NewsToGo
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #197 - September 5, 2008
1. Mental Health Commission of Canada Upcoming Events
The website features a new webpage listing upcoming appearances by key figures Dr. Michael Kirby and CEO Michael Howlett throughout the country, including Toronto, Niagara Falls, Thunder Bay, and Kitchener.
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/events-en.php
2. “ExtraOrdinary People” Screening September 10 at Noon (repeat)
Please review our Events listing on the revised OPDI website:
3. Call for Papers for Kitchener Conference “Canadian Innovations in Recovery”
The deadline for submissions is this coming Monday, September 15th; please check this link to download the poster at:
http://www.opdi.org/knowledgeexchange/calls_for_conference_papers_and_abstracts/
4. Mental Health Police Records Check Coalition Education Event (Hamilton) on October 7th
You can find out more about this event by downloading the flyer at:
http://www.opdi.org/events/upcoming_conferences_and_workshops/
A related Globe and Mail article recently published is also available there, along with a hyperlink to the PPAO website where a petition package can be downloaded.
5. PSR Ontario Peer Support Conference (October 28-29) in Hamilton
Please check our website listings of upcoming conferences and workshops for the flyer:
http://www.opdi.org/events/upcoming_conferences_and_workshops/
Registration closes October 20, 2008.
6. M-SAA Webcast/Teleconference August 26 (repeat)
This webcast/teleconference took place last week. For those who were unable to participate live, here are the instructions to access the archived presentation:
If you have a computer, you can log in and view the session right from your desktop or laptop: http://webcast.otn.ca/liveevents.html and select TSM: North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN_MH&A M-SAA Information Session #2_Live and Archived_001. Please go to http://webcast.otn.ca/support.html prior to the meeting to make sure you have the latest version of Media Player and your computer is set up properly to view the webcast.
7. Teen Suicides Affect Two Ontario Families
This media account of two young Ontarians and their experiences with antidepressants are profiled:
http://healthzone.ca/health/article/489505
8. One-Stop Shopping for Criminal Justice Information
The Ministry of the Attorney General now has a hyperlink that will guide individuals through the complex judicial system. A press release and other information can be found at:
http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/news/2008/20080827-jo-nr.asp
9. Advocacy Resource: Poverty Law Services Toolkit
This toolkit is targeted for use by individuals and organizations in the community who work with low-income individuals and/or marginalized communities who need poverty law services. Research, lobby, networking, and information-sharing are strategies covered in this downloadable resource available at:
http://planc.povnet.org/PLANC_resources/toolkit
10. “Friends of the Archives” at CAMH Offers Bursaries for 2009
The “Friends of the Archives” at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), devoted to the history of Canadian psychiatry, mental health and addictions, have established two endowment funds. These funds annually provide bursaries in memory of their late colleagues, Ms. E.M. (Lil) Hewton and Dr. J.D.M. (Jack) Griffin, O.C.
The main purpose of the bursaries is to provide financial assistance to students, and others not necessarily associated with an academic institution, who proposes to undertake archival research on an aspect of the history of mental health or addictions in Canada. The FOA board at its discretion may approve bursaries to a maximum of $2,500.
There is no application form. Candidates are invited to submit a letter of intent not exceeding 300 words, together with a budget and résumé, not later than November 30, 2008. These awards are conditional on the bursary holders agreeing to submit progress reports within one year and a final report, including a financial statement, within two years of receiving the bursary.
Please submit an application for the year 2009 by the November 30th, 2008, deadline to:
Vivienne Gibbs, President – Friends of the Archives
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
1001 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H4
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail . For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail .
Thanks for reading!
The Staff of OPDI
NewsToGo is OPDI’s e-mail update providing timely and meaningful information to its stakeholders. The ideas expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of OPDI. We welcome your submissions; please direct them to . Preference will be given to material which directly relates to OPDI member affiliates and issues of concern to consumer/survivors throughout Ontario. We reserve the right to edit the length and style of all materials submitted. The current and back issues of NewsToGo can be found at http://www.opdi.org.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #196 - August 29, 2008
1. Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene To Be Divested to Local Hospital
Please review the press release for the official word:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_08/aug/nr_20080828.html
2. Mental Health Police Records Check Coalition “Globe and Mail” Feature
This article with readers’ comments can be accessed here:
3. M-SAA Webcast/Teleconference August 26 (Archive Information)
This webcast/teleconference took place last week. For those who were unable to participate live, here are the instructions to access the archived presentation:
If you have a computer, you can log in and view the session right from your desktop or laptop: http://webcast.otn.ca/liveevents.html and select TSM: North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN_MH&A M-SAA Information Session #2_Live and Archived_001. Please go to http://webcast.otn.ca/support.html prior to the meeting to make sure you have the latest version of Media Player and your computer is set up properly to view the webcast.
