Summer 2010

Transcription

Summer 2010

THE CLIENT’S
Voice
a newsletter of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Client Empowerment Council
Vision,
Mission,
Values, and
Philosophy
Vision
Mental health and well-being for all
Mission
To be representative of the voice of the
clients of the Royal Ottawa Mental
Health Centre
Values
We believe that clients play a critical role
in their care and in the delivery of mental
health services
Philosophy
• We believe in a client-centred approach
to care
• We believe that patients have the right
to voice their concerns
• We believe that input from patients
should be welcomed, encouraged, and
responded to in a timely manner
to be treated with dignity and respect
• We believe in advocating for changes
in the system
• We believe in valuing people and
humanizing the system
• We believe in open communication
between care providers, consumers
and their families
I am a Psychiatric Survivor and
THIS IS MY STORY
Ernie Smith was diagnosed with schizophrenia
at the age of seven and began to use the
services of the Royal Ottawa Hospital for
educational purposes because of learning
disabilities. He began taking Ritalin, which
helped him cope with his illness and didn’t
have any serious problems until he was 30
years old. That is when Ernie began to
experience hallucinations and whisperings
while attending a Vocational Rehabilitation
Program in Kingston, Ontario.
A nervous breakdown, lack of a social life, and
working long hours caused Ernie to leave work
and come to Ottawa. He would later return to
Kingston, but he became sick and started
loosing touch with reality – walking the
streets late at night and experiencing more
hallucinations and whisperings.
Ernie was transferred from the Kingston
General to the Hotel Dieu Hospital to the
Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, where he stayed
from October 1982 to August 1983. After being
released, he lived in room and board and
worked at the Ability Centre for Vocational
Training (funded by the Ontario March of
Dimes) in addition to Industrial Enterprises. But
Ernie’s illness and learning disabilities would
lead to him becoming sick again. Ernie’s two
main outlets - his Social Worker (who went on
leave for pregnancy purposes) and Psychiatrist
(who moved away to Belleville) left him with
too much too handle and not enough support.
He became sick again with an infection and
thrombosis when he accidentally cut his foot
in a parking lot. Ernie got an operation to cope
with the infection and stopped taking his
medications. He was abused by those supports
that he thought he could trust, and was placed
continued on page 2…
CEC • SUMMER 2010 • 1
Vision,
Mission,
Valeurs, et
Philosophie
Vision
La santé mentale et le mieux-être pour tous
Mission
Pour être le représentant de la voix pour les
clients du Centre de Santé mentale
Royal Ottawa
Valeurs
Nous croyons que les clients jouent un rôle
critique dans leur soin et dans la livraison
de services de santé mentale.
Philosophie
• Nous croyons en une prestation de soins
centrée sur le client.
• Nous croyons que les patients ont le droit
d’exprimer leurs préoccupations.
• Nous croyons que l’opinion des patients
doit être souhaitée et encouragée, et
qu’elle doit faire l’objet d’une réponse
en temps opportun.
• Nous croyons que les patients ont le
droit d’être traités avec dignité et respect.
• Nous croyons qu’il est important de
militer en faveur du changement au sein
du système.
• Nous croyons qu’il importe de valoriser les
gens et d’humaniser le système.
• Nous croyons en une communication
ouverte entre les prestataires de soins,
les consommateurs et les familles.
…Cover continued
in an Alzheimer’s ward because there was
nowhere else to put him.
Ernie moved in with his family in Ottawa while
still struggling with an additional infection in
his other leg, which led to Phlebitis disease
and being treated with warfarin rat poison.
Ernie found out that he had depression in
addition to his schizophrenia, and struggled
with suicidal thoughts. Ernie’s current
diagnosis is Bipolar Type 1, affective
schizophrenia, and depression. But Ernie
was not ready to give up.
In 1990, Ernie met social workers Sharon
D’Arcy and Jackie McKenna from Citizen
Advocacy who helped him find friendship and
companionship. He met his friend Arnie
Francis, who has been a big help in Ernie’s life,
health, and finances. Ernie’s last job was as a
booking agent. Then he began to work at
Causeway and took part in the Vocational
Rehabilitation Program there.
Ernie began a distinguished career as a
volunteer with a number of organizations:
CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the
Blind), Citizen Advocacy (as a match – Arnie as
the advocate and Ernie as the protégé on the
Board of Directors), PSO (Psychiatric Survivors
of Ottawa), APPLE (A Post Psychiatric Leisure
Experience), Independent Living Centre of
Ottawa, Ottawa-Vanier Lions Club, Social
Service, MacKay United Church and Bazaar,
Ottawa-Vanier NDP, NECA (New Edinburgh
Community Alliance), and Springfield
Residence in New Edinburgh, where Ernie is a
human resources advocate for the owners,
staff, and residents. He is also an advocate for
10-year-old Brianna, and 5-year-old Spencer,
the children of his friend Steve Rose, a single
dad. Ernie says: “It’s great to be a great-great
uncle at 60 years of age.”
