Tag Archive | Mental Health News

New Book: “Not Guilty But Not Free” by Zerom Seyoum

A New Book by ‘Write From The Heart’ Graduate
Zerom Seyoum:
Not Guilty But Not Free
An insight into mental illness from 20 years of personal struggles in and out of a psychiatric hospital.
price: $17.50
purchase from author:
phone: 604-565-5515
cell: 604-828-8130
ze***********@ho*****.com 

March 12 – Funny in the Head and Fado

…the opening performance of the Kickstart Festival 2010!

She Laughed, She Cried
Friday, March 12  8pm

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC
6265 Crescent Road
Vancouver

She Laughed, She Cried is an evening of fado and comedy that will move you
from tears to riotous laughter! The evening features two extraordinary and
very different artists who share a common ability to touch your heart.

Fado singer Sara Marreiros and her band open the evening. Dark and brooding or
gloriously ethereal, Sara’s sultry, sexy vocals are steeped in the passion of
saudade – the feeling of yearning that is part of the Portuguese soul.

Funny in the Head, a one-woman show by comedian, storyteller, writer and
mental health activist Jan Derbyshire. The show is the rollicking story of a
bipolar comedian’s fight to stay funny. She ultimately finds an answer to the
pressing question, “Is appearing normal a mental health act?”

Tickets: $22 ($16 students, seniors & fixed income) plus charges
www.ticketmaster.ca
604.280.3311

www.chancentre.com/whats-on/she-laughed-she-cried

Directions, Parking, Transit, Ticket Sales, and Accessibility at the Chan Centre:
www.ticketmaster.ca/Chan-Centre-For-The-Performing-Arts-tickets-Vancouver/venue/139280

…………………………………………………….

Kickstart Festival 2010 March 8 – 27
Art exhibitions, dance, music, theatre, workshops
www.kickstart-arts.ca/kickstartfestival.html

KICKSTART IS NOW ON FACEBOOK! JOIN US!
www.facebook.com/pages/Kickstart-Disability-Arts-and-Culture/318968627521?v=wall

Coming up next:

EarSighted Audio Description of a performance of SPINE, March 16 8pm
www.kickstart-arts.ca/audio-description.html

………………………………………………………………

Meg Torwl

Community Outreach Coordinator
Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture

www.kickstart-arts.ca

Open House, Community Link Program – March 23, 2010, 3 – 5 PM

You are invited to an Open House for the Community Link Program (CLP), a psychosocial rehabilitation program for people who have a serious mental illness living in Vancouver. Come and talk to our staff about the suitability of this program for yourself, a family member, or your client.
Hosted in our temporary space at:
      207–2250 Commercial Dr
           Ph: 604-435-5677
Schedule of events
3:00pm  Open House Begins
3:30pm  15 minute Presentation on CLP     
4:15pm  Repeat of Presentation
5:00pm  Open House Ends
       Refreshments Provided!
       RSVPs appreciated to:
         Ca**************@vc*.ca
                 by March 19
         Everyone welcome!
Deborah Simpson
Acting Coordinator
Community Link Program
207-2250 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5N 5P9
Tel: 604-435-5677
Fax: 604-435-5694

Volunteers in Partnership needs volunteers

VOLUNTEERS IN PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD?
Would you like an opportunity to:
            • Work 1-1 with adults experiencing a mental illness?
• Help someone achieve their individually set goals?
            • Learn about the mental health system?
The Volunteers in Partnership Program is looking for adult volunteers who can offer 2-4 hours per week to adults in the Vancouver area who are experiencing a mental illness. Volunteers assist participants with improving their skills, increasing their independence and exploring new activities.
Volunteers and participants are asked to commit to their partnership for a minimum of six months.
This is an opportunity to volunteer off-site in the community with support and guidance from the program coordinator.
For more information on this volunteer program please contact:
Volunteers in Partnership Program
CMHA Vancouver-Burnaby Branch
175 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P4
Coordinator: Katy Vinson
Phone: 604-872-4902 ext 290

E-mail: ka************@cm**.ca

BrainStorm Poetry contest for consumers!

Eighth annual BrainStorm poetry contest

ImageEnter the storm and speak your mind:
NISA’s eighth annual BrainStorm poetry contest opens Jan. 4, 2010

The Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) is pleased to announce its eighth annual BrainStorm Poetry Contest, which runs from Jan. 4 to March 19, 2010 and is open to poets worldwide.

The annual contest is an effective way for NISA to showcase the work of its readers and other mental health consumers. This year, NISA hopes to receive more submissions from poets outside North America, in order to raise awareness and to educate the public on the realities of mental health in different geographic regions. Subject matter is entirely open and needn’t focus on one’s struggle with mental health; however, the BrainStorm contest is open exclusively to consumers and survivors of mental health services.

The contest is intended as a fundraiser for NISA’s literary magazine, Open Minds Quarterly, as well as a way of supporting consumers and survivors of mental health services by awarding prizes to the top three winners. Learn more about contest regulations and download entry forms here. Inquiries may be directed to Dinah Laprairie at
n
op*******@ni**.ca

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

or +1-705-675-9193 ext. 8286.

ave The Date in March 2010! CBR Hub Cafe Scientifique Event

The BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network’s Community Based Research Hub
Invites you to a Café Scientifique Event:

“Seeds of Change:
Community Based Research in Practice”

Community Based Research (CBR) is gaining recognition as an important tool to address health problems. This event is aimed at connecting the public with those involved with CBR projects, and to stimulate conversation about the value of CBR in mental health and addictions research, the processes and outcomes of CBR projects, and avenues for community participation in CBR.

Please join us for a series of short presentations and conversations about three diverse research projects that have been undertaken in British Columbia in the field of mental health and addictions.

March 4th, 6:00-8:00pm                                               
The Railway Club, 579 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC (www.therailwayclub.com)

Moderator:
Elana Brief,
Research Scholar, National Core for Neuroethics

Presenters:
Jamie Livingston,
Researcher, BC Mental Health and Addictions Services 
“People with Mental Illness and the Police: Redistributing Power through Research”

Michael Crain,
Knowledge Translation Lead, CREST.BD Team
“Understanding what Recovery Means to People Living with Bipolar Disorder”

Sandra Hale,
Master of Science Rehabilitation (Candidate), University of British Columbia
“Job Accommodations: Perspectives from People with Bipolar Disorder”

Erin Michalak
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia 
“CBR in Mental Health and Addictions: Opportunities and Challenges”

See attached posters for event details and presenter biographies. Please feel free to forward this email onward and print the attached poster.

For more information or to RSVP please contact Sally McBride: sm******@ph**.ca or visit www.mhanet.ca/cbr.

We hope to see you there!

Regards, CBR Hub

                               

                                              


Dr. Erin E. Michalak
Assistant Professor
CREST.BD team leader: www.crestbd.ca
Postdoctoral Coordinator, FOM, UBC
Mood Disorders Centre

Department of Psychiatry
University of British Columbia

2255 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, V6T 2A1
Tel: 604 827 3393


Dr. Erin E. Michalak
Assistant Professor
CREST.BD team leader: www.crestbd.ca
Postdoctoral Coordinator, FOM, UBC
Mood Disorders Centre
Department of Psychiatry
University of British Columbia
2255 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, V6T 2A1
Tel: 604 827 3393

Health Lecture Series

             Health Lecture Series 2010
North and West Vancouver Branch
MARCH 3

JOURNEY FROM OUR HEAD BACK TO OUR HEART

In 2009 Brock did a 12,000 km bicycle journey called kindness…Cycle it forward across the US and Canada.  He did this to raise awareness about the importance of kindness and inspire people everywhere to take positive action in their lives, in their homes, communities and workplaces.
Brock Tulley is an author of 8 books, survivor of two epic journeys aver 10,000 miles each, producer of World Kindness Concerts events, songwriter, musician and album producer, counselor and psychologist at crisis and drug rehabilitation centres. 
MARCH 10 THE USEFULNESS OF REST: YOGA AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

This will be a learn-by-experiencing introduction to Restorative Process Therapy (RPT). RPT is a form of psychotherapy that integrates gentle yoga postures, breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, and creative journeying to illicit mind-body wholeness and wellbeing. During this time, you will inwardly experience a little of what happens in an RPT session, with time to discuss the exercises and ask questions about the process.
Marlise Meilan, MA, RCC, Buddhist Psychotherapist, and Certified Yoga Teacher. She originated the Restorative Process Therapy work to help people reduce suffering around issues of anxiety, depression, stress, and personal growth as a result of her own healing experiences in yoga, meditation, and counselling. You can visit her website at www.ContemplatePsychotherapy.com.
MARCH 17

OPTIMUM NUTRITION FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING

Nutritional Therapy can help anyone who wants to enjoy better health and vitality.  Do you want to have a healthy immune system, optimal digestive and cardiovascular flow and live a life that is nutritious and delicious? We will discuss these areas and the overall aim of a healthy diet.  www.balance-nutrition.com
Maya Rowson is a highly qualified  Nutritional Therapist and Consultant.  She is the Director of Balance Nutrition Consultancy with is based in Vancouver.  After graduating from Nutriheal College with a Practitioner Diploma in Nutritional Therapy she now has a clinic in North Vancouver. 
MARCH 24

