Diamond Doug Keith s Search for Creative Ways to Deal with his Depression

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1 For any Man or Woman Living with Mental Illness Issue 30, March & April 2016 Editor: Jo-Ann Paley Diamond Doug Keith s Search for Creative Ways to Deal with his Depression Diamond Doug Keith (pictured above), shared a bit of his life story living with Depression & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Diamond Doug Keith grew up in rural Manitoba suffering a difficult childhood which lead to an eventual diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression. As he got older he used art as a release and escape from his situation. Art became his passion by Jo-Ann Paley & Karen Kaplen and was always there throughout his life and continues to this day. No matter what life threw at him he could always depend on art, even when there was nothing else to depend on. In his pre-teens he developed a very serious and dark depression throughout this period carrying on into his adult life. The depression worsened at different periods of his life. He could not shake it off. Now Doug is a Western painter, a Cowboy Cartoonist for Leanin Tree cards, and an internationally known Cowboy Poet. He has performed at the Juno s and in Las Vegas, the Calgary Stampede, Manitoba Stampede at Morris, and at the Dauphin Country Fest Main Stage. He has been featured in a documentary called Cowboys, Heroes and Horses. Doug developed a Parkinson like tremor in his hand which made art difficult but not impossible. He was down physically for a long time after an incident training an abused horse. Creative Ways... continued on p. 2 INSIDE Creative Ways continued...p.2 Partners In Awareness..P.3 Treating Mental Illness with CBT..P.3 Peer Support & Women s Group Activities in pictures. P.4 H.O.P.E.S. Support Group.P.5 Voice Hearers Support Group..P.5 Family Support Group..... P.5 Honest, Open, Proud. P.6 Focusing on You. P.7 Information Session for Newly Diagnosed Loved Ones..... P.8 MSS Peer Support Group Schedule... P.9 MSS Women s Program Schedule.....P.10 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 Creative Ways cont. from p.1 He ended up in hospital for five and a half months with serious injuries to his knee. That ended Diamond Doug Keith, pictured above, with his picture, Adi s Bridle. his horse training career. His depression worsened because of isolation due to these circumstances. According to Doug, No matter how hard you try to push depression down, it is always lurking in the shadows waiting to rear its ugly head. Doug, in an effort to find coping skills, entered into the Short Term Assessment Treatment Program (STAT) at the Health Sciences Centre. It was there that he met Judith Harper, a psychiatric nurse and therapist, who helped in changing his life. Judith knew that one of Doug s biggest problems was isolation and as we know, isolation is not good for anyone, especially those who suffer from mental illness. It was Judith who introduced him to the ArtBeat Program where nine artists are given the tools and studio space for a six month period to produce their art. Working in a community of artists, all suffering from some sort of mental illness, is extremely freeing in that you are able to share experiences and creative ideas. Doug created some of his best art ever at ArtBeat and continues to be involved as an Alumni of ArtBeat at Studio Central. ArtBeat as a therapeutic tool is unique and effective. Doug first developed a unique way of branding his paintings at ArtBeat Studio. He uses a one-inch by one-inch box that is painted into his work to indicate that how he looks on the outside does not necessarily show what is really going on inside. People frequently hide mental illness. In his paintings he shows how we try to shove our illness into a small box but the depression is always there. Doug is very thankful to Lucille and Nigel Bart and the entire ArtBeat family for what they have done for him. ArtBeat Studio s Vision quoted below has positively affected Doug s battle with mental illness. To enable consumers of mental health services to engage in artistic expression that promotes recovery, Diamond Doug Keith, pictured above, with a group of his paintings. empowerment and community. Through their vision and creative community it empowers their artists to work without the burden of stigma and it enables the artists working there to once again believe that anything is possible. Doug portrayed that message of how we lost that belief in his painting: Adi s Bridle. Doug painted a two year old girl believing that her little arms could reach up and put the bridle on the horse s head. She believed that anything is possible. In our journey to recovery we begin to regain that belief. Doug also escapes into his Cowboy Poetry and Cowboy Cartooning using his unique brand of humour as a therapy and an escape from his depression. He has been the feature of several nationally broadcast documentaries, including the award nominated documentary Cowboys, Heroes and Horses. He was featured in an episode of the television show Canadian Cowboy Country, and was the focus of a segment in the two hour Calgary Stampede finals special on CBC television. Through programs like STAT and ArtBeat Studio, people living with a diagnosis of mental illness have found that these are creative ways to enhance their lives, where traditional treatments may not have been as effective for everyone. You can meet Doug once every four to six weeks after his show at Studio Central or you can find him on his website at: He is also on FaceBook at The Art of Diamond Doug Keith. For more information about the STAT program ask your physician for a referral. You can reach the ArtBeat Studio website at

