NewsToGo
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #219 - May 1, 2009
1. Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions Public Hearings (repeat)
In issue #217 of NewsToGo, the all-party provincial legislative Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions was profiled.
They have since announced intentions to hold public hearings as a means by which to provide advice on a provincial mental health and addiction strategy.
June 2009 meetings are scheduled for: Windsor, St. Thomas, Hamilton, and Kingston.
August and September 2009 meetings are scheduled for: Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, North Bay, and Ottawa.
All information is subject to change.
The deadline to make your intentions to present known to the Select Committee in June 2009 is May 11, 2009 by 12:00 pm.
If your organization is interested in presenting to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, please contact:
Jonathan Brickwood: (416) 325-3500 or Direct: (416) 325-7352
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
2. Mental Health Commission of Canada (updates)
The MHCC is seeking a Director, Partners for Mental Health Project:
Requests for Expressions of Interest to become demonstration sites for anti-stigma initiatives (health care professionals and separately for youth) are now posted:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/ResearchContractOpportunities.aspx
A full request for proposals for a research project around the workplace and mental health has been issued:
The last blog entries on the regional stakeholder dialogues across the country have now been posted:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/blog/default.aspx
If you have the video capability, you may be able to view the streaming video of the stakeholder consultation presentation that took place in Toronto:
http://remotecontrol.jetstreammedia.com/16049
3. Making Gains 2009 (flyer and submissions information)
“Making Gains in Mental Health and Addiction: The Future is Now” is taking place November 2 – 4, 2009 in Toronto. We have attached a preliminary flyer for your information – mark the dates on your calendar!
MMS_MakingGains09_Flyer_3h_Mar27-09.pdf
The conference is now accepting submissions. The deadline is May 15, 2009. We have attached those guidelines for your information.
MakingGains09_CallForPapers.pdf
This information can also be found at:
4. Pennsylvania Study Shows Value of Certified Peer Specialists Training
This study pointed out the following: a 97% success rate in training; more importantly, 82% of those contacted a year later were working. Job satisfaction and workplace acceptance was well-rated, but an emphasis on continuing to create jobs for new trainees was important, according to researchers.
The abstract is available at:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19346209?dopt=Abstract
5. Diversity & Equity (May 28th Conference in Toronto)—repeat
The registration form including a full program description is now available and we have included this PDF file. For information about a rate for consumers, please contact Hong Fook Mental Health Association: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Conference_Brochure_Final_2009.pdf
6. Stand Up for Mental Health Shows (Ottawa and other locations)
This submission comes from the Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa (PSO) Update:
“Stand Up for Mental Health Show: Friday, May 8th in the Bronson Centre Auditorium”
Don’t just sit there, stand up! Stand Up For Mental Health is a program for people who have experience with metnal health issues learn to write & perform standup comedy. In addition to our alumni, there will be a fresh crop of newly trained funny people to entertain us.
Tickets are on sale at PSO at $5 for those who admit they’re crazy and $10 for those who deny it.
Shows also take place in Brockville (May 7th at 7 pm and on Parliament Hill in Room 200 West Block on May 12th at 6pm). Please check David Granirer’s website here for full details:
http://www.standupformentalhealth.com/
7. Voices From the Street Graduation Ceremony (Toronto)
This grassroots program trains individuals with lived experience of poverty, homelessness, and/or mental health problems. Their next crop of graduates will be honoured at a ceremony on Monday, June 15th at 1:00 pm in the Toronto City Hall Chambers. We have attached the poster; to check out the new-ish blog, visit here:
http://voicesfromthestreet.ca/
8. CrossCurrents Seeks Submissions About Schizophrenia Treatment
The request is as follows:
Hello,
I’m the editor of CrossCurrents, a Canadian magazine for mental health and addiction professionals published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. For our theme issue on schizophrenia treatment we’re putting together a section that looks at what people with schizophrenia want from treatment. It’s often the case that what psychiatrists and other mental health professionals expect/want from their clients is quite different from what clients want in terms of quality of life. I hope these submissions will help professionals understand what they are missing. We’re asking for submissions in response to these three questions:
1. Is there an aspect of your life related to having schizophrenia that treatment doesn’t address but that you wish it would? If so, what is it?
2. What does a good outcome for schizophrenia treatment look like to you? In other words, what is the most important outcome for you? E.g., get rid of hallucinations, return to work, etc.
3. Do you feel those psychiatrists or the mental health workers you deal or dealt with have or had different expectations and goals than you? If yes, then how?
Please send your answer in 50 to 200 words. You can answer all three questions, or just one or two. Be as specific as possible in your answers. Also include your age, how many years you have had schizophrenia and what city you are in. If we publish your submission, we will not print your name. Send your submission by May 7. You can email it directly to me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Hema Zbogar
Editor, CrossCurrents
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
33 Russell St.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 2S1
tel: 416 595-6714
fax: 416 595-6892
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
9. MHRC Finance Manager Position Available (Hamilton)
We have enclosed the job ad for your information (deadline is Friday, May 8, 2009).
Job_Posting_Finance_Manager.pdf
10. Health Council of Canada Findings on Collaborative Primary Care
The Health Council of Canada has published a report that shows the value of primary healthcare teams in treating chronic diseases. Mental health outcomes are cited in an example of a Community Health Centre in Nova Scotia and are being researched for a Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
The entire report is available here along with a press release:
http://www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/docs/PR/2009/MediaRelease_TeamsInAction_April2009.pdf
http://www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/docs/rpts/2009/CaseStudies_FINAL.pdf
11. ECT Devices Require Certification from FDA
According to this article, electroconvulsive treatment devices have not been approved by the American Food and Drug Administration as being safe for use in the absence of any clinical data. Manufacturers of these ECT machines have until August 2009 to make that claim:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Washington-Watch/Washington-Watch/13679
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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 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 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.
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