“It is time to help others,” says Ernie, who has
also been the subject of an article in the
New Edinburgh Newspaper. The Client
Empowerment Council is Ernie’s newest
endeavor, and he has already shown a keen
interest to help out and share his skills with us.
During the Royal’s Centennial Open House
Celebration,
Ernie confidently
mingled with
visitors explaining
who we are as a
council.
Psychiatrists
Dr. Sequeera,
Dr. Koranyi,
Dr. Bisserbe, Social Workers Amanda Telford
and Doreen Parker (WRAP) are Ernie’s support
team at the Royal. Rev. Kelly has also given
Ernie “wonderful spiritual advice” and Ernie
says that anyone talking to her would be very
fulfilled. Thanks to the secretaries Philippe,
Elaine, Darleen, Susan, and Sheila, and Dr Lee
and Lisa from the Sleep Lab.
Ernie has an intriguing message about his
lifestyle that ought to be understood by the
public: “I came to the realization that family,
kids, a mortgage, was not for me. I have to
advocate for people with these types of issues.
I recognize that I am Ernie Smith and I don’t let
the fact that I live with a mental illness and live
in a residence define who I am. I define who I
am and the person that I am. Be who you are.”
Ernie’s illness still bothers him intermittently,
but he is confident that he can succeed in life.
Ernie is a true role-model for anyone living
with, or without, a mental illness. “Dare to
dream, dare to be. You can be who you want to
be if you care enough and make the effort. Use
all the resources you can on your path to
individual recovery. Ask those who have life
experience. Live life helping others.”
Ernie Smith
L’âme du
papillon
Le papillon
Juste métamorphosé
Papillote
Dans la nature
Pour étaler ses couleurs
Et sa fragilité
Il bouge même
Dans les tripes
De celui qui l’apprivoise
Pour lui dire tout bas
A quel point
Il a du coeur au ventre
Et l’habite
En musique
Le papillon se transpose
En flûte traversière
Léger, légère
Le soufflé á travers
Les ailes
L’adagio, l’andante, l’allegro
Il vole de fleurs
En fleurs
Nous éblouit
De sa délicatesse
De sa ritournelle silencieuse
J’en ai vu un
Un jour
Il est resté longtemps
Tour près
Immobile
Je ne l’effrayais pas
Et s’ouvrant
Et se refermant
Me disait
"Moi aussi je respire”
Puis il est parti
Et je ne l’ai
Jamais revu...
Message from the Editor
People are speaking up. The efforts of those
who wish to have their voices heard and their
stories told are being realized in various ways
in our community. I was able to witness two
such events: May 8th’s Centennial Open House
at The Royal, and June 5th’s Bows for Butterflies
Benefit. At Bows for Butterflies I was able to
meet and listen to two real-life superheroes:
Alyse Schacter and Otto Hall. Alyse speaks with
a fearless tenacity that breaks down the walls
of stigma wherever she treads – beware. Otto
Hall`s tact, class, and sense of humour make it
hard to believe that he is a teen. He worked so
hard as Youth Chair of the Bows for Butterflies
this year and put together an outstanding
show. Drama, dance, literature, visual art, and
music were merged into a kalaidascope of
emotional delight that left every audience
member satisfied. The message that I
personally took away from the event is that
there is a need for a mental health awareness
movement. I am very optomistic about this
because - quite simply - people are speaking up.
Now for some newseltter housekeeping:
The Client Empowerment Council must have a
means of communicating our activities to the
clients we represent. Being clients ourselves
gives us a clear advantage in providing the
information you need to be informed about
our activities. But we can always improve, so
please send us comments to let us know how
we are doing and how we can better serve
you. We are also providing a unique avenue
for clients to showcase their creative work.
All of the poems submitted to The Voice so far
have been published. Please continue sending
things in.
Here are a few things that you will find in this
issue. First, an inspiring story of recovery from
one of our newest members – Ernie - who has
a very engaging message. I had the pleasure
of sitting down with Ernie to finish his article at
Piccolo Grande in New Edinburgh (best gelato
in town on 411 MacKay St). Thanks for stepping
up so enthusiastically to share your story.
Intensive Assessment representative Carole
will introduce us to how to look into
hypnotherapy as a complementary treatment
option. Carole, I am currently afraid of heights
– any suggestions?
Our Accessability Committee representative
Nancy Burwash will be providing us with
regular updates to let us know how those
living with accessibility issues are gaining
improved access to our fabulous building.
Those are just a few highlights from this issue, so
grab seat and treat yourself to some inspiration.
Speaking of inspiration, it is with mixed
emotions that I report to you the stepping
down of Claude Lurette as the Chair of the
CEC. Claude has worked tirelessly to make this
council the best it could, can, and will be, and
his dedication has been inspirational. He is a
true role model for every council member and
is an example to all human beings for his
selflessness and courage. On behalf of every
client of the Royal, I thank you for the
difference you have made in our lives, the
mental health system, our community, and
society as a whole.
The next time you see Claude in the hallway,
please thank him for what he has accomplished.
