past year at MDO and a discussion about the year to come.

Transcription

1 Volume #4 April 2008 Mood Disorders Ottawa Mutual Support Group (MDO) c/o CMHA, Bank St., Ottawa, ON K1H 8K7 MDO Info-line / mdosupport@hotmail.com Upcoming Guest Speakers at MDO s Monthly Information Meeting Tue May 20/08: A presentation by the Ottawa Hospital Mobile Crisis Team and the Mental Health Crisis Line. See Page 3. Tue June 17/08: No Guest Speaker. MDO s Annual General Meeting instead. July & August: Summer break. Meetings resume in September. Monthly Information Meeting is held on the 3 rd Tuesday of every month (September to May), Southminster Church, 15 Aylmer Ave., 3 rd Flr., free parking and entrance at rear of building, Bus #1 out front. Upcoming Discovery Events Tue Apr 22/08 - Tea Party Event Tue May 6/08 Monthly Movie Night Thu May 8/08 Museum of Civilization Tue May 13/08 Tea Party Event Sat May 17/08 Tulip Festival Tue May 27/08 Tea Party Event Sat May 31/08 Mini Golf For more details, see Calendar, Pages 7-8, or visit mooddisordersottawa.ncf.ca. Minto Run for Reach in support of MDO On Apr 13/08, a small band of members joined the annual walk and raised over $3, for MDO! Many thanks to all our participants and donors! AGM June 2008 We invite all MDO members to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) Tuesday, June 17 th, to elect our Board of Directors and amend our constitution. A list of the positions and amendments will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting. Join us for a report on the past year at MDO and a discussion about the year to come. Help us Keep MDO Alive and Kicking Most members know that MDO is completely volunteer-run. However, you might not know that we are in need of volunteers and Board members. Volunteering can be an important part of recovery for you and others. So please consider becoming part of the MDO team. Mark June 17 th (our AGM) on your calendars and plan to join us for refreshments at 6:45pm, and meeting to follow, 7:15 9pm. Come learn about the many volunteering opportunities. Logo Contest Deadline Extended You could win a prize of $100 and see your masterpiece on MDO s Website and literature. The deadline for this contest is now May 15, See contest details on Page 6. Monthly Movie Night Cost Increase Movie Night has been a successful event for MDO with consistent increases in attendance. To keep this event running, movie cards will cost $2 per person starting July Demand for WRAP Program MDO hopes to offer a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Program. If you would be interested in attending WRAP with MDO, please call or mdosupport@hotmail.com. What is WRAP? Find out on Pages 3 & 4. 1

2 MDO Outreach On Apr 22/08, MDO s Outreach Team gave a presentation on mood disorders to the Catholic Women s League of Manotick. If you know of a group or organization that wishes to learn more about mood disorders, call or mdosupport@hotmail.com. BOARD NEWS Activity Survey Results Thanks to all members who completed MDO s Activity Survey. Our Discovery 2000 Committee now has ample information to organize this year s activities. Members Top 10 choices: 1. Sugar bush 2. Hiking in the Gatineau Hills 3. Du Barry s Chinese Buffet 4. Tucker s Marketplace Buffet and/or Swiss Chalet 5. Ottawa River boat cruise 6. Double decker bus ride 7. Winterlude ice sculptures 8. Lac Leamy fireworks 9. Beach Day Picnic 10. Museum of Civilization We hope to bring you all of these activities and more over the next 12 months. Search for New Treasurer & Auditor We wish to thank Ross Malegus for staying on as treasurer to the end of the summer. In the meantime, the hunt for a new MDO treasurer is on. We are also looking for an auditor. This is an ideal role for a retired chartered accountant willing to volunteer his or her services. If you are interested in either of these positions or would like more information, please call or mdosupport@hotmail.com MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES Send your resource, event or support suggestions to mdosupport@hotmail.com or mail to MDO (See Submissions Page 5). Psychiatric Survivor s of Ottawa (PSO) Women s Group, Thursday s at 1:30pm. This weekly discussion group offers women support, friendship and inspiration. For more info, please call PSO or visit -Contributed by Catherine W. New Mental Health Website: The site has multimedia resources, including audio segments, treatment guidelines and podcasts, to help educate consumers about mental health. Visit the site to learn more about these exciting resources, and how they can help you in your search for mental health! For more information, call (416) or epauze@nnmh.ca. --From NewsToGo, the Ontario Peer Development Initiative (OPDI) online newsletter. To subscribe, visit opdi@opdi.org SUGGESTED READINGS Beyond Crazy: Journeys through Mental Illness, by Julia Nunes & Scott Simmie, is an extremely thoughtprovoking book relating to personal struggle, triumph, heartbreak and hope. I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with a mental illness as they would easily enjoy and relate, in some way, to these short, very personal tales of life. It would also be an eye-opener for people who are unfamiliar with mental illness and who tend to ride along on the stigma bandwagon. Beyond Crazy goes in 2

