a part in suicide prevention. The message is clear, and we think achievable - “What you need to know could save a life.” www.suicideprevention.ca

p.s.
If you are interested in the topic of mental health and into social media, consider joining the dialogue on Tuesdays 6 -7 pm PST #mhsm Transcripts of conversations are archived at http://wthashtags.com/Mhsm

Redesigning our Leisure Services - We would like to hear from you

We have been busy preparing surveys for our current Leisure Redesign. These surveys will provide us with information from the mental health community at large. Please complete the appropriate survey and forward the surveys to as many appropriate individuals/agencies as possible.

CMHA VB is undergoing a leisure redesign initiative to create an exciting new Leisure and Volunteer Program. The following surveys will provide us with vital input that will guide and shape the redesign process.

We are surveying four different segments of our community:

1) CMHA Participants
2) People with Lived Experience (non CMHA Participants)
Hard copies of these surveys are available at our offices.

3) Family Members
An online version of the Family Member survey is available at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GLS7HSM

4) Service Providers
An online version of the Service Provider survey is available at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FZJFJ9G

If you would like paper copies of the survey(s) with or without postage paid envelopes, please contact us at:
Email: redesign.vb@cmha.bc.ca
Phone: 604-872-3148 or 604-872-4902 ext 290

Surveys may be returned by:

Fax: 604-872-5934
Mail:
CMHA VB
175 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P4
Email: redesign.vb@cmha.bc.ca

We would like all surveys to be returned by Wednesday November 10th.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this process.

Brent Cross
Tess Rogalsky
Katy Vinson
CMHA Leisure Redesign Sub-Committee

A conversation about Depression Screening events

So, Sue, you’re excited about depression screening. What is this all about?

This is an opportunity; I would say a gentle opportunity, for people to get a snapshot of how they’re feeling. It works for a whole range of people. We find that often people come to a depression screening because they’ve already identified something’s wrong but they’re nervous about seeking help. Others are just curious about the process. Because we’ve been doing this type of screening publicly for now more then 10 years, we find that sometimes people come back to get some reassurance that they’re getting better, some validation. It’s a really unique opportunity to talk to someone else in a safe environment without having to invest a lot of time or personal emotional risk or money.

So what happens at a depression screening?

Individuals are invited to fill out a short questionnaire. It’s a tool that’s been specifically designed for public screening events. It started off with just depression, now we have it for anxiety, risky drinking and specific populations such as older adults or youth. The depression tools have been translated and used locally in Chinese, and we also have materials in Punjabi and Farsi.

Once someone fills out the questionnaire, what happens?

Their form is scored by a volunteer, and then they meet one on one with clinician (also a volunteer) who will help them interpret their results. The idea is to help people identify whether they need to seek treatment or whether they need more information or reassurance that what they are experiencing is within the normal range, part of the human condition, rather than a crisis. Over the years, we’ve had very few incidences where people were actually in an emergent situation. This is heartening – we find that people are seeking out information before things are getting to the point where they can’t cope. It’s also a way for concerned others to have their observations of their loved one evaluated.

So the same tool is used for a person with a potential challenge and for someone who is concerned about someone?

No. There is an adapted version for the concerned other. It’s their impression, what they observe very different from someone answering from a personal perspective. We take the concerned others just as seriously, because it indicates there is a struggle that is affecting more than just the individual with the potential mental health problem. That is one of the big things that is so devastating about mental health problems – it’s not just the individual but the people they’re connected with that feel the impact.

Do you have a success story?

Jay (not his real name) was new to Canada and had come out to a number of public talks. Some time later he came to a more specific talk about mental health, something where there was more personal engagement. By the time the next screening rolled around, he felt safe enough and connected enough to do a screening, which was carried out in his own language. His results weren’t anything drastic but he did indicate it was the catalyst to seek help from a Western practitioner. The screening gave him confidence to have that checked out as a health concern, not a shortcoming or something to be ashamed of. He is still connected to us, and still comes to our talks.

"Blue Monday" - a depresssion and anxiety screening event
Monday Nov 1 2010 from 5-8 pm at CMHA Vancouver Burnaby office at 175 West Broadway, Vancouver. Please call 604-872-4902 for more information . Space is limited so booking a specific time is recommended.

Frames of Mind - keep November 17th in mind

Shirley Rogers, Vancouver Coastal Mental Health Services (VCMHS) Coordinator of Family Support & Involvement has given us the heads up that the VCH Family Advisory Committee (FAC) will be co-sponsoring the November 17th screening of "Family Matters: Surviving the Bi-polar Journey" This is a timely documentary on the impact of mental illness within the family unit. It is directed, produced and sponsored by the same Canadian group who gave us "Not Just A Bad Day:Living with Bi-polar Disorder".

It would be great to see as many family members and those living with mental illness come out to the event.

Frames of Mind is a monthly film event utilizing film and video to promote professional and community education on issues pertaining to mental health and illness.

For more information, full reviews, trailers and ticketing information, visit http://www.framesofmind.ca/

SECURE CARE: PRO or CON

We think this sounds like a great opportunitiy for healthy dialogue around this emotionally charged subject. If you are not able to attend, please consider other avenues to weigh in.

SECURE CARE: PRO or CON

Temporarily Incarcerating Our Most At-Risk Youth
An Open Dialogue from Different Perspectives

…..what is yours?


Wednesday, Oct 20 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Douglas College
David Lam Coquitlam Campus
Room A1470

No Charge ot attend

THE DISCUSSION
Speaking to this issue from their points of view:


PRO:
Diane Sowden
Children of the Street Society

CON:
Jerome Bouvier, M.A.
POCOMO Youth Services

Historical Background and Context:
Dr. Rob Gordon
Director - School of Criminology, SFU

Moderator:
Dr. Colin Campbell
Criminology Department, Douglas College

To be followed by a Question & Answer period.

PRESENTED BY

Tri-Cities
Joint Family Court & Youth Justice Committee

For More Information: tricities.jfcyjc@gmail.com