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From old school to new school

June 16th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on From old school to new school)

Consensus about the value of recovery-based health systems and programs grows, but how are they best implemented?

The goal of many mental health services and treatments is now recovery. This wasn’t always the case. In the past, mental health professionals told people with mental illness and their families that most illnesses got worse over time. People were told to lower their expectations. But now recovery is the goal—and it can mean anything from the complete absence of the symptoms of mental illness to living a full life in the community while learning to live with ongoing symptoms. [Source: Canadian Mental Health Association]

What is the “recovery model” and how does it differ from old school approaches? And how can a recovery model be implemented? (more…)

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Mental health, citizenship, and inclusion II

June 9th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Austin Mardon, Order of Canada recipient, is about to receive an honourary degree for his mental health awareness work

In 1986, 24-year-old Austin Mardon was a junior field member with an international meteorite recovery expedition 170 miles from the South Pole. While his findings contributed to the advancement of science, the extreme hardships of the expedition left him mentally and physically disabled. Austin was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Since then, Austin has bravely survived many setbacks by evoking an indomitable will to make a contribution. He is recognized as a leader in advancing understanding and support for people with mental illness. (more…)

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Stigma awareness, art to travel

June 9th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Stigma awareness, art to travel)

Nanaimo artist and activist Wallace Malay will present about art, mental illness, and stigma at New York conference

A conference for organizing resistance against psychiatry will be held June 20-21, 2011 at the City University of New York. PsychOUT provides a forum for psychiatric survivors, mad people, activists, radical professionals, artists, scholars and students from around the world to share experiences of organizing against psychiatry. Collective resistance against the theories and interventions of institutional psychiatry has intensified over recent years. (more…)

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SWAN collective keeps art accessible

March 10th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Local gallery appeals for funds so its programs for all people, including those with disabilities, are available

Start With Art Nanaimo (SWAN) opened a studio across from the Nanaimo train station in 2009 called Studio 366. In the past year the studio has grown in use with art shows, classes, open studio times, rentals, and more. The artists’ collective had responded to a growth in interest among those working in the disability field who were using art in their practice.

Start With Art Nanaimo has a core group of board members and a growing membership that supports the founding principle that a community becomes stronger through art. SWAN aims to make art an integral part of the lives of people with disabilities, and to promote the work of artists with disabilities. (more…)

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Youth focus on addiction prevention

February 17th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Youth focus on addiction prevention)

Nanaimo Addiction Foundation works with youth to create a forum for learning, raising awareness

Substance abuse among Canadian youth is a significant issue and can result in serious harm—including injury, overdose, car crashes and sexual assault. Young people are the most likely to use substances, to engage in risky forms of use, and to experience harms as a result. 60% of illicit drug users are 15 to 24 years old.

Prevention programs are often the first line of defence in preventing and reducing drug use among youth. When done well, they are the best investment that we can make. (more…)

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Over the edge and back

November 25th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Over the edge and back)

How a father became delusional, killed his son, and now fights for awareness of the side effects of medications

“David Carmichael lives with loss, sorrow and stigma like no other. In 2004, he strangled his 11-year-old son, Ian. While severely depressed and taking Paxil, Carmichael became acutely psychotic and delusional—he thought Ian had suffered brain damage because of epileptic seizures and would harm others. Charged with first-degree murder, Carmichael was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder.” [Source: Living with mental illness by Joanne Richard, in the Toronto Sun] (more…)

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