3 Treating Mental Illness with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Summarized by Jo-Ann Paley In conjunction with the Canadian Psychological Association Psychology Awareness Month, on February 17, 2016, Dr. Colleen Murphy, a Psychologist with the WRHA, Early Psychosis Prevention Intervention Service (E.PP.I.S.), spoke to the MSS Peer Support group about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or C.B.T. in the treatment of mental illness. What is C.B.T.? Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a form of talk therapy whereby people learn to change their way of thinking by making associations between thoughts, feelings and actions. Here are some thoughts from the people who attended this informative gathering. Sometimes people are afraid of disappointing others. When you apply cognitive behavioural thoughts to scenarios you may come up with ideas about how your thoughts can lead to accurate emotions, then to swift and logical behaviours. In a scenario with a thought like I m late, you might be afraid to disappoint people, but it is okay. Looking at t he same scenario another way you might think: How else might I react if I am concerned about not disappointing others? You may need to make better choices, slow down or even stop and enjoy listening to the radio. These things are okay to do and you should feel free of guilt without feeling that you are disappointing others. You may think that you will be avoiding stressful, anxious and worried feelings by running or taking a short cut to get where you are going when you are running late. If disappointing others is your concern, and you are speeding to get somewhere, by slowing down you may make better decisions and less accidental mistakes. Another idea You may think you are being rude when whatever you express and think is different to what everyone else thinks but when you stop and try to analyze why you are letting this issue cause you stress in the first place, this may help to alleviate your stress. CBT can also be applied to other scenarios. Other major stressful scenarios, according to the Peer Support Group, are being in debt, fear of the unknown, having bad health, moving, divorce and marriage. How can you cope with these stressors? Eating healthily, having naps and listening to relaxing music are some solutions. Using art as a therapy, getting out and about, or watching television can be relaxing behaviours. Dr. Murphy asked the Peer Support Group to come up with a scenario Partners in Awareness A peer support group made up of interesting dynamic professionals with schizophrenia. Receive support from those who understand! You Don t Have to Do It Alone! 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg Next Meeting Thursday, April 14, Room E 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Contact: Sponsored by: Page 3 illustrating a stressful situation we could all relate to. This is what people came up with. In the scenario someone you know passed you on the street and they didn t say hello to you. Your feelings may be They re rejecting me. I m not good enough. They re a snob. They re going to attack me. You may feel emotionally anxious, paranoid, angry or sad. You learn to keep your distance, ignore them, and possibly feel like yelling at someone or cancelling your plans. This scenario may be totally imagined. If so, here are some logical ways of behaviour that you may learn to cope with stress of this kind: Just say to yourself They didn t recognize me. Try to go on with your day without having to ask if you could have done things differently. Could you have said something nice to them and smiled? Thinking logically, they may be having a bad day, or be ill. They may be distracted, or sad or just not interested in you. You could try reacting by feeling compassionate and neutral towards a person in this situation. Using CBT, three things: thoughts, behaviours and emotions, can be changed in a positive way by having social supports. These may include talking to friends, family, doctors, and staff at MSS, or other organizations such as the Crisis Intervention Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Klinic, or the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. Here you can learn how to have positive thoughts like I can do it or similar self-affirming ideas. Thank you to Dr. Murphy for this illuminating discussion.

4 Page 4 During the past couple of months the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society Peer Support Group and the Women s Support group members enjoyed some socializing to celebrate Valentine s Day, a Games Day and an Arts and Crafts day, One of the highlights of the season was having Dr. Colleen Murphy, (top picture below) a psychologist, from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Early Psychosis Intervention Service, come to speak to the MSS Peer Support Group on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

5 Page 5 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 schizoaffective 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. The Last Tuesday of every month Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m Schedule May 31 Sept 27 June 28 Oct 25 July 26 Nov 29 Aug 30 Dec 27 Multipurpose Room For more information contact or info@mss.mb.ca

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7 Will be continuing the program: Wellness Program: Promoting Healthy Living With emphasis on Exercise, Nutrition and Positive Self-image At the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society Every Thursday At 4 Fort Street (at the corner of Fort Street and Assiniboine Avenue) From 3:00pm to 4:00pm Please register by calling or Karen@mss.mb.ca

8 An Information Session for Newly Diagnosed Loved Ones and Their Families Recently Experiencing Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder or Psychosis This 90 minute session will include learning about: Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder Psychosis Recovery Mental health services Maintaining your own health Manitoba Schizophrenia Society services Meeting the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m Fort Street in Winnipeg *This is an excellent gateway to other MSS Services.

9 Page 9 Manitoba Schizophrenia Society 4 Fort Street Winnipeg, MB Phone: Need to talk to someone about your life with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Then consider attending the PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN AND WOMEN On Wednesday afternoons SCHEDULE FOR MARCH & APRIL 2016 Meeting Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Unless otherwise indicated) DATE ACTIVITY MARCH APRIL 2 GENERAL DISCUSSION & COPING 9 GAMES DAY 16 MOVIE DAY 23 SCHIZOPHRENIA SYMPTOM CONTROL 30 BOWLING AT CORONATION LANES (Pre-register with Karen at ) 6 BUDGETING 13 MOVIE DAY 20 DR. MICHAEL ELEFF, PSYCHIATRIST - SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM 27 EMPLOYMENT AND LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA Funded by:

10 Page 10 WOMEN S PROGRAM SCHEDULE MARCH APRIL 2016 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 MARCH ACTIVITY 3 Writers Group - Theme: Friendship 10 Movie Day 17 St. Patrick s Day Party games, music, treats 24 Potluck Holiday Lunch - GROUP WILL START AT 12:30 31 Armchair Yoga APRIL 7 Writers Group Theme: Spring & Planning Session 14 Arts & Crafts 21 Medications & Dealing with Side Effects 28 Bowling at Dakota Lanes 1085 St. Mary s Road Please be there by 1:30 p.m. Bus 14 from down town