3 depth with average Canadians and also many Canadian celebrities to show the true side of people living with these disorders. From musicians, athletes, authors and prominent political figures, a vast variety of disorders are covered through the eyes and heart of the beholder. This book will leave a lasting impression and a wonderful sense of inspiration and insight. --Contributed by Travis Carter About MDO s May 2008 Guest Speaker Join us for a presentation by the Mental Health Crisis Line (MHCL) and the Ottawa Hospital Mobile Crisis Team (OHMCT). These two organizations work together to respond to people experiencing mental health issues, such as crisis, psychosis, severe depression or anxiety, or suicidal thoughts (not needing immediate medical attention). If you or someone you know needs immediate medical attention, call 911. The Crisis Line handles 85% of calls and refers about 15% to the Mobile Crisis Team. Services are targeted to individuals, 16 years of age or older, living in Ottawa or the surrounding area. MHCL is the first point of public access to the mental health crisis response system. Services include tollfree, bilingual telephone support, 24-7, (staffed by trained volunteers and professionals), screening, assessment, referrals, crisis support, suicide intervention and transfer to local emergency services. To learn more about accessing crisis services in Ottawa, please join us May 20 th for MDO s Monthly Information Meeting. --Contributed by Paul Charbonneau Now Playing Monthly Movie Night! 1st Tuesday of each month World Exchange Plaza, cafeteria 2 nd flr., between 6:00-6:45pm Purchase a movie pass for $1. Bring your membership card or join/renew at event. $2 starting July 08. Facilitator: Howard Waserman RECAP: MDO s April Guest Speaker Thank you to Doreen Parker, MDO s April guest speaker, for an informative and inspiring presentation on the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). For those of you who missed it, Ms. Parker is a registered nurse with 34 years of experience working in the mental health field. She is a certified Psychiatric Rehabilitator with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, where she facilitates the WRAP program. WRAP is a self-management recovery system designed to decrease symptoms, increase personal responsibility and improve the quality of life for people who experience psychiatric difficulties. This self-designed plan teaches you how to keep yourself well, to identify and monitor your symptoms and to use safe, simple personal skills, supports, and strategies to reduce symptoms. WRAP is not meant to replace, but to compliment professional health support and medications, although in 3

4 more and more cases, people are able to shift the balance of care to this selfmanagement approach over time. Enthusiasm for this program has been overwhelming. WRAP is a monitoring system devised in 1997, based on a resource book developed by Mary Ellen Copeland and her staff. To learn more about the WRAP program, visit the Copeland Centre Website at -Contributed by C. Perkins The Rise of the WRAP Movement You may not know what it is, but mark my words, WRAP is an acronym you will be hearing more frequently in mental health circles. Even George Bush has given WRAP his approval, and he hasn t even been diagnosed... yet. Jokes aside, WRAP s reputation is well-earned and the reasons for its ascension are solid. The recent presidential nod is an indication of how far this humble grassroots movement has come since its birth a decade ago. And with depression quickly becoming a top world health concern (see box below), it s easy to see why interest in low-cost, consumer-driven approaches like WRAP is growing. So what is WRAP? The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is essentially about empowerment. It is usually delivered in small doses, once a week for weeks. More precisely, it is a program that helps people create practical plans to manage illness and promote wellness. WRAP is not a magic bullet. Like most things in life, you get what you put into it. The program was created by Mary Ellen Copeland and her staff, who interviewed hundreds of people to find out what strategies they used to cope with their illnesses and get their lives back. Copeland also drew on her own experience with bipolar disorder and that of her late mother, who recovered after spending eight years in a mental hospital where doctors had deemed her a hopeless case. Fast-forward to today the WRAP approach is making its way into mental health systems across North America and is now being promoted as one of the best practices to support recovery. Indeed, the concept of applying the term recovery to mental illness is a shift for some, but WRAP is also about shifting perceptions. There are many factors behind the rise of WRAP--the most important being that it works. Perhaps it is also that the program was developed by and for consumers that makes it so accessible and palatable. While WRAP offers sense, order and self-worth, a voice of reason when reason is temporarily lost, the perception shifts are not as easy to convey. Visit or take the course to find out for yourself. Contributed by J. Cooligan Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, currently affecting 121 million people. The 12 month prevalence of depression in Ontario is 6% for women and 3% for men. The World Health Organization predicts that depression will be one of the leading causes of disease burden in developed countries by the year (From the Ontario Women s Health Council / Ministry of Health & Long Term Care, 2006.) NOTE: MDO hopes to offer a 10-week WRAP program this summer. If you are interested in taking WRAP with MDO, please call or mdosupport@hotmail.com. POETRY & PROSE Community I built a wall a wall around myself to protect my inner child I ran away one day to find security 4