Claude is a hero to me and many others. He is a
hero not because he has superpowers (we are
still looking into it though) but because he
refuses to take “no” for an answer when it
comes to the health and well-being of those
who are vulnerable. He is also a hero because
he has lived through the darkness and has
come out into the light as a survivor. He desires
to provide those who are vulnerable with a
chance to experience this metamorphosis –
a chance to be relieved of the darkness. If that
does not make him as a hero, I do not know
what a hero is.
Have a lovely summer,
Shawn Thivierge
From the Desk of the CEC Chair
On dit que le papillon
Monarque
It is with heartfelt gratitude
and admiration that we
witness Claude taking on
new responsibilities as
Past Chair of the CEC.
Over the last four years,
Claude has worked tirelessly on behalf of clients to
build a Client Empowerment Council that is
strong, vibrant, and effective. We look forward to
continuing working with Claude as our resource
and advisor. His presence and energy will
continue to fuel the CEC.
The CEC belongs to you, the clients of The Royal.
The CEC is your voice. Speak to us – we welcome
your stories and your feedback about your
experiences at the Royal and in the community.
Peut survoler
It is with great excitement that we look forward
to building an even stronger CEC to support you
and to respond to your needs for client-centered
and recovery-focused care. We look forward to
talking to you and to getting to know you better.
Aussi frêle soit-il
Denise Linnay
Que disent les entomologistes
Des milliers de kilomètres
Il nous donne l’exemple
Par sa constance sa force
Il existe un papillon
Tout bleu
Miraculeux
Et d’autres scientifiques
De la santé mentale
Ont choisi, eux
Comme symbole
Complementary or Supplimentary
Therapy - Hypnotherapy
Le papillon
Pour ce qu’il dégage
Ce qu’il inspire
Ce qu’il implique
After 20 years of psychotherapy, hospitalizations
and medications, I have been blessed recently to
meet a hypnotherapist who showed me how to
use my mind’s natural ability to heal myself.
Grace Joubarne is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist living in Ottawa and one of the most empowering women I have ever met. I have been
looking for relief from my major phobia of snakes
for many, many years. I spent four summers in
desensitization therapy with no real success.
needs to do their homework. It is very important
to check out the credentials of anyone calling
themselves a hypnotherapist. You must ensure
that the practitioner is fully certified in clinical
and medical hypnotism. There are many
hypnotists calling themselves hypnotherapists
when they are not remotely qualified. Grace has
a page on her website called “Choosing Your
Hypnotherapist” where she devotes a lot of time
explaining what you need to ask for and about.
After one consultation and two sessions with
Grace, I am snake phobia free! As well, other fear
areas in my life have been set free by my own
inner healing. My life has been restored. I feel
like a new person. I am free at last of so many
symptoms that I was told would last me a
lifetime (depression, PTSD, anxiety, agoraphobia,
fears of most everything). I am starting to
decrease my medications (which I was told
would be for life), with the assistance of my
psychiatrist, and hope to be free of them within
a couple of months. My mood is improved,
my energy is restored, my interest in things is enhanced; most, if not all, of my triggers have gone.
Hypnotherapy is considered a complementary
therapy and Grace, in certain situations, will not
proceed without your psychiatrist’s written
approval. You have a right to pursue other forms
of treatment or therapy. It is always for you to
choose. I am confident in Grace’s credentials and
am passing her website address on to you for
further information –
www.graceplacewellness.com. Her telephone
number is 613-422-7027.
It is important to mention that when considering
a complementary or alternative therapy one
Va papillon !
Envole-toi !
Déploie tes ailes
Et affronte la vie
Comme elle se présente
À toi
Avec ses minutes heureuses
Ses surprises, ses défis
Ses embûches, ses balbutiements
Mais surtout
Riche de sens
Je te fais confiance
Pour guider mon chemin
Le voyage intérieur
Qui nous attend tous
Et nous comble
De ta pureté
De ta lumière
Keep well,
Carole Baker
© Marie-France Dumas
on
Camelia
Emotional
I’m an emotional chameleon.
Can you guess who I am?
I change emotional colours
according to the minute, the hour or
the day.
You can always guess my mood
according to the way I express myself;
may it be black, white, or gray.
I can be affected by the weather,
my surroundings, one on one
Or
All of the above.
If you guess that I’m just
your everyday ordinary person:
You just guessed that
And that is… Who I am.
© Dana Branda
It’s not a job, it’s a privilege
In August 2006, I was
asked if I would take on
the role as Chair of the
Client Empowerment
Council just as we we’re
beginning to find an
identity. Not knowing
what I was getting
myself into, I agreed,
and what a ride it has been. Little did I know
how the “job” would help me with the
challenges I was experiencing, and continue to
experience as I cope with my bi-polar disorder
and addiction to alcohol and illicit drugs.
Over the past 4 years, I have had the privilege
of meeting some pretty remarkable people
and was not surprised to do so. As the CEC
grew, I was in a position to meet with each
new member and find out who they are as a
person, not an illness. I have witnessed our
members grow with each experience. We have
shared our joys and our sorrows. We have been
part of a cultural revolution from its infancy
and seen it grow to see new attitudes and new
opportunities. We have learned from each
other and have taken our new skills into our
daily lives outside the walls of the Royal. And
we have just begun.