We have attached the presentation forwarded in advance of the webcast.
Multi_Sectoral_SAA_Consultation_Presentation_v1_Aug_25_08.pdf
4. “ExtraOrdinary People” Screening September 10 at Noon
Please review our Events listing on the revised OPDI website:
5. Friendly Spike Theatre Band “Trick or Treat” Drama Workshop
The Friendly Spike Theatre Band in Toronto is offering an eight-week drama workshop with a public presentation on Halloween:
Location and Time: May Robinson Auditorium at 20 West Lodge (1 block and one block north of Queen) on Friday (September 5, 12, 19, 20 and October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31) between 6:30 and 9:30 pm.
Participants will form a troupe of actors who will develop scenes from lived experiences. The scenes will be presented on the final session October 31st – HALLOWE’EN!
Register at or call 416 516 4740
6. Self-Help Awareness Week Events (OSHNET submission)
“Mutual Aid and Mental Health” is the theme for this year’s Self-Help Awareness Week, running Sept. 22nd - 27th, 2008. The Ontario Self-Help Network (OSHNET) provides resources, consultation, and training across the province. In Ontario, you can reach us by calling toll-free 1-888-283-8806, visiting the website at http://www.selfhelp.on.ca or by emailing .
The week’s events include: the launch of a new French resource on how to start a self-help group; Annual General Meeting with guest speaker Dr David Goldbloom, vice-chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada; two workshops on starting a starting a self-help group (including an on-line one); workshops on Facilitation Skills and a listing of other events as the information becomes available. Meet the staff, check out our reference library, learn about our referrals to over 400 support groups in the GTA and pick up copies of our free materials.
7. Ontario Mental Health Foundation Deadlines
The Ontario Mental Health Foundation is accepting proposals for the funding of research. The Foundation aims to promote the mental health of people living in Ontario, to prevent mental illness and to improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. The Foundation looks to people with mental disorders, providers and the research community to identify important and innovative areas of research.
Application deadlines for the year 2008 are as follows: Research Project Grants: Friday, September 19, 2008 at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time)
Fellowships and Studentships: Friday, October 31, 2008 at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time)
Application forms and guidelines for all of the Foundation’s competitions are available online and can be downloaded for you to complete.
http://www.omhf.on.ca/home/index.html
8. PPAO New Info-Guide Updates:
Newly revised information sheets are now available for the following topics:
Appealing Consent and Capacity Board Decisions:
http://www.ppao.gov.on.ca/inf-con.html
Appealing Legal Aid Ontario Decisions:
http://www.ppao.gov.on.ca/inf-lao.html
Complaints about Lawyers or Legal Fees
http://www.ppao.gov.on.ca/inf-law.html
Complaints about Regulated Health Professionals
http://www.ppao.gov.on.ca/inf-cmp.html
9. Human Rights in Housing in Canada: An Advocate’s Guide
The Centre for Equality in Accommodation has published a downloadable guide to help anyone challenge discrimination in housing. You can access this valuable resource at:
http://www.equalityrights.org/cher/index.cfm?nav=guide
10. Seniors Programs for Ontarians
For a one-stop guide to programs of interest to seniors in this province, you can go to this link:
http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/seniors/english/programs/poi/
11. LIEN Offers Energy Conservation Guide for Renters
The Low Income Energy Network (LIEN) has made available this booklet online and it is available at:
http://www.lowincomeenergy.ca/A55AB4/lien.nsf/All/home
12. MHCC Position Available
The job posting for a senior policy research officer can be found here:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/documents/EN_Senior_Policy_Research_Officer_Aug_29.pdf
13. Online Psychology Tests You Can Take
This hyperlink takes you to the New York Times health blog where you can find more links to psychology tests and a roundup article from Psych Central:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/best-online-psychology-tests/
14. American Psychological Association Debates Ethics of Interrogation
Previously psychologists had been used as consultants to prepare military interrogation techniques in the American War on Terror:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/16/america/ethics.php
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail . For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail .
Thanks for reading!
