Hopes & Dreams: Part of A Lifelong Process On The Road To Recovery

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1 For any Man or Woman Living with Mental Illness Issue 22, November & December 2014 Editor: Jo-Ann Paley Hopes & Dreams: Part of A Lifelong Process On The Road To Recovery by Jason Cheung We recently interviewed Jason Cheung, a very talented young man, and asked him a series of questions. Following are his responses. When did you first realize that you have a mental illness and how did you react to this news. When I just turned 16, I was having trouble fitting in at school. I realize I was not functioning like a normal 16 year old. I didn t know what it was but it was certainly some form of depression, or prolonged unnatural sadness that also affected my mood and worsened my functionality in my already poor motor skills. I just thought, well, too bad, so sad. You just have to suck it up and deal with it. I just thought to myself, an added negative trait to my already troubled life full of flaws. When asked how Jason first came in contact with the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and the Drama group he responded: It is a long journey which requires further explanation another time; I was further diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder in Through volunteering at my 1 st placement here at MSS, it eventually led me to the drama group a few years later. I dare venture that I am about 80-85% there in my recovery with the further 10-15% still requiring a lot of work and self-motivation to get there. On the Road to Recovery. on page 2 INSIDE On the Road to Recovery..P. 2 Partners In Awareness...P. 2 We have HOPES P.3 Family Support Group..P 3 Voice Hearers Program P.3 MSS Group Activities...P.4 MSS Group Activities Pictures.P.5 MSS Group Activities Pictures.P.6 MSS Peer Support Group Schedule P.7 MSS Women s Program Schedule. P. 8 If you would like to send something in for this newsletter please your submission to: Karen@mss.mb.ca or send it to The Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, Fort Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1C4 Message from the Editor We reserve the right to change the formatting of work received but we will not change the meaning of any work submitted.

2 Page 2 On the Road to Recovery, cont. from page 2 You can give in temporarily, but definitely don t give up. Recovery is possible only through persistence by love, compassion, hope and peace. This is the little wisdom that I would like to impart to anyone affected by an illness like this. Medications definitely helped me, and I have been fully compliant for the last twelve years. Psychotherapy and social supports are the other two, and social activities. We asked Jason what it was about the Drama group that keeps him coming back to MSS. Drama is a venue to refine my craft and practice positive socialization with a group of people whom you trust and care for. Friendship and understanding lies at the basis of creating the art that you love, and the ideas you can share with others without fear of reprisal and judgment. I am a performing artist mostly; I sing. I play the violin. I write mostly monologues and poetry right now. I have been writing seriously since 2005; almost 10 years. As for the violin, I picked it up again after almost a decade of hiatus, and I am surely happy to reclaim this part of me from my childhood days. I am able to present my very special monologue The Instruments of Precision, which is now published in the journal, The Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, for audiences around the Province of Manitoba. My musical and writing skills enhance my performances in terms of advocacy and promotion of mental health recovery. I was a database assistant for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Manitoba Division. I have managed their donor database. I was also their fundraising assistant. I am fluent in Chinese, in Cantonese, and less so in Mandarin. I can read, write, speak and listen in Chinese well. We asked Jason if there was anybody in particular who had influenced him the most during his lifetime so far. Two people come to my mind. One of them was a junior high school teacher; her name was Ms. J. from Southern Ontario who blessed me with a set of skills and compassion as I was growing up and first immigrated to Canada. Second, being Jane Burpee, right here at the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, who has been my drama teacher, a caring mentor and friend, for over a decade. What is your favourite quote? This is going to be my model of recovery. I created it. Recovery is possible through persistent love, compassion, hope and peace. Not only can you survive, you can also thrive and succeed beyond your imagination. Reflecting on your life what is the most meaningful for you? Being spiritual and in connection with God, and my Christian faith has helped me to go work through my issues and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think, though I have many shortcomings like others, that if you set your mind to it, and believe in yourself and other people around you, you will succeed. Failures are not ultimate failures. They are just dreams and aspirations not yet fulfilled. My biggest issues are based upon social anxiety and general anxiety. When I feel pressured, rushed or overwhelmed, they seem to trigger and even exasperate my mania and/or depression. I am still learning, but counselling, self-talk and self-regulation therapy helps me to cope. I also meditate and visualize, trying to return to a calming point. If you were asked to be a beacon of light what type of recovery treatment would you say works best at what age? Interesting you asked. One of my favourite songs is This Little Light of Mine, and I would suggest that singing and music, not necessarily therapy, is a great outlet for people experiencing a mental illness at any age. Partners in Awareness A peer support group made up of interesting dynamic professionals with schizophrenia. Are you a working professional looking for a safe inviting environment to share ideas for living a better life with schizophrenia? Come join us! Meet new people and share your experiences. Receive support from those who understand! You Don t Have to Do It Alone! 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg Contact: Sponsored by:

3 Page 3 for young people living with psychosis and schizophrenia If you are a person between 15 and 30 and are living with psychosis and schizophrenia, or schizo-affective disorder, H.O.P.E.S. or Hope and Opportunity through Peers, Empowerment and Support might be a place for you! 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg First Thursday of the Month 4:00 pm 5:00 pm Contact: the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society at FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP For families and friends of those experiencing schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychosis. Fourth Tuesday of every month Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Multipurpose Room 2014 Schedule Nov 25 Dec 23 For more information contact or info@mss.mb.ca

4 Page 4 MANITOBA SCHIZOPHREN IA SOCIETY ACTIVITIES Members of the MSS Peer Support Group and the MSS Women s Program celebrated Halloween with parties including games, quizzes and treats. Women s group activities also included an arts and crafts day when they made cards and decorations for Halloween. (see pictures on page 5). In November some of the Peer Support participants walked to the Cenotaph to acknowledge Remembrance Day, taking pictures along the way. (see pictures on page 6). Comments from the groups included: We had a really good time. It was fun and challenging doing the quizzes about Halloween. Arts and crafts are lots of fun and we enjoyed the treats. It s good to have a place to come to where we can talk to each other and feel supported.

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6 Page 6 The Holocaust Memorial on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building. The Cenotaph at Memorial Park Winnipeg 2014 Bitter Memories of Childhood Pictured to the left is a statue commemorating the victims of the enforced starvation during the Holodomor Famine Genocide in the Ukraine, Pictured below is the monument depicting the information about this story. Both of these monuments are located on the west side of the Manitoba Legislative building in Winnipeg.

7 Page 7 Manitoba Schizophrenia Society 4 Fort Street Winnipeg, MB Phone: Peer Support Group Schedule NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2014 Meeting Time: Wednesday, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Occasionally group start time may vary according to the program of the day.) Need to talk to someone about your life with schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder? Then consider attending the MSS PEER SUPPORT GROUP Date Activity November 5 Remembrance Day: What it means to us? - Meeting at MSS and then walk to the Cenotaph in Memorial Park 12 Movie Day 19 Nutrition and Mental Health 26 Outing to be confirmed December 3 Holiday party treats, games, music, singing in `the Multi Purpose Room 10 Traditional Chinese Medicine & Psychiatric Disorders 17 Families & Mental Illness 24 NO GROUP - HOLIDAYS 31 NO REGULAR GROUP HOLIDAYS (Optional: Meet at Second Cup on Edmonton St. & Graham Ave. for coffee at 1:00 p.m.)

8 Page 8 Women s Program Schedule November & December 2014 Meetings are held on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at 4 Fort Street (FACES) although sometimes we go on outings. Any women living with a mental illness are welcome to attend. Occasionally we are out of the office for an activity so please call to confirm your attendance at November Activity 6 Writers Group Theme Remembrance Day 13 Movie Day at FACES 20 Sharing about Stigma & Planning 27 Yoga Happy Holidays December 4 Holiday Potluck GROUP STARTS AT 12:30 P.M. FOR THIS OCCASION (If you are bringing something only bring enough for yourself and one other person.) 11 Topic Time Management 18 Sharing & Arts & Crafts MSS is Closed for the Holidays from December 19 th, 2014 until January 5 th, Next Women s Group January 8 th, 2015 Funded by: