Family Forum Newsletter Summer 2014

VOLUME 4 The Family Advisory Council of Regional Mental Health Care London and Southwest Center for Forensic Mental Health Care

Family Forum Newsletter

Summer 2014

1. Clara’s big ride

2. Clara’s big ride continued

3. Framing the Phoenix

4. Book review

5. Adaptive Cooking Classes

6. Upcoming events

7. Services for families

8. Events calendar

Inside This Issue

On Wednes-

day, March 19, 2014, a cold drizzly grey day in London, On-tario, was brightened by the inspirational arrival and visit of multi medal Olympic cham-pion, Clara Hughes. Clara is sponsored by Bell Canada to promote and help eradicate the stigma of mental illness and promote mental wellness. As representative of the Family Advisory Council, three members, Nancy Grady, Liz Taylor and Laurel Lamarre were privileged to attend the event and promote services available to families at Regional Mental Health Care. We had a display amongst many mental health agencies

and were able to network with other service representa-

tives. Some of these services include:

Distress Centre

CMHA London – Middlesex Branch

Addiction Services of Thames Valley

Alzheimer Society

Family Services Thames Valley – Transitions – support

through family job loss (new program)

London Accessibility Advisory Committee

Mind your Mind

Mental Health for kids

Thames Valley District School Board/London Middlesex

Catholic School Board

Let’s Talk about Clara’s Big Ride Event by Laurel Lamarre and Nancy Grady


We were inspired by the honesty and personal struggles

and trials that were shared by local champions who have lived experience of mental illnesses. Young 15 year old, Dawson, motivated all attendees to be open about mental health and lives the talk by sharing his journey of both leukemia and anorexia nervosa. Dawson as-pires to be either an oncologist or a motivational speaker (of which, he already demonstrates) and ignited the evening’s event.

Paige, the second presenter, holds the prestigious award of

Young Entrepreneurs in Canada also known as Top 20 under 20. Paige shared her ongoing struggle with Generalized Anxi-ety Disorder since adolescence. She developed a series of workshops on mental health titled Direct Resources and Edu-

cation Alternatives and Mental Health – DREAM - for high school students because she found there were no supports available throughout her high school years.

Paige is currently studying at Mohawk College and is aspiring to have a career in Broadcast Journalism.

Laurie St- Pierre, although symptom free for 13 years, elaborated on her experience with psychosis that began

in her teens. By the time she was in her thirties, she recognized the need for help and treatment and with the support of her best friend and husband of 13 years; she has found a balance of mental, spiritual and physical wellness. Fortunately she has a multi-faceted career as an Employment Counsellor with Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), a private practice as a Life Coach and a Reflexologist since 2007. Laurie is currently studying to become an Or-dained Ministerial Counsellor.

Clara Hughes rebounded onto the stage with her dynamic personality and em-

braced all the attendees and her fellow presenters with her candid and warm words. The mandate of Clara’s road trip is to reach as many youth and families as possible to unsilence the desperate call for mental health and wellness. Clara left this successful event knowing she had made a positive impact on the attendees. Her next speaking engagement would be to speak with 400 grade 9 and 10 high school students from the London area. Clara and her team are biking across Canada, to encourage long-term positive change in communities in regards to mental illness. Clara will stop in 95 communities, and travel 12,000 km throughout the 110 day ride. Her final destination is scheduled for July 1st, in Ottawa on Par-liament Hill.

The London and Distress Centre is to be applauded for the high level of organiza-

tion and skillful community engagement. The involvement of Goodlife Fitness facilitated open dialogue on suicide awareness using colored balloons and inspir-ing mindfulness about mental illness and suicide and how mental health affects us all and its far reaching affects.

To summarize, the buzz in the room was contagious; let’s keep on talking openly about mental health.

Left: Liz Taylor, Nancy Grady and Laurel Lamarre with display of services

available to families at Regional Mental Health Care -

Clara Hughes thanking all who attended


Framing the Phoenix is a mental health art exhibi-

tion, and an initiative of the Mental Health Promotions

Committee. This committee is a network of community

agencies, volunteers and consumers, aiming to reduce

the stigma associated with mental illness. The event

takes place each year in May, at The Arts Project, located

on Dundas Street. This year marked this event’s 10th an-

niversary, and the event was extended for an extra week

with additional activities. To celebrate the 10th year of this

event, musicians and poets, as well as an interactive lab-

yrinth, were added to commemorate the event. Artists,

who contribute their pieces to the show, are those who

have lived experience, and/or are supporting someone

with a mental illness.

This year, the event was held from May 6, until May 17,

2014. On Tuesday May 6th, the event was marked by an

evening reception which included piano music by Nicky

Kourtelessi, and in honour of the 10th anniversary, there

were refreshments and a decorative cake was served.