5 and all I could find was a world full of walls and like Humpty Dumpty climbing his own wall I fell apart and broke down There was no one around to glue the fragmented pieces And I went on my journey singing in the rain Praying to the stars, hurt and trusting no one As I saw the world - around me - cold and uninviting In my ivory tower there is but me, but it is cold and empty with frozen tears as only company and then - one day- I moved away. a new surrounding - a new community little by little I made my way entered a large building made for the community Alone tired and hungry, afraid to be with others how can I trust the person behind the smiles having lost the key to my heart - to my soul so many seasons ago -By V. Boisvenu Dilemma Little by little As a child learning his first steps I give myself permission And I give the community a second chance And as the child afraid of falling And not sure if he can trust again I take a deep breath and I extend my hand. ---By V. Boisvenu Therapy that lets you laugh your troubles away! Psy-comedy returns next issue Send jokes or funny true-life stories that relate to mental health/illness, max. 100 words, to Paul (pcharbon@rogers.com) or mail to MDO (See Submissions Section). More Support MDO is hoping to add another peer support group meeting for adults with mood disorders (Charlie s Rap Group). Currently, we meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, year-round. Help us determine if there is enough demand for three meetings per month. Leave a message at or mdosupport@hotmail.com. Stress Reduction 101 By Erin Kuhns Look for the second installment of Stress Reduction 101 in our June issue. SUBMISSIONS TO MOOD FOR THOUGHT We welcome your submissions. Please to mdosupport@hotmail.com or mail to MDO c/o CMHA, Bank St., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8K7. Please include your name, address and phone number. Next submission deadline is May 18/08. Please indicate if you wish to have your name withheld. *We reserve the right to refrain from publishing materials submitted and to edit submissions for length and style. The views and opinions expressed in Mood for Thought do not necessarily reflect those of MDO or CMHA. 5

6 MDO is having a logo contest. Why do we need a logo? A logo will distinguish Mood Disorders Ottawa (MDO) from similar organizations and help define our identity within the various communities (online, geographic, mental health, consumer/survivor, medical). What kind of logo do we want? We are looking for a strong visual representation that people will automatically associate with MDO. Contest Prize: $ to the winning designer(s) and the recognition that goes with seeing your masterpiece on MDO s Website, letterhead and literature. Logo Contest Rules/Guidelines: 1. The logo contest is open to MDO s general membership and Board members. 2. You may enter up to five (5) logo designs. 3. Deadline for entries is May 15, Please mail entries to: MDO Logo Contest, c/o CMHA, Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8K7, OR to: mdosupport@hotmail.com 4. Entries should be submitted on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper. Only flat artwork is accepted. Art created in Illustrator or a comparable computer program will also be accepted. If using this type of program please scan a copy and as an attachment. 5. The logo may include the letters MDO, either integrated within the design or as accompanying text. 6. No animated or clip art images will be considered. 7. Artists may use color in their logo but it must also be presentable in black and white. If choosing a color design, please include one copy of the design in color and one copy in black and white. 8. Only original artwork free of copyright characters will be accepted. 9. Entries will be shortlisted* for display at our 2008 Annual General Meeting in June. A vote by members in attendance at the AGM that night will choose the winning logo. * 10. Please feel free to submit a brief note explaining how your logo represents MDO. Disclaimers: 1. MDO reserves the right to modify the winning logo. MDO will attempt to work with the original artist(s) to make these changes when possible. 2. MDO reserves the right to change logos as and when necessary. 3. The winning entry becomes the property of MDO and can be used freely by MDO. Entries will not be returned. 4. *All entries will be juried by a Board-appointed panel of MDO members and at least one non-member with graphic arts experience. Please direct any questions to Nancy Czuboka at , or nancyczuboka@sympatico.ca Have fun and Good Luck to All Participants! 6