It’s now June 2010 and I am handing over the
day to day operation and direction of the
Client Empowerment Council to Denise Linnay
and her team. But my work is not done; I will
be taking on a new challenge as Past Chair of
the Client Empowerment Council. As Past
Chair, I will continue to be a guide and advisor
to the CEC as well as to the Royal Ottawa
Health Care Group. I will continue to be a
visible member at the Royal and I will continue
to provide your voice so really, nothing is
changing for me (you can’t get rid of me
that easily). What will be changing is our
progress as a team. With new leadership and
enthusiasm, the CEC will continue to be a part
of your well-being, advocating for change and
advising through membership on committees,
task groups, on the units and in the hallways.
We are stronger, better supported and
better prepared to take on the challenges
that lay ahead.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank each member of the Client
Empowerment Council for empowering me to
become the best person I can be. People think
that I am doing this for others when, in fact, I
am a selfish human being who took advantage
of every opportunity to live the best life I can
live. Thanks to Dave, Collette, Kelysha, Bruce,
Richard, Christina, Tony, Ted, Mike, Derek, John,
Jean, Ann, Anna, Shawn T, Shawn B, Shawn P,
Denise, Charles, Arlen, Carol, Ed, Tereza, Ernie,
Patricia, Mike P, Marie-France, Chris, Deborah,
Nancy, Andy and Michelle. (I know I missed
some, my apologies). And thanks to all those
who stopped by the office to ask about the
Council and offer their support and assistance.
My thanks go to Kathryn Hendricks, Sue Riley,
Bruce Swan, Bill Miller, Len Wall, Heather
Garnett, Pam Jackson and Dr Raj Bhatla who
opened the doors for us at the beginning.
Also, to George Weber, Jim Allin, Margaret
Tansey, Dr John Bradford, Nicole Loreto,
Evelyn Sparks, Karen Poole, Lindsey Webber
and the many others who are working to
ensure the door stays open.
It has been my privilege to serve you.
Claude Lurette
Past Chair
ROMHC Client Empowerment Council
Open House – May 8, 2010
On Saturday, May 8th, members of the CEC
welcomed the public who streamed through the
corridors of the hospital during the Royal’s 100th
Anniversary Celebration. So many people
showed keen interest and support for our work
at the Council and were excited by the language
we used: we are a voting member, we are a resource, we advocate for clients on systemic issues
affecting them, we engage the community, we
welcome new members...we are here for you!!
Richard C, Shawn T, Ernie S, Jean N, and I talked to
people about the work that we do at the Council.
They were quite impressed with the professionalism and the content of the Client`s Voice, our
newsletter of which Shawn T is the editor. They
were also interested in the advocacy work that
we do within the hospital and in the community
as shown in the memory book holding newspa-
per clippings, announcements, and documents
highlighting milestones of the CEC. The display
of mental health reports, studies, and documents
sparked interesting conversations. The hall wall
showed a butterfly time line outlining the history
of the CEC. Poet, Jean N, was there to tell her
story of how she came to write her poetry. Videos
of four of our members receiving the Royal`s Inspiration Awards also played. The Open House
was a wonderful event to celebrate our enthusiasm for the CEC with members of the public.
The fact that the Family Council shared our space
was a meaningful message to the public about
how clients and families can work together to
bring about change and recovery. These are exciting times and the turnout, despite the rain,
spoke of the raised level of interest and awareness within the community and the media re-
R o y a l O t t aw a O p e n H o u s e
An Ambassador’s viewpoint
The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre hosted
an Open House on the 8th of May in celebration
of its 100th Anniversary and the clients were
part of the celebration.
The Open House began with a thunderous
rainstorm but the enthusiasm inside was
sunny and warm. As the teams gathered to set
up, there was nothing but excitement for the
day. Slowly, the public arrived. Some to get out
of the rain, but others to get a head start on
the day’s activities. My role as your Co-Chair
was to be an Ambassador of the Royal and
assist in any manner I could. It was the best job
of the whole party. I had the opportunity to
visit with each booth and speak to the representatives of the Program Units and was proud
to see that ALL were represented. I also visited
with each of our Community Partners who set
up their displays in the Winter Garden and this
was their opportunity to display the good
works that are being done in the community.
The day began with a lecture in the auditorium
by Dr. Goldbloom, a respected expert in the
stigmatization of mental illness. The auditorium
was full and the information we received
was not only relevant but timely. Tours were
provided to all who signed up to have a look
behind the scenes of the Royal, including the
Sleep Disorder Clinic and the controversial
ECT labs. Stigma begins with ignorance and
opening the ECT lab gave the Royal the opportunity to dispel some of the misinformation
about Electroconvulsive Therapy.