MARCH 31
STRESS, ANXIETY AND MEMORY RECALL

Do you want to have a better understanding of how stress contributes to anxiety and memory difficulties? We will discuss tools to help you manage stress and improve your memory functioning.  These tools are evidence based in that they have been proven to be effective in scientific research.
Dr. Andrew Miki is a registered Clinical Psychologist with expertise in Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and memory rehabilitation. He practices at the North Shore Stress and
Anxiety Clinic and holds a Post Doctoral Fellowship with Baycrest Hospital in Toronto. www.mentalfitness.ca
JIN SHIN DO/BODYMIND 5 ELEMENT ACCUPRESSURE
Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure uses the power of touch to release emotional and physical pain and tension in acu-points that present on the surface of the body.  This ancient healing art is combined with western principles of body focusing techniques, breath work and psychotherapy.  The 5 elements correspond with our yearly seasons providing a framework upon which to better understand the changes that occur in an around us at different times of year.  You will have a hands on experience of neck and shoulder release.
Registered Jin Shin Do Accupressurists from our local community.  See the website jinshindofoundation.org
EVERYONE WELCOME! EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7:00pm – ADMISSION BY DONATION
LOCATION: 2nd Floor of John Braithwaite Community Centre, 145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver
For information, call 604-987-6959 or visit www.northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca

MDA Education Evening – Mar 18, 2010

61******************************@mo**.local" style="min-height: 53px; width: 72px;" width="58" />   Education Evening

Thurs, MARCH 18, 7:00 pm
STIGMA & MENTAL ILLNESS

An exploration of the role society and media play
in perpetuating fear and mistaken beliefs and
how people experiencing physical vs. mental illness are treated.
Speakers: Chasidy Karpiuk, MA, CCC, RCC
Clinical Counsellor
   Meagan Maddocks, MA

BB******************************@mo**.local" style="min-height: 48px; width: 61px;" width="133" />Sunrise Hall, 1950 Windermere St @ 4th Ave  Map
For more information view the attached poster, or contact:

Mood Disorders Association of BC – MDA
604-873-0103    www.mdabc.net    in**@md***.net
An MDA Education Evening Event
Please forward this email and/or the attached poster to anyone you feel would be interested in attending the event.
 Print and post the attached poster in an appropriate place to inform others.

Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia
202-2250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 5P9  Tel. 604-873-0103  Fax 604-873-3095
md***@te***.net  www.mdabc.net

Recovery Workshop March 18

Hi all,
We have about 75 seats left for this event so there is plenty of space. If you are a consumer and would like to register, please do!

Reaching Recovery
If you are a person with lived experience with mental illness, you are invited to join
Chris Summerville
CEO, Schizophrenia Society of Canada
Board Member, Mental Health Commission of Canada
in an interactive session discussing:
RECOVERY • RESILIENCY • WELLNESS • HOPE
• EMPOWERMENT  •  PERSONAL GOALS
• AND YOUR ROLE  
 

When: March 18, 1:00-3:30
Where: Croation Cultural Centre, Auditorium 2, 3250 Commercial Drive 
To register, please call: 604-708-5274 
and leave your name  &  phone number.
“Mental illness is not just a health issue, but a social justice issue as well. When as a society we know what helps people living with mental illness to recover a quality of life and we do not provide those supports and services, it then becomes a social justice issue!” –Chris Summerville 

Call for Submissions about Employment & Disability

Dear OMQ Contributors,
Please find below a call for submissions for first-person accounts about disability and employment. Open Minds and NISA aren’t affiliated with reachAbility, but it sounds to me like a good opportunity for our writers, so I’m passing along the news.
Wishing you all the best,
Dinah Laprairie
Editor, Open Minds Quarterly
Be inspired. Be moved. Be part of the change.
A publication of
NISA/Northern Initiative for Social Action
680 Kirkwood Dr., Bldg. 1
Sudbury ON P3E 1X3
Canada
(705) 675-9193, ext. 8286
OMQ is now a part of the Facebook community
_______________________________________

reachAbility, a Canadian nonprofit association that fights for equality of rights for all Canadians with disabilities, is asking for submissions for a book to be published this year. The goal of the book is to raise awareness of the need for equality, break down barriers, and offer strategies and solutions for inclusion.
The submissions are first-hand accounts of employment experiences, and can be submitted in a variety of formats. Topics can include (but are not limited to) how your disability affected your getting a job, feelings of acceptance or exclusion from staff and management, and barriers encountered at work. Submission deadline is March 15, 2010.
See “The First Person Project,” February 5, 2010, at www.blogs.usask.ca/dss.