Mental Health Newsletter Winter 2013

VOLUME 4

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

Family Forum Newsletter

Winter 2013 Inside This Issue 1 A Christmas Poem 2 Family Advisory Council greetings 3 Hope is….

4 Inpatient beds to community 4 Good deed story 5 Inpatient satisfaction survey 5 A little humour 6 Coping with holiday stress 7 Services for families

A Christmas Poem

By Helen Steiner Rice

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book And every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look, And that is when I realize that these names are a part Not of the book they are written in, but really of my heart For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometimes, And in the meeting they’ve become the rhythm in each rhyme And while it sounds fantastic to me to make this claim, I really feel that I’m composed of each remembered name

8 Calendar of events And while you may not be aware of any special link Just meeting you has changed my life a lot more than you think For once I’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase The memory of a pleasant word or a friendly face So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between, For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you, It is because you’re on the list that I’m indebted to For I am but a total of the many folks I’ve met And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget And whether I have known you for many years or few In some ways you have a part in shaping things I do And every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew, The best gifts life can offer is meeting folks like you.

And may the spirit of Christmas that forever endures Leave its richest blessings in the hearts of you and yours

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Family Forum Newsletter

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Family Forum Newsletter

Hope is…..

Hope is my canvas upon which I paint my dreams So that I may move forward And focus on a brighter future.

Hope is my window to tomorrow …Hope is like a spider web that keeps the spider alive; To live is to hope and to hope is to live.

What renews our hope?

Surround yourself with people who believe in recovery Hope is contagious Read recovery stories and research Increase your spirituality/faith View setbacks as opportunities Learn to tolerate uncertainty Use humour Develop hope filled rituals Surround yourself with symbols of hope Share hope with others – join a support group Take care of yourself

I believe that the power of laughter and tears is the only antidote against hatred and fear.

Charlie Chaplin

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Family Forum Newsletter

Last phase of inpatient bed shift to the community In addition to the divestment of beds and services to the four partner hospitals, the Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) called for an overall reduction of 70 beds within St. Joseph’s two mental health care sites prior to occupying the new mental health facilities.

Phase 1 occurred in December of 2011 with the closure of 21 beds Phase 2 occurred in March of 2013 with the closure of 22 beds Phase 3 is to happen prior to the move into the new London facility with the closure of 27 beds In a planned fashion, St. Joseph's continues to work toward the last phase and we now have a date by which this reduction should be achieved: June 27, 2014. There will be a gradual reduction of the beds from now until that date. Beds will become out of service as the discharges of long-stay patients occur.

The appropriate discharge of patients will occur with the support of LHIN funding over the next eight months, and both the transition team and the clinical/unit teams will be a part of this planning, similar to the last two phases.

The beds allocated for this phase of the shift are tied to all areas of specialized mental health care and not one particular area.

The goal of the provincial directives is to move away from an institutional model of care to one of recovery and rehabilitation where patients can receive care in their home communities with proper support, in addition to the availability of a hospital stay if needed.

For more information please contact Deb Corring, 519 646-6100 ext. 47820.

Now here is a feel good story for Christmas!

The Good Deed Award goes to West Jet. Watch the news footage (You Tube – West Jet Christmas Miracle) and be prepared to be touched. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEIvi2MuEk

Family Forum Newsletter

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Inpatient satisfaction survey Aligned with our commitment to patient-centered care, Regional Mental Health Care London and Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care conduct an annual inpatient satisfaction interview survey. The results of the survey assist both sites in identifying areas of accomplishment and opportunities for improvement.

The interviews are planned for the winter of 2014 and will be conducted in-person by an interviewer from an external organization – National Research Corporation Canada. A professionally trained interviewer will invite patients to participate in the survey, explain the purpose of the survey and obtain consent from each patient prior to starting the interview.

Patients will be asked questions regarding their satisfaction with the services they are receiving, their participation in treatment, their living environment, treatment outcomes and more. All information provided by patients will be kept confidential and results will be reported collectively.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sussex, Quality Measurement & Clinical Decision Support: 519-646-6000, ext. 47030; jennifer.sussex@sjhc.london.on.ca

A little humour lightens the heart!! https://www.google.ca/search?q=christmas+funnies&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IESearchBox&rlz=1I7ADFA_enCA434&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tkwUteYIImr2gXuhIC4CQ&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=600

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Family Forum Newsletter

Coping with Holiday Stress by Christine Boyd Do you feel stressed during the holidays? If so you are not alone. The holidays are a busy time, with high expectations, social pressures, and financial expenses. It can be helpful to focus on your values, what the holiday means to you, and traditions that are important to you and your family. Here are some hints to help you enjoy the holidays more: Gift-Giving - Set a budget and stick to it - Remember that you can’t buy love with bigger, better gifts - Ask people what they want - Avoid peak shopping times or shop on Internet - OK to be realistic with children about what they can’t have - Some families draw names so each person only has to buy one gift Get-Togethers - Remember purpose – spending time with people you care about - Pace yourself – don’t try to do too much - Give yourself time to rest and recover in between events - If you are the host, your home and the meal do not have to be perfect - Consider having a pot luck where everyone brings something to eat - Make food ahead and freeze and use disposable dishes Time Management - Set priorities – choose what you want to do - Learn to say “No” – you don’t have to do everything - Don’t overschedule yourself Self-Care - Get enough sleep, food, exercise but avoid over-eating - Plan time for you every day - Take breaks when you need to – try relaxation exercises - Be aware of how you are feeling – your feelings are OK Signs of Trouble - Associating holiday with difficult times in the past - Feeling alone, especially if you have lost someone - Drinking alcohol or using drugs to cope - Feeling overwhelmed - Physical symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping How to Feel Better - If coping with loss, try something new or different - Spend time with others – if you are lonely try reaching out to others (e.g. help at a food bank or visit a nursing home) - If spiritual, attend a religious ceremony - Let your support people know what will help you - Enjoy decorations or holiday lights (e.g. Victoria Park) - Seek professional help if needed - Plan something for after the holiday to avoid “let down”

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Family Forum Newsletter

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

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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.

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The Family Forum Newsletter

DECEMBER 2013 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

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WINTER CALENDAR 12

Boxing Day – Dec. 26 New Year’s – Jan. 1 JANUARY 2014

Tillmann Family Resource Centre - Closed from December 23, 2013 to January 5, 2014 Family Advisory Council

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- Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10

Family Support Group – Jan. 7, 21, Feb. 4, 18, March 4, 18

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

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Contact: Wendy Sanderson-Culley Senior Development Officer 519-646-6100, ext. 65454 Donations for the Family Resource Centre can be made directly 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

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This newsletter is intended to be used as a communication vehicle by the Family Advisory Council at Regional Mental Health Care with families who share common interests and concerns. The information herein is believed to be accurate; St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, 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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