The CEC opened its doors as well and I was
proud to see the number of people who were
interested in learning more about empowerment
and our Council. The corridor was full of
displays on the work the CEC has done over
the course of the past four years, highlighted
by a timeline of butterflies indicating key gains
made. I have never felt so much pride in others
in my whole life. We were pleased to have the
ROMHC Family Council by our side so they had
the opportunity to speak with members of the
public and health care providers on the impact
of mental illness on the family and caregivers.
garding mental health and the needs of those
living with it.
The symbol for the Open House was the butterfly
and its transformative journey from the chrysalis
stage to emerge as a beautiful butterfly. Many of
us do indeed go through a transformation in our
journey with mental health issues. There are
times where we may seem stagnant and unchanging; but, within each of us, lies the hope
and the seeds of recovery, and we do indeed
emerge from our difficult times with new insights,
with new strengths, with a new vision of life`s
purpose. We are a living testimony to the resiliency of the human spirit and to the greatness
of each one of us. We are strong! We are special!!
Denise Linnay
The day continued with a ceremonial
declaration by Larry O’Brien, Mayor for the City
of Ottawa, that May 8, 2010 is Royal Ottawa
Day. I had the opportunity to speak with a
former mayor and member of the Board of the
Royal, Jacqueline Holtzman, and to welcome
our neighbour to the south, the Carlington
Community Association.
Our dear friend and ally, Daniel Alfredsson,
visited us with his son, who had just celebrated
his birthday. Once again, Alfie showed that he
is a true champion by supporting the Royal
and including his family in the celebration. The
Butterfly Garden was opened with representatives from the community planting flowers.
The Butterfly Garden is an area designed as an
area of quiet comfort and contemplation.
There were several highlights for me as I
wandered throughout the Royal. Seeing all the
wooden butterflies being worn on just about
everyone was such a tremendous thrill, not
only because of its popularity but also due to
the creator of the butterfly lapel pin, our very
own Richard Cottingham. The flow of people
throughout the day was another highlight.
Despite the weather (or maybe due to it), the
building and grounds were always in
The Aura
As you enter this life
A beautiful newborn babe
Filled with goodness and love
A radiant light shines through
From the very centre of your being
With every colour of the rainbow
Vibrant red, glowing orange,
Sunshine yellow, the green of nature
Soft blue, deep purple, gentle violet
The brown of the earth, a halo of gold
A prism of brilliant colours
Every hue, every shade
Unique to the very special you
Extending far beyond
Touching everyone and everything
This energy of colour is you
Shining brightly, shining lovingly
As you grow and mature
These colours shift
Some coming forward, some fading, but
all remaining
Your own individual colours shine forth
strongly
Telling you your special purpose in life
Your talents, your abilities, your gifts
All are there
Top: Tim Kluke, President ROFMH, George Weber, CEO, ROHCG, Daniel Alfredsson, Captain of the Ottawa Senators
and Leader for Mental Health, Honourable Madelaine Meilleur, MPP, Nicole Loreto, Chief Communications Officer,
ROHCG, and Claude Lurette, Past Chair Client Empowerment Council, and Paul Dewar, MP. Bottom: CEC display
during Open House.
In your own special rainbow of light
Jean Nolan ©2009
movement as more and more people came to learn about the Royal. With all this interaction,
I was very pleased to see our current clients/patients interacting with the visitors and coming to
the lunch tent for hot dogs and hamburgers, donated by our good friend, Dave Smith.
After the formal presentation, I had the privilege of escorting Dr Rob Cushman, CEO and
President of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network on a personal tour of the Royal.
Dr Cushman commented that this was the first opportunity to see the inside of the Royal since its
opening in October 2006. I had the opportunity to showcase the Royal from a client’s perspective.
We learned something from each other that day.
All in all, I can’t see how the Open House could have gone any better. There is no telling how
many people came through the doors of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre that day, but
what is known is that the Royal is less of a mystery and more of a community partner. It was my
privilege to be an ambassador of The Royal.
Golden Wings, a collection of inspirational and
uplifting poetry, can be purchased by contacting
Jean at 613-897-1905.
CEC’s Meet
in Brockville
The Ottawa CEC Executive visited the Brockville
Mental Health Centre on Tuesday June 8, 2010.
This was the first opportunity for our Executives to meet. The Brockville CEC’s (BCEC) mandate is the same as the Ottawa CEC’s (OCEC) advisory and advocacy. The BCEC provided a
tour of
the grounds and some facilities at the
Brockville MHC and we had an excellent lunch
in their cafeteria.
Our two Executives met to discuss common issues and offer support, but the main agenda
item was Bill-46 “An Act respecting the care provided by health care organizations”. This Act will
change the way we are cared for in Ottawa and
Brockville as well as in the
community. Bill-46 will change the process
for Patient Complaints, changing the Patient
Satisfaction Survey, the creation of a Quality
Committee and for our main discussion at the
meeting, advising on and providing a draft of a
“Declaration of Values”, namely a Bill of Rights.
L-R (back row) : Doug McCall , Claude Lurette, Jim Allen, Bill Miller, Richard Cottingham.
L-R (front row): Evelyn Sparks, Tereza Topp, Marie-Anne, and Denise Linnay.
The BCEC will take the lead on this project with
assistance and support from the OCEC.
