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Approaching wellness in drumming circles

August 7th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Approaching wellness in drumming circles)

Drum circles provide support, improving emotions and feelings in people struggling with eating disorders

picture 448A drum circle is a rhythm-based event where people gather in a circle to express themselves with African drums and percussion instruments. A facilitator guides the session, encouraging and supporting people as they reconnect with their innate sense of rhythm. Inclusiveness is a core principle–people of all backgrounds, mobility, ages and skill levels (even first-time beginners) can participate. From January 2013… (more…)

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A story of recovery

August 6th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A story of recovery)

Amy Candido lives in recovery from eating disorders

picture 446The beginning of February each year marks the launch of the Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness (PEDAW) campaign and National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

PEDAW coordinator Amy Candido has a passion for prevention, after being tortured for years by her own eating disorder.  Amy’s eating disorder began in grade eight and continued until her mid twenties.  “I was existing, not living,” she says.  From January 2013… (more…)

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“Let’s Talk” leader sets a personal and corporate example

July 18th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on “Let’s Talk” leader sets a personal and corporate example)

Mary Deacon has faced and dealt with mental health issues—in her own life and the lives of those close to her—and has become a high-profile corporate advocate for mental illness education and awareness

picture 492When Mary Deacon, the chair of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative, took to the podium at a recent Montreal conference about collaboration in mental health care, she talked about stigma, mental health and tweets. She also talked about some of the many projects being funded by the ambitious (and very successful) Let’s Talk campaigns.

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Mad Pride marks a milestone 20th year in Toronto

July 11th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Mad Pride marks a milestone 20th year in Toronto)

Mad Pride is an arts, culture, and heritage festival created by psychiatric survivors, consumers, mad people, and folks the world has labelled “mentally ill”

picture 489bMad Pride Toronto holds “a Celebration of Madness” from July 8th to July 14th,2013

There have been multiple approaches to challenging discrimination against people with disabilities/disabled people including “Pride.” These started gaining ground in North America during the 1970s thanks to groups in the disability rights movement and other social movements. Similar to how LGBTQ communities are reclaiming the word “queer”, Mad Pride activists seek to reclaim language that has been used against us such as “mad”, “nutter”, “crazy”, “lunatic”, “maniac”, and “psycho”. Reclaiming language is political and challenges discrimination. Mad Pride participants use and refuse a variety of labels. Mad Pride participants choose “mad” as an umbrella term. [source: mad pride toronto 2013] (more…)

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Health authority pulls funding from west coast mental health groups

July 4th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Health authority pulls funding from west coast mental health groups)

Vancouver Coastal Health will no longer fund a range of community-based mental health groups, in a decision that was reportedly based on VCH’s imperative to focus on “core health services”

picture 487Five community-based nonprofit groups on the west coast have lost their funding from Vancouver Coastal Health in an unexpected decision that the health authority says will increase focus on “core health services.” The affected organizations include: The Art Studios, Access Community through English (ACE) Program, British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, Mood Disorders Association of B.C., and West Coast Mental Health Network. (more…)

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Despite their effectiveness, peer support programs receive very little funding

July 4th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Despite their effectiveness, peer support programs receive very little funding)

Canada’s national mental health strategy says peer support is an essential component of mental health services—but also recognizes it’s not yet seen as a core part of the recovery process

picture 488The Mental Health Strategy for Canada promotes peer support as an essential component of mental health services. In particular, it recommends an increased number of peer support opportunities and the development of national guidelines for peer support.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada recognizes that “peer support does work: people who have lived experience with mental illness can offer those in recovery substantial benefits. The development of personal resourcefulness and empowerment—the foundation of peer support—not only improves people’s lives but also saves money by reducing the use of more formal mental health, medical and social services. But to enhance the use of peer support, the mindset inherent in the healthcare system itself must first be changed.” (more…)

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