Festive Celebration at Ontario Shores! · Family Council Newsletter 3 LINKS CORNER • Find out...
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Family Council a note from the editor The Holiday Season is upon us - a time for celebration and counting our blessings. For many, it is also a challenging time, full of stress and expectation... With this issue, we will let you know what family council has been up to, give you some tips for coping with the holidays, share some ideas for New Year’s Eve with your family and more. Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for a Healthy & Happy New Year! Sandy Matzen [email protected] Holiday Iue 2013 Festive Celebration at Ontario Shores! On Wednesday December 11 th , Ontario Shores Family Council and Patient Council collaborated on our 2nd annual Holiday Celebration. The turn-out was even greater than last year’s with more patients and staff attending. A fun time was had by all with many people visiting Santa, singing carols to wonderful piano music , enjoying traditional treats and the festive atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone who participated! Congratulations and Many Thanks to Margarida and Marlon! They entered a contest which was designed to help spread the word about the new Family Resource Centre. and won great prizes! The Family Resource Centre is located in Building 7, Level 2. Open: Monday - Friday, 1pm - 3pm & Thursday evenings, 6 pm - 8 pm.
Transcript of Festive Celebration at Ontario Shores! · Family Council Newsletter 3 LINKS CORNER • Find out...
Family CouncilNewsletter
a note from the editor
The Holiday Season is upon us - a time for
celebration and counting our blessings. For many,
it is also a challenging time, full of stress and
expectation...
With this issue, we will let you know what family
council has been up to, give you some tips for coping with the holidays, share
some ideas for New Year’s Eve with your family and
more.
Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for a Healthy &
Happy New Year!
Sandy Matzen [email protected]
Holiday Issue 2013
Festive Celebration at Ontario Shores!On Wednesday December 11th, Ontario Shores Family Council and Patient Council collaborated on our 2nd annual Holiday Celebration. The turn-out was even greater than last year’s with more patients and staff attending. A fun time was had by all with many people visiting Santa, singing carols to wonderful piano music , enjoying traditional treats and the festive atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone who participated!
Congratulations and Many Thanks to Margarida and Marlon! They entered a contest which was designed to help spread the word about the new Family Resource Centre. and won great prizes!
The Family Resource Centre is located in Building 7, Level 2. Open: Monday - Friday, 1pm - 3pm & Thursday evenings, 6 pm - 8 pm.
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Dear Family members;
On behalf of the Family Council we would like to send you our best wishes for the Season. We recognise that it can be particularly difficult at this time of year to be separated from family members who may be in hospital or far away - Giving support may be more challenging. This time of year is stressful for all of us. However I would like to report that we have recently collaborated with The Patient Council in a seasonal celebration for patients and families, with treats , hot chocolate and seasonal songs to bring cheer to patients. A good time was had by all!
We recently received news about a substantial donation by the Volunteer Association at Ontario Shores to the Family Resource Centre, which will enable us to move ahead with programming and resources to help support all families. I look forward to seeing many of you in the new year when our family evenings will start again. Please watch for information on the units or on www.ontartioshores.ca and spread the word to other families looking for support who may wish to attend.
Happy Holidays to one and all!
Jean WillisVice Chair
a note from the chairs
Pat HofsepianChair
The GreaTesT GifTs CannoT be bouGhT;
• Smiles
• Friendly Ears
• Warm Shoulders
• Desire to Understand
• Helping Hands
• Willingness to Forgive
• Respectful Attitudes
• LOVE
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LINKSCORNER
•www.ontarioshores.caFind out what’s happening currently at Ontario Shores, hear positive personal storiesfrom staff, volunteers and patients, check out upcoming events & more!
•www.schizophrenia.com/family/60tip60 Tips for Helping People who have Schizophrenia
•www.mooddisorders.caList of upcoming events and support programs
•www.womenshealthmatters.caLatest health news for women served by Women’s College Hospital. Check out the ‘Mental Health’ section under ‘Health Centres’
•www.crct.orgCommunity Resource Connection of Toronto. Geared to newcomer communities, but speaks to many issues concerning families living with mental illness. Downloadable brochure available in several languages.
•www.dmhs.ca/files/guidebook2.pdfPrintable copy of ‘Pathways to Recovery’, a Guidebook for families navigating the Mental Health System in Durham Region
I Can Save Youby ‘Little Loveli’
WearySo weary
Let my bones be your rest
AfraidSo afraid
Lay your head upon my chest
LostSo lost
I’m your beacon through the mist
DarkSo dark
Find the light in my kiss
I once walked this roadand wore these shoes
and you saved me just as I can save you.
We would love to hear your inspirational story about caring for your loved one with mental illness! Do you have an image you’ve captured, a picture of artwork you’ve created or a poem you’ve written that conveys your journey? Please send me your story (up to 600 words) and/or pictures for consideration to publish in a Family Council Newsletter. Comments about this newsletter or suggestions for future issues are welcome.
CARE to SHARE?
Connect with us at ontarioshores.ca
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WHAT’S ON
NEW YEARS EVE for FAMILIES
• Ajax Community Centre, 6 pm to 9 pm. Enjoy ice skating with
DJ, live entertainment, arts & crafts, children’s games & more. $4 adults, $3
youth/seniors. Tickets on sale now!
• Pickering Recreation Complex, 7 pm to 9 pm. Enjoy ice skating, swimming, prizes & more. This is a
FREE event. Food donations are appreciated for the local food bank.
• Oshawa - Legends Centre, 6 pm to 9 pm. Swimming, face painting, arts & crafts, jumping castles & more. FREE event.
• Whitby - Iroquios Park Sports Centre, 6 pm to 9 pm. Family skate, interactive performance, face painting, balloon artistry & more!
• Toronto - Nathan Phillips Square. City TV hosts an annual FREE outdoor concert & New Year’s Eve bash.
• Mississauga Celebration Square, 8 pm to 12 pm. Skating & live music. FREE event hosted by Much Music’s Scott Willats.
Wishing you peace & joy this holiday season
Ontario Shores Family Council
COPING TIPSThis holiday season, remember to:
• Take some space when overwhelmed; Call the host of a gathering ahead of time to determine a quiet place you can retreat to for a ‘time out’ if needed.
• Be aware of crisis numbers; Ontario Shores crisis # is 1.800.263.2679.
• Reach out when feeling lonely.
• Roll with things & Go with the flow; Best made plans often go awry and that’s okay.
• Express yourself; Don’t assume that your loved ones know how you’re feeling.
• Self-care; Drinking hot apple cider, a nice herbal tea or taking a warm bath can do wonders to relax frayed nerves. Drink lots of water, get enough sleep, go for a walk, take deeper breaths, meditate, journal, etc. Focusing on our own wellness gives us extra energy and patience.
• Be selective with TV & movies; ‘Christmas Vacation’ and similar type shows are good for a laugh. It’s refreshing to see other families struggle and overcome challenges during the holidays.
