NewsToGo
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #248 - March 5, 2010
1. Ontario Government Signals Health-Based Allocation Model Funding for Hospital Procedures May be Approaching
This front-page exclusive story in the Toronto Star seems to highlight a fundamental change in the way hospitals will be challenging for funding:
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/774800—hospitals-face-push-to-compete-for-cash
In these related stories from the Globe and Mail’s Adam Radwanski, the topics of LHINs and health reform show up also:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/radwanski/radical-not-just-yet/article1490241/
2. CAMH Launches Knowledge Portal
The press release is here:
With the launch of the KnowledgeX professional portal, CAMH provides the first electronic resource aimed directly at professionals working in the mental health and addictions field.
3. “Widening the Lens on Leadership Support” (Toronto)
The OPDI website provides full details on this April 20 – 21 conference at Atlantis, Ontario Place in Toronto with a full complement of leading speakers on recovery:
We have enclosed the flyer and registration form for your information.
Leadership_Event_-_Registration_Form.doc
4. Calls for Conference Papers
A call for papers has gone out for the PSR RPS Canada conference taking place in Ottawa this September.
The CMHA National Conference “Thriving in 2010” is still accepting online proposals.
For more information, please refer to:
http://opdi.org/knowledgeexchange/calls_for_conference_papers_and_abstracts/
5. Updates on Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
The OPDI website has been refreshed with new events. They can be viewed at:
http://opdi.org/events/upcoming_conferences_and_workshops/
6. Updates on Future Events
The OPDI website has been refreshed with more educational opportunities into spring and further into 2010. You can find them all at:
http://opdi.org/events/mark_your_calendars/
7. Is Depression A Good Thing?
This article considers whether depression has an upside:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/magazine/28depression-t.html
8. Depression as a Disease – Think Again
The author of “Manufacturing Depression: the Secret History of a Modern Disease” calls for empathy and understanding rather than viewing mental health consumers through the lens of a diagnosis alone:
9. “The North Americanization of Mental Health”
The podcast of this show is available online. Please go to this link and look for the February 24th show to stream it on your computer:
http://www.tvo.org/cfmx/tvoorg/theagenda/
10. Dixon Hall Labour Link (casual labourers available)
A flyer advertising this service is attached.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #247 - February 19, 2010
1. Deadline for Community Mental Health & Addictions Organizations to Adopt Financial Software at No Cost is Approaching (repeat)
The Community Care Information Management (CCIM) program’s Community Mental Health & Addictions Management Information Systems (CMH&A MIS) project is now nearing completion. CMH&A organizations that plan to adopt the financial software consisting of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft FRx and Quadrant MIS Suite need to sign a letter of commitment and submit it to the CMH&A MIS project before March 31, 2010. For more details, please see the attached CMH&A MIS Bulletin and Letter of Commitment.
CMH_A_MIS_Letter_of_Commitment.pdf
2. Workplace Leave and a Mental Health Diagnosis: Research Findings
The main point of the study done by CAMH shows that individuals who take time off from work because of a mental health problem are 7 times more likely to leave work again compared with those who have a physical disability:
3. Making the Case for Harm Addiction
The Globe and Mail’s André Picard focuses on one aspect of harm reduction as it applies to street drugs:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/the-lack-of-needles-and-the-damage-done/article1472756/
4. Do Anti-Depressants Really Work?
A feature article that is skeptical and an opinion piece that begs to differ are both available from the online edition of Newsweek magazine:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/232781
http://www.newsweek.com/id/232782
5. A Positive Attitude Linked with Lower Risk of Heart Attack
You can read more about this study:
6. Canadian Harm Reduction Network Community Meeting (Toronto)
The Canadian government has proposed new legislation that will increase prison populations, and they are committed to building new prisons to accommodate them (despite ‘crime’ rates remaining stable or going down). Without a doubt, Canada is moving towards the US-style of justice. More prisons, less justice.
Are you concerned?
Law-and-order legislation and increased prison construction will not make our communities safer. In fact, if things transpire as they have in the US, the result will be just the opposite.
Money spent on new prisons could be spent on increasing income subsidies, affordable housing, effective drug and harm reduction programs, youth programs, etc. - that is, actions shown to be far more effective in diminishing crime than are tougher sentences and additional prisons.
Please join us to talk about what we can do to address this!
Date: Saturday, February 27
Time: 2 to 5 pm
Location: Steelworkers’ Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
7. George Brown and CAMH—Mental Health Conference (Toronto)
This hyperlink will provide full details on this Thursday, March 4 all-day conference featuring physician and author Gabor Maté.
http://www.georgebrown.ca/mental-health-conference/index.aspx
8. Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference (Winnipeg)
Please join us in Winnipeg, Manitoba from May 13 to 15, 2010 The 11th Canadian Conference on Collaborative Mental Health Care takes place May 13 – 15 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information, please check out the website:
9. Mental Health Conference on Recovery and Diversity
The conference on the topic of “Recovery Approaches to Trauma and Mental Illness in Racialized Communities: A Community Perspective” takes place on Tuesday, June 8th on the Ryerson University Campus. We have attached the flyer for your information.