We agreed that our two Councils will meet
regularly as well as offer opportunities for you,
Clients Cool Off
Nancy Kohls (left), known as “The Diva of Rosemount” and Outpatient of the
Schizophrenia Ward, and Lisa Ferguson, Resident of the Month of Royal Ottawa Place,
cool off during the heat wave in early July. Remember to drink plenty of water during all
seasons, especially summer. Water is available on the first floor near the cafeteria.
the client, to have input. On this note, if you
have any comments, questions, suggestions or
advice to give us, please contact the editor at
clientsvoice@hotmail.com.
No-fee bank accounts for
people living with severe mental illness
The no-fee banking-service project is designed
specifically for people living with severe mental
illness. It’s meant not just to save these clients
money on fees but to offer a tool that will help
them manage their money better and, perhaps
as a result, feel more in control of their lives. It is
a partnership between the CMHA and the TD
Canada Trust in Ottawa that started with a pilot
project four years ago. It seems that a lot of
people living with mental illness don’t even
have bank accounts. Sometimes they have
trouble with the necessary ID, sometimes it’s the
fees that put them off, or not feeling welcome in
regular banks. So many use services like Money
Mart, which not only costs a lot to do, but leaves
people vulnerable with cash in their pockets
and a lot of days until the end of the month.
Twenty-nine people participated in the pilot
project, including many who had been patients
in the Royal Ottawa. In addition to getting a
bank card, many signed onto financialmanagement tools like automatic payment
of rent and bills such as hydro and cable.
A few also agreed to setting a weekly limit on
their withdrawals in an effort to make their
money last longer.
The evaluation done at the end of the year
found that the goals of the project had been
met and much more. Participants found that
their money did last a little longer. As well the
number of people carrying large sums of
money in their pocket went down by half.
Before, half had reported that they weren’t
paying bills on time.
Support workers were happy because with
financial issues set aside, both they and their
clients could concentrate on other recovery
goals. Bank staff reported a sense of new
comfort at dealing with this client group, and
were proud to be part of offering this service.
And family members, where they were involved,
reported that what had sometimes been a
source of stress had been removed, and
relations were better now.
With the pilot a clear success, the CMHA and
TD Canada Trust Ottawa have launched a
second phase of this service, in the same
operational partnership as in the pilot project.
This partnership brings together support
workers from The ROMHC, Salus Housing Corp.,
Carlington Community Health Centre plus
CMHA Ottawa. There are also 10 additional
bank branches involved, each committed to
offering up to 20 no-fee bank accounts to
qualified clients.
Anyone interested in signing up should speak
to their support worker, who will get the
necessary documents, help with the ID
requirement and to set up an appointment at
one of the participating branches.
Heather Menzies
Accessibility and
what it means to a disabled person
Accessibility and what it means to a disabled
person. First some dates: June 13, 2005 the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
(AODA) was passed. January 1, 2010 all public
sectors i.e. hospitals and schools, are required to
be compliant with the customer service standard. And finally January 1, 2025 the entire
Province of Ontario must be totally accessible
to all Ontarians. To give you a brief qualification
for myself, I am a member at large of the Client
Empowerment Council (CEC) and I am currently
sitting on the Accessibility Task Force (ATF).
I live in a wheelchair because I have multiple
sclerosis (MS).
There are 5 standards that must be addressed:
• Built environment (building and other
structures)
•
•
•
•
Customer service
Employment
Information and transportation
Communication
I am going to address the first standard within
the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
(ROMHC). As you first enter the main doors of
the hospital you discover that it is an automatic
sliding door and then when you approach the
reception area there are 2 levels for the speaker
opening and 2 levels for a writing surface.
Throughout the hospital there are many
automatic door openers and more will be
added as the budget allows. The washroom
on the main level has such a device and the
handicapped cubicle has been modified so that
the door swings out and an additional hook has
been added at a lower level.
The auditorium has several features concerning
accessibility. They have removed 4 seats in the
top row so that wheelchairs/walkers can be
pulled in easily and there is an elevator which
allows access to the floor level. This elevator
will remain working even if there is a fire alarm
to allow speedy removal of wheelchairs/
walkers safely.
I will be addressing other standards with
respect to the ROMHC in future issues.
Nancy Burwash
New Creative Program
Starting in September
THE CLIENT’S
Voice
Vision,
Mission,
Values, and
Philosophy
PLEO, Parents' Lifelines of Eastern Ontario will
launch its new group called “the Creative Buzz".
The Buzz will be a program that explores
creativity. It is for 16 to 26 year olds living with
a mental illness. In 2005 PLEO launched the
Source, a young adult recreation and leisure
program which runs every Friday night at the
McNabb Community Center. Phyllis GrantParker, president of PLEO, explains that after
seeing the value of the Source, PLEO wanted to
expand the program offering participants an
avenue to explore their creative side. "It is
clearly understood that Creativity is powerful
in one's journey through recovery"
In 2005 The City of Ottawa provided the
funding of the pilot project for the Source and
since then funding has been provided by a
number of sources, currently the Community
Foundation and Telus. Once again the City is
funding this new pilot project
Andrew Grant, one of the facilitators of the
Source who will also bring that experience to
the Buzz, emphasizes that you don't have to feel
you are artistic nor do you need experience.
