Biz Bits: Local Diner Aims To Educate The Public About Mental Illness

BIZ BITS Windsor Diner Offers Support And Employment Training To Those Impacted By Mental Illness Issues

By Dave Hall

For almost 30 years, Ten Friends Diner has contributed to the mental health of Windsorites by offering a safe environment where they can learn a trade or prepare to re-enter the employment market.

The diner, a community-based, registered charity offering support to people who are surviving with mental health issues, has been in operation since 1993 in several locations around the city.

After starting as a lunch bar in the

Canadian Mental Health Association

offices, the diner is currently located at 1412 Wyandotte Street East (at Moy Avenue) in Windsor. It is staffed by people dealing with depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, and personality issues.

“We’ve seen a lot of people come through this program and gone on to be very successful,” explains Program Manager, Carolyn Burton, who has been with Ten Friends for 16 years. “It gives our employees the opportunity to prove to themselves and others that they can run their own businesses or work very successfully for someone else.”

Michael Burton (Carolyn’s husband), who has been with the program for 18 years, says that program members start out as dishwashers and then move through as cooks, waiters and office workers before many find a job in the community.

Employees attend the diner for two days a week, one paid and the other for a weekly peer support day.

According to one member of the diner’s staff, the program is invaluable because it offers many opportunities to grow and learn while maintaining a job.

“Before I started working at Ten Friends Diner, I was a wreck because I was in and out of hospital seeking help,” she says. “I had no idea such a place was waiting to be found by me.”

The staff member (who wishes not to be named) adds: “It provides a support system as well as counselling. Through my experience dealing with my own illness and my degree in psychology, I find I can now counsel my peers and also receive counselling in return.”

She met her husband while working as a server and is now a program leader.

The program is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health with critical funding that allows the diner to achieve staffing levels that normally would not be available to a typical diner.

To view their breakfast and lunch menu and weekly specials visit their website: TenFriendsDiner.ca. And to keep up to date on their hours of operation and dining options during the pandemic go to: Facebook.com/TenFriendsDiner.

Ten Friends Diner on Wyandotte Street East in Windsor is a community based, registered charity serving "great food for a great cause"! Photo courtesy of Ten Friends Diner.

Mental Health Connections Virtually Assisting Clients Focus On Wellness During The Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken its toll on many residents and families throughout Windsor-Essex. Social distancing requirements, store closures, job losses, and school closures are some of the pandemicrelated consequences that can increase anxiety.

For people living with a mental illness, the added stress and concern about the pandemic has been a top priority for Mental Health Connections (MHC). Due to safety concerns for both clients and staff, MHC had to close its doors and transition from in-person to online programming.

“We are pleased to have stayed connected with our clients through virtual programming and daily wellness calls, which have served to guide clients through these difficult times,” says Jean Laforge, Executive Director. “While we miss the activity and laughter at MHC, we are equally impressed by our client involvement in, and response to, our online classes.”

Erin Pardy, a Social Worker and certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Practitioner, leads online group sessions on anxiety and self-esteem. She notes that people who are vulnerable to increased levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic are participating more and more frequently.

Erin Pardy, a Social Worker and certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Practitioner. Jacqui Janzen, Art and Writing Instructor.

“COVID-19 has ironically provided an opportunity to bring people together in new ways, which is important since we do not know when things will return to normal,” states Pardy. “While routines have been disrupted, there have also been unexpected benefits, such as letting down barriers and becoming more familiar with technology. Some clients are even getting together online between classes for increased social time.”

MHC’s physical fitness and nutrition classes are taught by Steve Collins. He also regularly checks in with clients by phone, and reports continuous positive feedback from clients who only miss online classes when they have an essential appointment outside the home.

“About half of those ages 16 to 76 in my online classes, had not participated previously. They have never worked out before, but expressed they felt safe trying an online class,” says Collins, Fitness and Nutrition Instructor with canfitpro certification as a personal trainer. “It is important to keep up with fitness and nutrition since exercising and eating healthy can positively affect mental wellness.”

MHC provides integrated psychosocial rehabilitation services (recovery strategies) to approximately 1,000 clients who are living in Windsor-Essex and experiencing mental health issues, as well as to family members.

Additional day and evening online classes for Windsor and Leamington clients are offered by certified instructors, including: Recovery Strategies (Depression and Coping Skills); Mindfulness (Self Care and Meditation); Zumba Gold; Zumba Gold Seated; Zumba La Blast Dance (Solo Ballroom Dancing); Yoga; Games and Socializing; and a Leamington Group.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to offer online classes in creative writing and visual art (drawing, painting and sketching),” expresses Jacqui Janzen, Art and Writing Instructor and retired high school teacher. “I am pleased to see both men and women in my classes. The appreciation they show through positive feedback, and their excitement about being able to try new things, is inspirational.”

MHC, established in April 2004, is today utilizing online programming to maximize each person’s growth and potential in a support community that cares and understands. Through careful planning over the years, strategic partnerships and support of other community agencies, MHC has positioned itself as a necessary and integral service in Windsor and Essex County.

For more information, or to become a client, email: info@mentalhealthconnections.ca or call (519) 256-4854 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A monthly calendar of online classes can be found on the MHC website: mentalhealthconnections.ca.

Steve Collins teaches physical fitness and nutrition classes.