Lorne Fraser Educational Fund Accepting Applications – Due April 25 [backtotop]
Each year, the Lorne Fraser Educational Fund is awarded to people with a mental illness to help further their pursuit of post-secondary education. There are 7 bursaries for $700 which are based on the annual interest of the fund and are awarded for the fall term of each year. Lorne Fraser is committed to increasing opportunities for people with a mental illness. He has had bipolar disorder for many years and is aware of the difficulties associated with mental illness. He continues to raise the capital to build the fund and recognizes the importance of education to the personal well-being of a contributing member of society. Since 1982, the Lorne Fraser Fund has helped more than 100 British Columbians pursue their educational dreams. The program is currently accepting applications until April 25, 2008. To learn more about the fund and download an application form, visit www.cmha.bc.ca/services/lornefraser. Seeking Participants for Mental Well-Being DVD – Deadline April 4 [backtotop]
As part of our new Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health project, we’re currently looking for people interested in being part of a DVD on mental well-being. We’re adapting an instructional/documentary video on self-help skills for dealing with low mood. The DVD is from Scotland and we are planning to replace two of the real people who describe their simple self-care techniques with a couple of real people from BC. We need women and men for this project. You must meet all of the following criteria: live in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley; be between 45 and 70 years of age; be from any visible minority group; speak clear English; have gone through a moderate depression and doing better now; be interested in having your face (no names) used in a mental wellness DVD that would be widely distributed to potentially thousands of people across BC; want to help others improve their mental well-being. If you meet the criteria and are interested, please contact us at dv*@cm**.ca and attach a recent photo of yourself along with a phone number that we can reach you at. You don’t have to act or memorize lines. Successful candidates would receive a minimum $500 honorarium for a few hours of your time if you’re chosen to be filmed. Deadline is April 4 for expressions of interest. Interested in Becoming a Mental Health Works Trainer in BC? – Deadline April 17 [back to top]
CMHA BC Division is currently considering applications from BC residents interested becoming a certified trainer for Mental Health Works, a multiple award-winning CMHA initiative providing organizations with the tools and resources they need to effectively address issues involving mental illness in the workplace. Qualifications required include substantial experience in management and/or unions; knowledge of mental health and mental illness; solid presentation skills using computer technology to business, union, and/or professional audiences); willingness, time, and ability to market to executives in the public and private sectors; as well as commitment to CMHA values. Those accepted as prospective trainers will complete two weeks of training in the program, as well as prior assessment of knowledge of mental health/ illnesses and presentation skills. Training for new prospective Mental Health Works Certified Trainers for CMHA BC will take place July 7–18 2008 in Metro Vancouver. Participants will be responsible for their own travel, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners. Please contact us at me***************@cm**.ca. The deadline for applications is April 17.
Your Education, Your Future – a Guide for Students with Mental Illness [back to top]
Attending college or universities opens up an exciting world of possibilities. It can also be pretty challenging. But if you’re living with a mental illness, it can be even more challenging. Your Education, Your Future is a CMHA National resource that is designed to make your transition to college or university just a little bit easier. It takes you through all the steps of going to school, providing information and tips for anyone living with a mental illness. Find it at http://www.cmha.ca/youreducation.
North Shore Health Lecture Series [back to top]
The weekly Health Lecture Series organized by CMHA North and West Vancouver Branch meets on the 2nd floor of the John Braithwaite Community Centre at 145 West 1st Street in North Vancouver (between Chesterfield and Lonsdale Avenue). All lectures start at 7pm. Admission by donation. For more information please phone 604-987-6959 or visit www.northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca.
April 2 – Standup for Mental Health, Comedy Troop 2008
April 9 – Getting Your Needs Met: Healing Co-dependence
April 16 – Forgiveness Vancouver/Burnaby Branch Special Events [backtotop]
CMHA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch‘s Recreation Services Program provides opportunities for adults who are living with mental illness to participate in recreation and experience the benefits of leisure. The following special events take place at or depart from the Vancouver Recreation Office at 175 West Broadway. Please call 604-872-3148 to register for two of the following events. Please note that residents of Vancouver will be given priority for registration.