The Staff of OPDI
NewsToGo is OPDI’s e-mail update providing timely and meaningful information to its stakeholders. The ideas expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of OPDI. We welcome your submissions; please direct them to . Preference will be given to material which directly relates to OPDI member affiliates and issues of concern to consumer/survivors throughout Ontario. We reserve the right to edit the length and style of all materials submitted. The current and back issues of NewsToGo can be found at http://www.opdi.org.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #195 - August 22, 2008
1. MHCC Receives Extension and Additional Funding at CMA AGM Speech
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has had its term extended from the original 5 years to a decade. Federal Health Minister Tony Clement also announced a boost in funding from $55 to $130 million.
You can read about the announcement at the Canadian Medical Association website, where it was announced at their annual meeting. Mixed into this article are the contentious views of the federal government around harm reduction:
http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/86936/la_id/1.htm
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has the following reaction to the announcement on their website:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/documents/EN_ApplaudOttawaAug1808.pdf
2. CMA Releases National Survey on Stigma and Mental Illness
The CMA released a survey indicating that attitudes among Canadians around stigma and mental illness are still alarmingly negative:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/08/15/mental-health.html
3. M-SAA Webcast/Teleconference August 26 2 -3 pm (repeat)
As required under the Local Health System Integration Act (LHSIA) by March 2009, all LHIN-funded Health Service Providers in the Mental Health and Addictions Sector need to have signed a Service Accountability Agreement (SAA) with the LHIN that funds them. A standard template agreement has been prepared, complete with schedules, for consultation.
Please join us for a second information and update session on the
Mental Health & Addictions Service Accountability Agreement
(M-SAA) Template at:
August 26, 2008 - 2-3pm
(Webcast and teleconference information will follow shortly.)
4. ARCH Survey on Tribunal Barriers (August 25th Deadline)
ARCH is conducting an overview of the barriers experienced by people with disabilities at Tribunals in Ontario.
If you had or are waiting to have a hearing and/or mediation at the Social Benefits Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal or the Landlord and Tenant Board and you have a disability, we need you to tell us about your experience at the above Tribunals. We ask that you complete our confidential survey. Your responses to questions in this survey will have a direct impact on ARCH’s work in making the justice system more accessible for people with disabilities. The deadline to complete the survey is August 25th, 2008.
To complete the survey, please go on-line to http://archdisabilityl.survey.sgizmo.com or phone Viktoria at ARCH Disability Law Centre Toll-free at 1-866-482-2724 or TTY at 1-866-482-2728.
5. Mental Health Police Records Check Coalition Petition Package (action requested)
Please find enclosed the detailed instructions and a blank petition form and forward the completed documents as directed. The first deadline is the first week of September; future dates include November 2008.
Petition_Instruction_Package.pdf
6. PPAO Submission on Bill 77
Bill 77 is the proposed Services for People with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008. As such the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office’s response would be of particular interest to stakeholders interested in the dual diagnosis field. We have attached this document for your information.
Bill_77_-_PPAO_submission.pdf_-_Adobe_Acrobat_Professional_.pdf
7. “ODSP Raise the Rate Campaign” Toolkit
Houselink is an organization that is part of the ODSP Action Coalition. They have come up with a toolkit to lead a campaign to raise Ontario Disability Support Program rates by 20%. In light of the ongoing anti-poverty agenda proposed by the provincial government, the timing is appropriate for you to consider taking action. This is attached for your information.
2_ODSP_campaign_package_(3).doc
8. Shorter Hospital Stays for Canadians with Mental Health Issues
The Canadian Institute for Health Information study found a reduction in the length of hospital visits for mental health consumers as measured in 2000 – 2001 (33 days) and subsequently in 2005 – 2006 (16 days). We have the press release with links to the report, and sample stakeholder reaction in the news article:
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_19aug2008_e
9. Peer Advocates in Emergency Room and Inpatient Units Profiled
This New York state newspaper highlights the work being done by mental health consumers in Ellis Hospital:
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/aug/14/0814_Peer/
You can find out more about the program at this website:
http://www.ellishospital.org/mentalhealth/Peer.htm
10. Consumer-Run Residential Crisis Programs Healthier than Psychiatric Wards
Greater symptom improvement and service satisfaction was experienced in consumer-run facilities compared with locked inpatient units in this longitudinal study. The authors also noted the cost-effectiveness in addition to improved health outcomes.