"This is going allow all of us as a group to explore creative avenues. You might find something that really connects with you and you
want to pursue further or you might just find it
a fun night to get together and socialize and
meet new people."
The Buzz will start mid September and will be
an evening program. The date, location and
time are still being finalized but PLEO will
provide information and registration forms on
its website www.pleo.on.ca and also provide a
supply of them to be picked up at the CEC office
as soon as the details are finalized
Andrew invites anyone interested to come out
and experience both or either the Source and
the Buzz. There is still space available for both.
Smoke Free Environment
The revised Corporate Smoking Policy will come
into effect on September 30, 2010. The Client
Empowerment Council has been involved in its
design and implementation from the beginning. This policy applies to all inpatients, clients,
visitors and family/caregivers and staff.
Several attempts to educate and support the
clients who smoke at the front entrance asking
them to respect the no-smoking signs have not
been effective. As a result, a stronger policy,
including consistent enforcement has to be
implemented to ensure that everyone’s rights
are respected, including the right to clean air.
We know that a good portion of people living
with mental illness smoke as a coping mechanism.
In order to assist us, the Royal, (with input from
the CEC) has included smoking cessation
education and support in the revised policy but
we must do our part, that is, respect all the rules
and regulations. Smoking outside the designated
areas is the same as smoking on the ward, or
anywhere inside the building or vehicles.
Staff will receive education about the implementation and enforcement of this policy as
well the relationship of smoking and mental
illness and will help us during the transition to a
smoke free lifestyle, so speak to your doctor or
nurse about how they can assist you. Our hope
is that once discharged, support will continue
in the community and our overall health will
improve. Quitting or limiting smoking will also
have a benefit to our financial situation as the
money saved can provide access to community
activities that were once unaffordable.
Therefore, smoking for all clients will ONLY be
allowed in designated outdoor areas on the
Vision
Mission
Health Centre
Values
health services
Philosophy
to care
in the system
and their families
THIS IS MY STORY
During my childhood in the UK, I was abused
and then humiliated in the courts.
After additional incidents of abuse while a
teenager, now living in Canada, I made my
first suicide attempt.
I was hospitalized but that did not result in a
diagnosis and my unfamiliarity with mental
illness did nothing to lead me towards any
appropriate treatment.
I tried to give my life direction by joining the
Canadian Forces. Even though struggling with
my demons, I managed to hide my pain for
many years.
Something a little more on the positive side:
I did a lot of travelling with the Navy, island
hopping throughout the Caribbean, I also
stopped in at Columbia and Mexico, and found
out what real poverty is about, which was an
eye opener. We also visited many ports up and
down the east coast of North America and
quite a few in Western Europe. These trips
were most enjoyable.
Throughout the years I also became involved
in the Boy Scout movement. For 28 years I
found this to be a rewarding challenge first
as a cub and through the decades as a leader
and a program advisor.
It wasn’t until a physical illness weakened my
resolve that I broke down and exhibited more
recognizable symptoms of mental illness. The
military doctors were able to diagnose me
with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety
in the late 80’s.
CEC • WINTER 2009
THE CLIENT’S
Voice
Vision,
Mission,
Values, and
Philosophy
Vision
Mission
Health Centre
Values
health services
Philosophy
to care
in the system
and their families
THIS IS MY STORY
My mental illness surfaced when I was 17.
I began to have serious mood swings and have
mild hallucinations. I ended up quitting high
school in grade 11 and working two jobs to
support myself in a tiny basement apartment.
That only lasted a couple of months and I
re-enrolled in an alternative education school.
It was tough but it catered to people like me
who felt they didn’t belong in a traditional
high school. Eventually, with the support of
my mom and brother, I returned to the old
high school. When I graduated from grade 13
I applied to a college in Idaho, USA as I thought
a fresh start so far away from Toronto would
do me good. Idaho was fun and I met some
people I am still in touch with today, but I was
very lonely and missed Canada very much. In
my second year I had had enough and returned
to Toronto. I felt like a failure. That was the first
time I attempted suicide.
My first hospitalization occurred when I was
20. I was in Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto for
6 months and was diagnosed bi-polar disorder
and put on lithium. I never felt that it “worked”
for me, but I soldiered on. Two weeks after I
was released from Mt. Sinai hospital I met my
husband. He was a great support but unfortunately my illness was still very much present
and try as he might he couldn’t understand
why I continued to have uncontrollable
mood swings and thoughts of suicide and
hallucinations. I tried very hard to make things
work but I couldn’t understand it either. I
always worked outside the home and was
dedicated to my work, but changed my
employers frequently out of boredom. We had
two beautiful children who are now 25 and 23.
I had several suicide attempts and thoughts of
CEC • SPRING 2010 • 1
For electronic copies of
past issues of The Client’s Voice,
please contact
clientsvoice@hotmail.com
grounds of the Royal Ottawa and Brockville
Mental Health Centres and Royal Ottawa Place.