March 28 – UBC Wind Ensemble at the Chan Centre
March 31 – West Cost Express Trip to Mission
Guide to Creating a Trust to Avoid Losing Disability Benefits [back to top]
If you are receiving disability benefits and you suddenly come into money (for example, through an inheritance or court settlement), you can lose your benefits – including medical coverage. To help avoid this situation, you can put that money into a trust. The “How to Create a Trust” book by the Voice of the Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver will help you be well-informed, so if you decide to create a trust, you will be able to use your time with a lawyer more efficiently. Families with children who have disabilities might also be interested. Go to www.vcpgv.org/trust to download the book.
New Antidepressant Cymbalta Approved for Use in Canada [back to top]
Health Canada has approved a new antidepressant called Cymbalta, for the symptomatic relief of major depression in adults and for specific use in pain management. Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Find out more about safe use of the drug and the federal government’s decision, at Health Canada’s Drugs and Health Products division.

Study on Self-Help Methods Used to Relieve Depression Seeks Participants [back to top]
ORYGEN Research Centre in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne invites people with mental illness from Canada to take part in an online study looking at self-help methods and their likelihood of reducing depressive symptoms. Self-help methods are those that can be applied easily by many people at low cost without the need for professional supervision. As a participant you will be required to read background information on self-help methods and complete a few questionnaires via the internet which ask you to rate the effectiveness of self-help methods and whether they are easy to implement. All tasks will be completed individually, in your own time. Your information will be kept confidential and you can pull out of the study at any time if you change your mind. If you would like to participate in this project or would like further information before deciding to participate, please contact Amy Morgan, email: aj******@un*****.au. UBC Study Seeks People with a Mood Disorder [backtotop]
The UBC Department of Psychiatry is looking for people who have or have had a mood disorder to volunteer for a research study. They will be collecting saliva and a small blood sample to look at hormone levels, and asking you to complete a series of tests to look at your thinking processes and memory. They are looking for people between 19-65 who have been diagnosed with major depression or bipolar disorder who have no serious medical conditions and are willing to attend 2 clinic visits (1-4 hours per visit). If you are interested call Sean at 604-827-3352. Mentoring Program in Victoria Seeks Volunteers – Deadline April 7 [back to top]
Interested in supporting someone throughout their recovery journey after struggling with mental illness or substance us? If so, the Victoria Cool Aid Society Mentoring Project is looking for you! The mentors will serve to reduce isolation, build competency through specific transferrable skills, and contribute to their mentee’s recovery and wellness. The time commitment is about 2-4 hours per week for up to a year. Full training is provided. Training sessions begin in April 2008. You can attend an information session on March 31. For more information or to apply please contact Sally Ross at sr***@co*****.org or 250-595-8619. Become a Peer Support Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health – Deadline April 30 [backtotop]
Would you like the feeling of increased self-esteem by giving support to people just like yourself that have been diagnosed with a mental illness? You can join Vancouver Coastal Health as a peer support worker. Training will be begin in September 2008. For details on the program and how to apply, see www.vch.ca.
Free College Entry Course for People with Mental Illness – May 4 – August 6 [back to top]
Interested in going to College? Douglas College in New Westminster is offering a free college preparation course specifically for Vancouver residents who have a mental illness. You would benefit from this course if you have completed high school or have the GED, and you are able to attend class 2 mornings per week from 10:30 to 12:30. Applicants may have attended college in the past. If you haven’t completed high school and are over age 25, you may also qualify for this course if you have strong reading and writing skills. If you are interested, call Nathan Anderson at 604-527-5517or Kary Otterstein at 604-435-5677. A pre-entry interview with the instructor is required. And act fast, because there is only room for 15 students in the course.Educating Families Conference, Vancouver – May 3 [back to top]
Working together to educate families is a conference by sponsored by Vancouver Coastal Health, the Mood Disorders Association of BC and British Columbia Schizophrenia Society. The conference will be held at Vancouver General Hospital and will tackle issues such as support services for families, rehabilitation opportunities, and concurrent disorders. Conference fee: $25/person, $30/family. To reserve seats contact fa***************@ya***.com.The 1st International Conference on Integrative, Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Mental Health, Toronto – May 23 – 25 [back to top]
This conference will focus on Native American Healing, Nursing Therapies, Nutrition, Energy Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapeutic approaches, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Spirituality, Safety and Legal Issues. The conference is now accepting research papers and poster presentations. For more information visit www.camspecialistsconnect.com.