We have a press release and a link to the journal with this article:
http://www.phi.org/news-viewRelease.cfm?pressReleaseID=156&year=2008
11. Voluntary Exercise may not Improve Mental Health
This Dutch study suggests that there might be a genetic factor to explain the difference between exercise and mood:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117213.php
12. Postpartum and Depression Theory Involves Serotonin Link
How a fetus gets its nutrition and oxygen may in turn affect the mother’s biochemistry and can lead to postpartum depression is explained here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117699.php
13. Fruit Juice Linked to Reduction in Drug Effects
We have a media report and press release of a study reviewing the link between drinking fruit juice and its effect on medication:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080819/juice_drugs_080819/20080819?hub=Health
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/acs-nrt072308.php
14. OPDI’s Revised Website
Check out OPDI’s website here:
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail . For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail .
Thanks for reading!
The Staff of OPDI
NewsToGo is OPDI’s e-mail update providing timely and meaningful information to its stakeholders. The ideas expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of OPDI. We welcome your submissions; please direct them to . Preference will be given to material which directly relates to OPDI member affiliates and issues of concern to consumer/survivors throughout Ontario. We reserve the right to edit the length and style of all materials submitted. The current and back issues of NewsToGo can be found at http://www.opdi.org.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #194 - August 15, 2008
1. A Very Exciting Announcement from the Board and Staff of OPDI (repeat)
Please view the attachment for more information.
OPDI_News_Release_08_08_08.pdf
2. M-SAA Webcast/Teleconference August 26 2 -3 pm (hold the date!)
As required under the Local Health System Integration Act (LHSIA) by March 2009, all LHIN-funded Health Service Providers in the Mental Health and Addictions Sector need to have signed a Service Accountability Agreement (SAA) with the LHIN that funds them. A standard template agreement has been prepared, complete with schedules, for consultation.
Please join us for a second information and update session on the
Mental Health & Addictions Service Accountability Agreement
(M-SAA) Template at:
August 26, 2008 - 2-3pm
(Webcast and teleconference information will follow shortly.)
In the meantime, we are attaching the most recent version of the template and a FAQ from last week’s NewsToGo.
Draft_SAA_Template_for_LHIN_Multi-Sector_Consultations.doc
3. Community Mental Health and Addictions Organizations Update from MOHLTC
OHRS Chapter 7, Version 6.2, for all Community Mental Health and Addictions organizations is now available on the ministry website, http://www.mohltcfim.com effective for 2008/09.
Included in the chapter is Appendix A (Functional and Accounting Centres), Appendix C (Statistical Accounts) and a Summary Table of Statistics by Functional and Accounting Centres.
4. Deadline for PHIPA Written Submissions Approaching
The Personal Health Information Protection Act is required by legislation to be reviewed regularly. The deadline to request an oral presentation at committee hearings has passed. However, written submissions will be accepted with a deadline of Thursday, August 28, 2008. The official announcement is here:
5. “ExtraOrdinary People” Screening at Elgin Mills 10 Cinemas
The Krasman Centre has extended an invitation for an afternoon at the movies (concession stand available, of course) on September 10th at 12 pm for a wonderful documentary filmed locally about mental health recovery and the impact of discrimination. Here’s your chance to view it if you missed the sold-out screening at last year’s “Rendez-vous with Madness” Festival at the Workman Theatre. Alternately, you can order the DVD. We have attached both the screening poster and a DVD information form.
EOP_Poster_for_Screening_Hosts_8_5_x_11_poster_-_PDF.pdf
Admission is FREE for consumer/survivors.
Directions to the cinema can be found here:
http://www.tribute.ca/theatre/Empire+Elgin+Mills+10+Cinemas,+Richmond+Hill/ELGIN
To get there, take the Viva Blue bus (either Newmarket or Bernard route stops at Elgin Mills) from Finch transit terminal on the Yonge subway line. More information can be found at:
6. CMA Mental Health Podcast To Feature Michael Kirby
This press release announces the forthcoming series of online educational seminars beginning with a conversation on mental health between Dr. Kirby and a psychiatrist whose clients are all physicians:
7. Mood Disorders of Ontario “Touched by Fire” Exhibit Returns
The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO) is organizing its second annual art exhibition, Touched by Fire, to celebrate the work of Ontario artists who suffer from a mood disorder (depression/bipolar). All pieces will be provided by artists living with, or recovered from, a mood disorder. We are encouraging the public to participate in this unique and widespread event by encouraging and assisting artists to enter and by passing this information on to others who may be interested.
Please note that this is NOT a fund-raiser for MDAO. Rather, it is an opportunity to celebrate the creative works of individuals with mood disorders. All proceeds from art sales will go directly to the respective artist/representative. In addition to the Show and Sale, MDAO has developed an on-line gallery where we will showcase the artists’ work on an on-going basis.