10. PSR Canada/RPS Canada 2010 Ottawa Conference
“Rediscovering PSR in a New Decade” is the theme of the September 20 – 23 event. The flyer is enclosed.
11. PPAO Rights Advisor Positions Available
Are you concerned about the rights and autonomy of persons living with mental illness? Are you a flexible effective communicator able to empower vulnerable individuals impacted by the mental health system?
We are currently recruiting Rights Advisers for Kitchener, Toronto and Ottawa. A full job description is available at the OPS Careers website. Applications are accepted online only from http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca. Closing date is March 3, 2010.
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #246 - February 12, 2010
1. Deadline for Community Mental Health & Addictions Organizations to Adopt Financial Software at No Cost is Approaching
The Community Care Information Management (CCIM) program’s Community Mental Health & Addictions Management Information Systems (CMH&A MIS) project is now nearing completion. CMH&A organizations that plan to adopt the financial software consisting Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft FRx and Quadrant MIS Suite need to sign a letter of commitment and submit it to the CMH&A MIS project before March 31, 2010. For more details, please see the attached CMH&A MIS Bulletin and Letter of Commitment.
CMHA_MIS_Letter_of_Commitment.pdf
2. Mental Health Commission of Canada Housing Roundtable Consultations
The project “Turning the Key: Assessing Housing and Related Supports for Persons Living with Mental Health Problems and Illnesses” will inform the Commission on current housing and community support needs for people living with mental health problems and/or mental illness in Canada. Webinars are being offered in the coming weeks; to be a participant, please read the invitation and instructions (both are enclosed).
Consumer_Consultation_Invite.pdf
Webinar_Webpage_FINAL_(0120)_(2).pdf
3. “Don’t Waste Talent” (ODSP Employment Supports)
The Ministry of Community and Social Services has rebranded ODSP Employment Supports with a newly revised website:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/talent/
4. Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Workshop (repeat)
Get ready, get set, implement!
The Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs has designed an interactive workshop to assist its members implement the accessibility standards for customer service. It’s the law that all organizations must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and regulations within the timeframes specified.
What you will learn:
Navigating your way through the AODA and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulations can be a daunting and time-consuming task. This workshop walks participants through each requirement of the AODA and the standard and explains in clear language what you must do to be in full compliance.
What you will take away
OFCMHAP and its partners, the Accessibility Directorate, OPDI and OAPC have developed a tool kit and resource manual that accompanies the workshop. The tool kit contains action plans, sample policies, procedures, training resources, and feedback from those who use the services of mental health and addiction service providers.
Who should attend?
If you are responsible for developing, approving or implementing policies and procedures for your organization or if you are responsible for staff training, then this workshop is designed for you.
The workshops will be on the following dates in these areas. Further workshops in other areas will be announced.
Date: March 19th, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Toronto
Date: March 26th, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Welland
Date: April 16, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Belleville
Date: April 23rd
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ft. Frances
How to Register
Call 416-490-8900 X 21 or e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Give your name, telephone number, date and location of workshop
Please register early as space is limited.
5. Leaders Mobilizing Change (Culture and MH Workshop) (repeat)
Leaders Mobilizing Change is a workshop that will inspire educate and equip leaders with the tools for making mental health services more culturally responsive.
The recent 5-year research program CURA: Taking Cultural Seriously in Community Mental Health (http://www.takingcultureseriouslycura.ca) found that the needs of marginalized cultural linguistic communities were not being met by the community mental health system. As a result of this research, there are a now number of initiatives underway that aim to make mental health services more culturally responsive.
One of these initiatives is Leaders Mobilizing Change, a day-long workshop led by the Centre for Community Based Research. The workshop aims to bring together leaders in community mental health, settlement organizations and leaders in cultural linguistic communities. The purpose of the workshop is to support systems and organizational change by identifying local opportunities and strategies to move culture from the margins to the core of mental health services.
Who should attend: Senior and middle management, executive directors and decision makers in mental health and settlement organizations, and leaders in cultural linguistic communities.