The following week, on Tuesday May 13th, music was

provided by musicians from Music Balm, and individuals

read their poetry. Music Balm is an informal gathering of

musicians touched by mental illness, who come together

each week at Old East Studios to jam. This group also

performs at various mental health events throughout the

year; and are becoming renowned in supporting musi-

cians with mental health concerns. What great model

they are, to empower others who are touched by mental

illness. People expressed how much they enjoyed the

music provided by the Music Balm musicians.

Poet writer Patricia Hen-

ry, read her published

poem “Out of the Box”

on the evening of May

13th, a poem which has

also been featured in

the March editions of

the Patient Voice, and

the Family Forum News-

letters. The audience

was very receptive and

enjoyed the poetry.

Congratulations to Patri-

cia for taking the time to

share her poetry with us. Also stepping forward to read

her poem, was Linda Reid, who shared her own poem

about trauma, and its effects on her young children.

There was a variety of artwork displayed around the

room; from all different mediums, including acrylic, self

portraits, sketches and textile. There were pieces from all

different ages, from the very young to older adults. There

were also black and white pieces on display from the stu-

dents at Lucas Secondary School in London. All these

extremely talented artists are to be commended for their

pieces, and their efforts to

help us succeed in elimi-

nating stigma associated

with mental health.

Linda Reid recites her poem

Singer Gloria Ellis and Kyle Peterkin on guitar

Patricia Henry reads her poem

“Out of the Box”.

By Laurel Lamarre and Rachel Hudson


The Real Connection Between Mood and Food

A book review by Barbara Emmons

In the book Potatoes not Prozac, author Kathleen

DesMaisons, Ph.D., states that blood sugar highs

and lows can take a serious toll on our mental health as well as

our physical health. She outlines the connection between food,

sugar cravings and our bodies’ ability to regulate two key neuro-

transmitters : serotonin and beta-endorphins.

She recommends that we limit sugar and highly processed foods. She gives a list of healthy, whole foods

which naturally help to regulate blood sugar, when eaten in three regular meals. She tells us we can find

these items at our regular grocery store and that they are superior to any protein powders and meal replace-

ment bars.

There is no hidden agenda in this book. It is not an advertisement for a

diet that requires you to buy specialty supplements and meal replace-

ments. It is just good common sense advice from a person who has

worked as an addiction counselor and who has seen positive results in all

of her patients who tried it.

The author addresses all the reasons you can come up with for why a

simple, basic diet is hard to incorporate into your lifestyle and helps you

find ways to do it. She also includes daily menus and recipes for break-

fast, lunch and dinner.

Here is a list of healthy food combinations to have as meals on the go,

from the book Potatoes not Prozac by Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.

An apple, 2 cheese sticks and a handful of almonds

Cottage cheese and an orange

Chili and a baked potato

Baked potato with broccoli and cheese

Egg salad on a whole grain bagel

Two hard boiled eggs and an orange

A roast chicken breast with salad

Triscuits or whole grain crackers and peanut butter

Shredded wheat and milk, a banana and a hard-boiled egg

Chinese takeout: beef with broccoli and rice

Chicken taco with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese

Breakfast burrito with eggs, beans and cheese

I borrowed this book from the Tillmann Family Resource Centre and you

can too.

The more that you read, the

more things you know. The

more that you learn, the

more places you go.

Dr. Seuss


Adaptive cooking class honours 2014 graduatesAdaptive cooking class honours 2014 graduatesAdaptive cooking class honours 2014 graduates by Laurel Lamarreby Laurel Lamarreby Laurel Lamarre

Brenda Ryan and Anne Robinson created the Adap-tive Cooking Program in 2011, a program that is for any-one with any form of disabil-ity. The pro-gram has re-ceived a two-year Trillium Foundation grant, which will

allow the six-week classes to be offered four times per year at least until 2015. The program also has partnered with the executive chefs of the Best West-ern Lamplighter Inn, who share their culinary exper-tise with the students. For more information or to sign up, email [email protected] Brenda has had numerous strokes, cardiac arrests, and some paralysis that at times forces her to utilize her scooter to get around and Anne copes with a severe psychiatric disorder and was in a wheelchair for a long time. Brenda has been awarded with the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement for volun-teerism. Brenda looked to her friend Anne a retired occupa-tional therapist with a lot of experience in the area of

disabilities, for assistance in starting this pro-gram for people with disabilities, as she had not been able to find anything that filled this man-date for a friend . This course cer-tainly filled this

gap and the students truly benefit from the expertise of an executive chef. I had the opportunity to attend the graduation that was held on May 8th, 2014 at the Best Western, Lamplighter and what a celebration it was. Each student was presented with a certificate of accom-plishment by Chef Michael Thorogood who partici-pated in teaching the last course offered.