The exhibition will run from November 13 - 15, 2008 at the Gladstone Hotel where a by-invitation opening will be held on November 13th, 2008.
You can learn more by checking the website at:
8. ARCH Survey on Tribunal Barriers (Survey Deadline Extended)
ARCH is conducting an overview of the barriers experienced by people with disabilities at Tribunals in Ontario.
If you had or are waiting to have a hearing and/or mediation at the Social Benefits Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal or the Landlord and Tenant Board and you have a disability, we need you to tell us about your experience at the above Tribunals. We ask that you complete our confidential survey. Your responses to questions in this survey will have a direct impact on ARCH’s work in making the justice system more accessible for people with disabilities. The deadline to complete the survey is August 25th, 2008.
To complete the survey, please go on-line to http://archdisabilityl.survey.sgizmo.com or phone Viktoria at ARCH Disability Law Centre Toll-free at 1-866-482-2724 or TTY at 1-866-482-2728.
9. Edmond House in Parkdale Closer to Reality
Positive news about supportive housing can be found in this article about a resurrected development in Toronto:
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/parkdale/article/53503
10. Legal Aid Assistance and the Poor
This Op-Ed piece considers the consequences of people on limited incomes who are grappling with so many poverty-related issues and having to cope with the justice system:
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/477991
11. Mindful Meditation at CAMH Profiled
A multiple-group trial involving this method of psychotherapy is taking place; there is also an interesting debate in the comments that follow the article:
12. Employment Opportunities at MOHTLC in Information Systems
Please review the attached job postings for managers.
Health_System_Information_Management_and_Investment_Division.pdf
13. CMHA Ontario Job Postings
CMHA, Ontario is developing a new program “Minding Our Bodies”. The project promotes physical activity for mental health consumers, and is looking for a Program Developer and a Program Coordinator.
If you are a graduate with experience in physical activity and health promotion, program planning and working with individuals with disabilities, either position may be of interest. The candidate would work in our downtown office at University and Dundas Ave. W in Toronto.
The positions have been attached for your information.
Program_Developer_Job_Description_Aug_8.pdf
Program_Coordinator_Job_Description_Aug_8.pdf
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail . For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail .
Thanks for reading!
The Staff of OPDI
NewsToGo is OPDI’s e-mail update providing timely and meaningful information to its stakeholders. The ideas expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of OPDI. We welcome your submissions; please direct them to . Preference will be given to material which directly relates to OPDI member affiliates and issues of concern to consumer/survivors throughout Ontario. We reserve the right to edit the length and style of all materials submitted. The current and back issues of NewsToGo can be found at http://www.opdi.org.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #193 - August 8, 2008
1. A Very Exciting Announcement from the Board and Staff of OPDI
OPDI to train 200 Peer Supporters with $196,200 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant
(Toronto, Ontario, August 8, 2008) – The Ontario Peer Development Initiative (OPDI) will train 200 Ontarians with the lived experience of mental health issues to assist others in their recovery, thanks to a $196,200 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This two-year project will also develop a made-in-Ontario peer support training toolkit that can be shared with consumer/survivor initiatives (CSIs) across the province.
“I am pleased that OPDI has received a Trillium Foundation Grant for this important project”, said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “Our government is committed to improving the lives and health of all Ontarians and this innovative, made-in-Ontario initiative will help to better support those living with mental health issues.”
“In researched studies and pilot projects, peer support has saved many millions of dollars through shortened hospital stays and reduced readmissions, and has improved the lives of people with serious mental illness in many ways”, says Deborrah Sherman, Executive Director of OPDI. “Peer supporters assist individuals by reducing their social isolation, by modeling their own recovery, and by sharing their own successful coping skills to reduce symptom distress, navigate the mental health system, and deal with everyday life as well as mental health crises.”
While several CSIs in the province have initiated their own peer training courses and manuals, most have no consistent processes. Through this project OPDI will bring together the most effective good practices of all to create a train-the-trainer program all Ontario peer-run organizations can access.
“This is welcome and exciting news to our membership. We thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their recognition and investment in the value of peer supports led by mental health consumer/survivors”, says Joel Johnson, President of OPDI.