The designated smoking areas in Ottawa are
the smoking hut and tables west of the building
as well as the outer portion of the ring road
around the building. This means that people are
not permitted to smoke anywhere in the front
of the Ottawa campus, including the parking
lot and walkways. There are also designated
smoking areas in some courtyards but some
may be smoke free so check with your Unit for
policy and smoking times. Please respect the
9 meter line at all the doorways as this complies
with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
If you have any comments/suggestions, contact
the CEC at 613-722-6521 ext 6767 or visit our
office in room 1106 at the ROMHC. You can also
discuss this issue with the Patient Representative
by calling extension 6710.
Times are changing in the Champlain region
Dr. Rob Cushman, CEO of the Champlain Local
Health Integration Network (LHIN) since its
formation in 2005 will be leaving on December
31, 2010. The CEC and the LHINs began at the
same time, and together we have shown what
community engagement is.
Denise and I have had the privilege of working
with the LHIN for the past four years and have
seen an increase on the number of clients and
caregivers who participate at these tables.
This is due, in no small part, to Dr Cushman’s
role as CEO. On the many occasions that I have
met with him, whether in an official capacity
or a personal one, he always asks “What do
you need?”
As mentioned in the article “An Ambassador’s
Viewpoint”, I gave Dr Cushman a private tour of
The Royal and watched as he engaged each
person he met to find out what the LHIN can do
to help. He stopped at each of the community
tables to learn about the service they provide.
We stopped by the CEC’s office, where he saw
what community engagement means as the
members of the CEC were speaking with our
visitors, looked at our Butterfly Wall with the
CEC timeline, visited the office (where he signed
our guestbook) and listened to how we have
become an integral part of The Royal when it
comes to our role as advisors and advocates.
He was very impressed with the CEC.
Claude Lurette, Past Chair, Client Empowerment Council; Dr. Rob Cushman, CEO, Champlain Local Health
Integration Network; and Denise Linnay, Chair, Client Empowerment Council.
It is with mixed feelings that we say farewell to Dr Cushman. Although the Champlain LHIN still has
many challenges ahead, they will be made easier by the foundation that Dr Cushman has built as
we continue to ensure the care that every citizen receives is the best care available.
Thanks Rob and God Speed.
Claude Lurette
Past Chair, ROMHC Client Empowerment Council
Client Empowerment Council Liaison Report
Although summer is generally a quieter time,
the CEC has continued at a steady pace.
Listening to the client’s voice and speaking
with the client’s voice are key roles for the CEC.
After some discussion and debate over the
article about hypnotherapy as a complementary therapy (page 4), the CEC decided to focus
their presentation for the ROMHC Centennial on
Complementary therapies from the client
perspective. Claude and I will be presenting at
the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Conference in
Ottawa in September on Client Empowerment
and are preparing now for that presentation.
The CECs from Ottawa and Brockville are
working together over the summer to develop
a Client Bill of Rights document for the ROHCG.
Finally we had a special meeting to thank
Claude Lurette for his services to the Council
over the past 4 years. Richard Cottingham
made a beautiful wood plaque with a butterfly
on it which he presented to Claude. I would like
to personally thank Claude for his vision, focus,
hard work and the occasional cup of tea when
needed. Claude is an inspiration to us all.
Family Council Open House
Family Council members participated in the
ROMHC Open House held on May 8th. We
received many visitors and were pleased to
have the opportunity to showcase the Family
Council. We were proud that the banners for
the Family Council and the CEC were side
by side and we are sure that having them
together helped draw attention to our shared
table. Thank you to the CEC for welcoming
the FC to share their space and supplying us
with our new banner.
Who We Are
We are the voice of families/ caregivers of the
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. We are
families/ caregivers who both witness and
experience the issues surrounding mental health
care and its impact on all family members as it
relates to the clients of the Royal Ottawa Mental
Health Centre.
Our Role
The Family Council is an independent body
consisting of family members and other caregivers associated with both in- and out- patients
(clients) of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health
Centre. Our role is to advocate changes to policy
and practice as they affect clients and families,
both in and outside of the Mental Health Centre’s
settings, and to act as advisors to management
and it s Board of Trustees.
Brenda Ranger and Cynthia Clark from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre Family Council.
Contact Us
We would love to hear what you have to
say about The Client’s Voice. Feel free to
call, write, or email your questions and
comments to:
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
1145 Carling Avenue, Room 1106
Ottawa ON K1Z 7K4
613.722.6521, ext. 6767
www.rohcg.on.ca
Email:
clientsvoice@hotmail.com (Newsletter)
cec@rohcg.on.ca (Council)
Our Philosophy
• Families/ caregivers are an integral part of the
care team
• Effective treatment is always client centered
• We believe in a recovery based system of care
• Where families/ caregivers are involved and,
with the consent of the client, they should have
a voice in the treatment and recovery plan
familycounciladvisory@rohcg.on.ca
www.rohcg.on.ca
613-722-6521 x6919

Summer 2010

Transcription

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