7 MOOD DISORDERS OTTAWA MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUP (MDO) C/O CMHA, Bank St., Ottawa, ON K1H 8K7. MDO Info-line APRIL / MAY 2008 CALENDAR SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT APRIL 1 Movie Night 2 Board Mtg Sugarbush Event 13 Minto Run for Reach 7 8 Support Group Mtg. **** Tea Party Monthly Info Mtg Support Group Mtg. **** Tea Party Family Support Grp SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT MAY Movie Nite 7 Board Mtg. 8 Museum of Civilization Support Grp. Mtg. **** Tea Party Monthly Info Mtg Family Support Grp Logo Contest ends Tulip Festival Support Group Mtg. **** Tea Party Mini-Golf 7

8 MDO S DISCOVERY 2000 EVENTS Please bring your membership card or complete form/payment at event. See membership fees below. Discovery events are subsidized for members with mood disorders only. All others pay full price. Tue May 6/08 - Monthly Movie Night - Meet the 1 st Tuesday of every month at World Exchange Plaza, cafeteria 2nd level, between 6PM - 6:45. Purchase a movie card for $1. Use it at any Empire theatre. Call theatres for shows/ times. Facilitator: Howard W NOTE NEW MEETING TIME IS 6:00PM - 6:45PM. Movie card s will cost $2 starting July Tue Apr 22/08 & Tue May 13/08 - Tea Party Event - The Ottawa Storytellers at The Tea Party Restaurant, 111 York St., the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month. Meet at 6:30pm. Creative narratives on the hour/half hour, tea/coffee and a treat on us. Buses #3 & #4. Facilitator: Peggy Chivers-Wilson. Thu May 8 - Museum of Civilization - Meet in 6:30pm. Please sign up for this event by calling or mdosupport@hotmail.com. Bus: #8 from Rideau Centre (Albert St.) NOTE: THIS EVENT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 4. Sat May 17 - Tulip Festival Join us for a walk in the park and a little picnic. Details to come. Please sign up for this event. Sat May 31 - Mini Golf - details to come. Please sign up for this event. MDO GROUPS/MEETINGS Our groups/meetings are free and wheelchair accessible. PEER SUPPORT GROUP - For adults with mood disorders. Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month, 7-9pm, CMHA, 4th Flr, 1355 Bank St. Facilitators: Yvan /Howard ORLEANS FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP - For adult relatives and friends of people with mood disorders. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month, 7-9pm, Orleans United Church, 1111 Orleans Blvd. (at Fortune Blvd.) Facilitator: Jackie MONTHLY INFORMATION MEETING - Open to all. Meets 3rd Tuesday of each month (Sep-May), 7:30-9:15pm. Guest speaker, Q&A & refreshments. Southminster Church, 3rd Flr, 15 Aylmer., at Canal & Bank St., free parking/entrance at rear. Tue May 20/08: Joint Presentation by the Ottawa Hospital Mobile Crisis Team & the Mental Health Crisis Line. Tue June 17/08: MDO Annual General Meeting We invite all members to attend to elect the Board of Directors, vote on our logo, learn about volunteering opportunities and discuss plans for the coming year. Refreshments served 6:45pm, followed by meeting, 7:15-9pm. Monthly Information Meeting breaks for the summer (no meeting in July and August). Tune into Sound Mind Radio 9:30-10am, CKCU 93.1FM. Listen live online at Call Heather at or soundmindradio@yahoo.com. MDO MEMBERSHIP FEES Low income individual = $3; Family = $5; Regular income individual = $5; Family = $8 Please note that a family membership does not subsidize children (18yrs & under) or non-consumer family members. Pick up a membership form at any of our meetings/events or leave a request on the MDO Info-line or download form from our Website: mooddisordersottawa.ncf.ca. 8