The Sensitive Scoop Consumer Newsletter For any Woman living with Mental Illness Issue 63, May June 2010 Editor: Jo-Ann Paley The Sensitive Scoop is now available on the MSS Website at www.mss.mb.ca On Thursday, March 18 th, 2010, the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society Women s Group held a Potluck Fundraiser Dinner at 4 Fort Street for the fifth edition of Footsteps, a book of inspiring stories, poetry and artwork, written by women living with mental illness. Members of the Women s Program, family and friends contributed by donating prizes, wrapping gift baskets for the silent auction and preparing the food. The menu included chicken, veggie rolls, buns, veggies and dip, veggie chili, meat chili and turkey chili, plus dainties and fresh fruit for dessert. 1
We would like to say thank you to the following businesses and individuals who donated items and contributed in so many ways to the success of our recent Footsteps V Fundraiser: 2 Jefferson Food Store Mom s Perogy Factory Canada Safeway Maureen Coblyn Jo-Ann Paley Ruth McLean Alice Kaplan Donna Kaplen Sheila Levine Jean & Gerald Stople Glenda Johnson Crystal Michaluk Ollie Wazny Nancy Picard-Gatey Hein Tran Sangeetha Balachandra Thank You
Around a dozen ladies from the Women s Program went on a fun-filled retreat to the St. Mary s Road United Church on Thursday, April 29 th. The day started with Taking Care of You and Me, a group discussion focusing on Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Social/Emotional Mental health. Following which some ladies played cards while other participants prepared a meal consisting of vegetarian lasagna, baked chicken, garlic bread, salad, fruit and cake for desserts. In the afternoon we sang songs accompanied by the sweet sounds of Marie Harland s guitar. Later, Christine Schmidt, from ArtBeat Studio, taught the ladies pottery making. It was an enjoyable time of learning, relaxation and camaraderie. 3
Women s Program Schedule May June 2010 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 786-1616. May May 6 Focus Group with Marg Synyshyn at MSS (4 Fort Street) Writer s Group for the ladies who are not participants in the Focus Group. In the Writer s Group ladies are invited to bring in poems and stories to share with the group and get positive feedback. We then do a few short writing exercises for fun. May 13 th Movie Day at FACES - Come and relax as we enjoy a movie together. May 20th Walk in the park or in the mall if it rains. May 27 th Yoga This is a great way to increase flexibility and tone muscles. June June 3 June 10 June 17 June 24 Sharing and Planning This is your chance to give suggestions for future programs and planning for the summer Writer s Group Arts and Crafts Pot Luck Luncheon at FACES Group starts at 12:30 PM. Please call to confirm attendance at 786-1616. Funded by: 4
Name That Feeling Summer Camp UPCOMING MSS EVENTS - 2010 For Children seven years old and up who have a family member with a mental illness of any kind. Camp will run every morning or afternoon in July & August. This would be five mornings or afternoons for two hours at a time. Please call Jane to register at 786-1616. 19 TH Annual Golf for Schizophrenia Tournament Monday, June 21, 2010 Southwood Golf & Country Club Manitoba Schizophrenia Society Annual General Meeting Tuesday, July 6, 2010 1:30 PM Norwood Hotel 112 Marion St., St. Boniface Please call Sangeetha at 786-1616 on or before July 2 nd to confirm your attendance. 5
For Your Health and Healing In all my research doing these Newsletters, I don t think I have ever come across a site that can help so many people with different types of mental illnesses. The site is called the Healthy Place Mental Health Newsletter. In mid April, their topic was Schizophrenia, Support, Treatment and Stigma of Mental Illness. You can read this newsletter online. If you want to know what s happening on the Healthy Place site this week: go to http://www.healthyplace.com Share Your Mental Health Experiences: Share your thoughts on stigma of mental illness, living with schizophrenia, or any mental health subject, or respond to other people s audio posts, by calling our toll-free number (1-888-883-8045). OR: You can listen to what other people are saying by clicking on the gray title bars inside the widgets located on the Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences homepage, the HealthyPlace homepage, and the Healthy Place Support network homepage. If you have any questions, write us at: info AT healthyplace.com If you know of anyone who can benefit from this newsletter or the HealthyPlace.com site, I hope you ll pass this on to them, says Deborah from the Community Partner Team. You can also share the newsletter on any social network you belong to (like facebook, stumbleupon, or digg) by clicking the links below. For updates throughout the week, follow Healthy Place on Twitter or become a fan of Healthy Place on Facebook. Deborah has the last word here: Healthy Place.com America s Mental Health Channel. When you re at HealthyPlace.com, you re never alone. http://www.healthyplace.com Are you a member of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society? If not please contact Sangeetha at 786-1616. Consumer membership - $5.00 per year. 6