Prior to the ceremony, I had the honour of speaking with Brenda who stated that she had to make a very difficult announcement to the group, one of their fellow student had passed away. Brenda read to the group a letter that Clifton Young had written regarding the benefits of the Adaptive Cooking Classes. One of the remarks made by Clifton in another article reads: ““The cooking classes could change so many people’s lives for the better,” “Health-wise too, you know? I’m eating a lot better, which means my health is better. My mental health is better. I’m not just sitting around on the couch anymore feeling sorry for myself watching my physical health go down hill. I’m now going out and doing things because I have the confi-

dence to do it.”

According to Brenda Ryan, the benefits for the participants ex-tend far beyond the kitchen. The camara-derie that exists amongst some of the students greatly en-hances their social skills. Some students now meet monthly to

share a meal out at a restaurant of their choosing and just enjoy the friendship and bond created during the course.

The Adaptive Cooking class will once again be offered in September. Anyone with a disability is welcome to enroll by sending an email : [email protected] or if further details are required.

To view a video made by a volunteer showing the benefits of this pro-gram, please visit this website: http://youtu.be/R9xoJ1Nz1Mg

L– Brenda Ryan and Chef Nick Gucanin

Gazibaric - mirror used for cooking demonstation

L—Brenda, Ryan, Wadji Khouri, Chef Thorogodd and

Anne Robinson

L– Anne Robinson and Brenda Ryan

L– Brenda Ryan, Brittney Campbell Chef Thorogodd and

Anne Robinson

http://youtu.be/R9xoJ1Nz1Mg




AUDITIONS BOOKING FOR THE MUSIC BALM CONCERT

THESE DATES: June 13, 20, or June 27 between 3—6 p.m. at

Old East Studios, 755 Dundas Street

Contact Joe Skufca at 519-455-5110 ext. 47440or email

[email protected] to book or confirm your audition

SOME WORDS OF WISDOM FREE 7-WEEK FAMILY EDUCATION COURSE

Do you have a family member or a friend with a mental illness and want to learn more about mental health? This course may be for you!

WHEN: Thursday Sept. 18– Thursday - October 30, 2014

TIME: 6:30 – 9:30 pm

WHERE: Regional Mental Health Care London (RMHCL)

To register contact: Laurel La-marre (519) 455-5110 Ext. 47440 Register early, seats are lim-ited!


T he Tillmann Family Resource Centre offers a variety of services for families their loved ones and mental health professionals, including:

A resource library which contains current books, magazines, videos, audio tapes, and pamphlets on most mental illnesses

An opportunity to meet one-on-one with another family member who has had a personal experience with mental illness and the mental health system

Participation in a support group comprised of 5-10 family members affected by mental illness and facilitated by a trained family member (every second Tuesday)

A free seven week family education course offered twice per year (Spring/Fall)

Speakers for community groups

Membership on the Family Advisory Council

A computer for family members to search for internet information on mental health

We are located at Regional Mental Health Care London 850 Highbury Ave. N., Room A117 (down the left hallway off the main foyer of RMHC London).

The resource centre is open: Monday to Friday: 8 am - 4 pm (unless otherwise posted) Contact us at: 519 455-5110 Ext. 47440 or visit our webpage

http://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/mental-health-care/tillmann-family-resource-centre-and-family-advisory-council

Attention Family Members!

Did you know that we offer a FREE support group to family members who are supporting a loved one with a mental illness?

The Support Group meets every second Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:00, at Regional Mental Health Care London.

Interested in this group, call the Tillmann Family Resource Centre at 519-455-5110, Ext. 47440 for further details.

http://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/mental-health-care/tillmann-family-resource-centre-and-family-advisory-council


Here is a list of some upcoming activities happening involving the Family Advisory Council or other groups to educate or assist patients and their families. Contact the Family Resource Centre at 519 – 455-5110 Ext. 47440

Music Balm Audition— June 13, 20, 27,

Canada Day—July 1

Civic Holiday—August 4

Labour Day— September 1

Family Advisory Council: September 8

Family Support Group – September 2, 16, 30

Family Education Course—September 18, 25 , October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Legacy event: September 28

If you are interested in donating to Regional Mental Health Care:

Contact: Wendy Sanderson-Culley Senior Development Officer 519-646-6100, ext. 65454

Donations for the Family Resource Centre can be made di-rectly to:

St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation Attn: Dr. Wm. A. Tillmann Memorial Fund Resource Centre for Families 268 Grosvenor Street London, ON N6A 4V2

This newsletter is intended to be used as a communication vehicle by the Family Advisory Council at Regional Mental

Health Care London and Southwest Centre for Forensic Men-tal Health with families who share common interests and concerns. The information herein is believed to be accurate; St. Joseph’s Health Care, the Family Advisory Council, and the author(s) cannot be held responsible for any errors. It is the responsibility of the reader to work with professionals when making any clinical decisions

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Family Forum Newsletter Summer 2014

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Transcript of Family Forum Newsletter Summer 2014