OPDI is a membership-based organization which represents some 50 of Ontario’s consumer/survivor initiatives and organizations that work within the mental health system.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For 25 years, the Foundation has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit http://www.trilliumfoundation.org
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For more information, please contact:
Deborrah Sherman, Executive Director
2. MH & A Partnership ER Strategy Brief Submitted to LHINs (update)
“Addressing Emergency Department Wait Times and Enhancing Access to Community Mental Health & Addictions Services and Supports” is a final draft of the joint submission that was submitted to former Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman in May 2008. Consumer/survivors and stakeholder organizations will be interested in that peer support investments in warmlines and discharge planning figure among the five major recommendations for action. We have attached this for your information.
Addressing_ER_and_System_Navigation_for_MHA_july_2008.pdf
Subsequently, as the attached covering letter shows, this document has been forwarded to the LHINs.
The Partnership is made up of Addictions Ontario, CAMH, CMHA Ontario, Ontario Association of Patient Councils, the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs, and OPDI.
3. Multi-Sectoral Service Accountability Agreement Survey (RSVP ASAP)
The LHINs have developed a draft Multi-Sectoral Service Accountability Agreement (M-SAA) that will apply to five sectors: Community Mental Health and Addictions; Community Health Centres; Community Support Services and CCACs. The M-SAA was developed utilizing the existing service agreements/service accountability agreements that were assigned by the MOHLTC to the LHINs as of April 1, 2007. The LHINs have established a Consultation Team for each sector to work with the LHIN Steering Committee and the field to ensure the process is well-communicated and that effective feedback is received. Over the next several weeks, the MH&A Consultation Team will be seeking your input on various matters and sharing with you relevant information about the process. The Federation website, CMHA Ontario, and Addictions Ontario websites will be all be used to ensure consistent and up-to-date information flow. Please check these sites regularly and look for e-mails about the process.
If you have not responded to this survey, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=eJsu0OBW_2bFz5hpCFQhJHRA_3d_3d
For those who did not have a chance to attend the July 10th webinar on M-SAA, it has been archived and is accessible at:
http://webcast.otn.ca/archives.html
This is the fourth item listed - (TSM 4616052 Local Health Integration Network Mental Health and Addiction Multi-Sectoral Service Accountability Agreement Live and Archived).
We have also attached the most recent copy of the M-SAA Template and a FAQ sheet for your reference.
4. Ontario Health Premium Legislative Hearings
The Ontario Health Premium was introduced in the 2004 provincial budget and by law, has to be reviewed after five years. Here’s a media report of the one-day committee hearing; we have first included a link to the budget page where the Health Premium is explained:
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/media/2004/bk-ohp.html
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/472962
5. Globe and Mail “Breakdown” Series: Story on Peer Support
Here’s a perceptive account of how one person uses peer support to cope with her mental health diagnosis:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080801.mhsusan0208/CommentStory/mentalhealth/
6. Virtual Teleconferencing – A Sign of the Future?
Four hospitals in the Central East LHIN have partnered to develop videoconferencing capabilities that will allow for better access to children and youth psychiatry services:
http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/whitby/article/104155
7. Ontario Social Assistance Recipients – Two Different Stories
The first article refers to the employment supports that are being used to help people on Ontario Works find work. The second reflects a municipality’s perspective that the weakening economy will increase demand on OW and ODSP; while the province has committed to covering more of the costs, it is still a significant expense:
http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1133347
http://www.northpeel.com/Brampton/Brampton/News/article/53856
8. PPAO Correspondence with Canada Post
NewsToGo recently reported on the laudable effort by Canada Post to sell a special stamp with an extra charge, with the money going towards its new charity. PPAO has forwarded some correspondence regarding the proposed stamp design which has been attached for your information.
9. MOHLTC “New Directions” Online Newsletter
You can read about ongoing changes within the Ministry by consulting back issues of their newsletter at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/transition/newsletters.html
10. “Pathways to Housing” Op-Ed Article
The author, a family member, puts his perspective across on why providing housing first can be an effective gateway to successful intervening with mental health and addiction consumers:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-neugeboren/homeless-no-more-the-path_b_116399.html
11. Overview of Coffee – Benefits and Risks
This informative article includes an index of the caffeine level in common beverages along with latest research from the field:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/health/05brod.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
12. Access to Psychotherapy Services Shrinking
This trend reported in the U.S. is due to medical insurance covering short visits (for drug prescriptions) to physicians but not for long psychotherapy sessions and also because newer medications have fewer reported side-effects:
13. Osgoode Hall Law School CE Certificate Program in MH Law
This year-long program covers six Friday sessions in downtown Toronto and features top-notch faculty members recognizable to stakeholders and front-line staff in the field. We have attached the link to the webpage:
http://www.osgoodepd.ca/cle/mental_health_law/index.html
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The Staff of OPDI
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