$75.00 Organization/Agency
$15.00 Cultural Community Members (not affiliated with an organization or agency)
A series of day-long workshop is being held across the province. To find out more, visit:
http://www.communitybasedresearch.ca/Page/View/Theatre_Leadership_.html
To register, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B885HLJ
6. DSM-5 Draft Version Released and Available for Public Comment
Please refer to this article for full details:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/health/10psych.html?em
The website for the DSM-5 draft is here:
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx
7. Paxil Makes Tamoxifen Ineffective in Breast Cancer Treatment
Paroxetine (Paxil) was the only one of the SSRIs tested for which this finding proved true:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/02/09/breast-cancer-ssri-tamoxifen.html
8. Federal Government Appeals Insite Ruling
By launching the appeal of the Insite ruling, which allows the supervised drug injection location, it signals that the current government does not accept this aspect of an addiction harm reduction strategy:
9. Bipolar Disorder and High School Academic Success
This study points to a possible correlation between people who do well academically in high school and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder later in life:
The free abstract is here:
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/196/2/109
10. Depression and the Use of the Internet
Research findings in this survey suggest that excessive use of computers on the Internet might be a sign of depression. An article and the free abstract follows:
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/mindmood/article/760703—does-addiction-to-the-net-cause-depression
11. Following Someone Undergoing ECT in “Coming Out Crazy”
In her most recent entries (dating back to January 22), blogger Sandy Naiman has been following another person’s progress through a series of ECT treatments. Her nuanced commentary can be found at:
http://thestar.blogs.com/mentalhealth/
12. Harm Reduction Strategies for Homeless Youth and Substance Use Issues
You can find a link to a February 17th webinar and a report from the SHOUT clinic here:
13. CBC Documentaries Available for Online Viewing
“The Downside of High” is from a recent episode of CBC’s show “The Nature of Things” that discusses the link between adolescent use of marijuana and its link with a diagnosis of schizophrenia:
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2010/downsideofhigh/
The Mood Disorders of Ontario’s “Stand Up for Mental Health” program was profiled by Mark Kelley’s Connect show:
http://www.cbc.ca/connect/2010/01/stand-up-for-mental-health.html
14. CMHA Toronto Early Psychosis Treatment Program Profiled
The Mood and Psychosis Early Intervention Program is detailed from several perspectives, including a client, family member, and the program manager:
15. Book Launch – “Drug Policy and the Public Good” (Toronto)
Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Location: CAMH, 33 Russell Street (Room 2029) (note: videoconferencing available through the Ontario Telemedicine Network)
Registration: please e-mail Janine Luce ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) by Thursday, February 18th.
The full flyer is attached for your information.
Drug_Policy_and_the_Public_Good_-_Flyer.pdf
16. 1st Canadian Grief & Bereavement Conference (Toronto)
This first such conference is scheduled from Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 2 in Toronto (Marriot Toronto Airport Hotel). We have attached the promotional flyer. As well, there is a link for the conference website, where all information and a registration form can be found:
Cdn_Grief__Bereavement_Conf_promotional_poster.pdf
http://www.canadiangriefandbereavementconference.org
17. Mississauga/Halton CSI LHIN Lead Position Available
Please refer to the enclosed ad for more information.
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #245 - February 5, 2010
1. OPDI Submission to the Legislative Committee on MH & A
We have attached OPDI’s recent submission to the Legislative Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, which is due to issue an interim report later this spring.
OPDI_Select_Committee_Final_Submission.pdf
2. Mental Health Commission of Canada Roundtable Consultations (repeat)
Here is the opportunity to submit your application to join roundtables to discuss the national mental health framework:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/Strategy.aspx
3. Other News from MHCC
The January 2010 edition of the newsletter is available online:
4. New Champlain LHIN Healthcare Delivery Model: Family Health Hub
This new model of care with construction beginning in 2011, will offer complementary services that will reduce emergency room use, as well as provide mental health care and other services under one roof:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/01/28/ontario-hospital-goes-mini/
5. Ontario Pre-Budget Committee Hearings
The transcripts of the provincial Legislative Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs are available here:
We note committee member Kevin Flynn’s interest around availability of psychiatrists during the submission from the Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists. MPP Flynn is also the Chair of the Committee on Mental Health and Addictions:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/committee-proceedings/committee_transcripts_details.do?locale=en&Date=2010-01-26&ParlCommID=8858&BillID=&Business=Pre-budget+consultations&DocumentID=24628#P872_277880
6. Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Workshop
Get ready, get set, implement!
The Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs has designed an interactive workshop to assist its members implement the accessibility standards for customer service. It’s the law that all organizations must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and regulations within the timeframes specified.
What you will learn:
Navigating your way through the AODA and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulations can be a daunting and time-consuming task. This workshop walks participants through each requirement of the AODA and the standard and explains in clear language what you must do to be in full compliance.
What you will take away
OFCMHAP and its partners, the Accessibility Directorate, OPDI and OAPC have developed a tool kit and resource manual that accompanies the workshop. The tool kit contains action plans, sample policies, procedures, training resources, and feedback from those who use the services of mental health and addiction service providers.
Who should attend?
If you are responsible for developing, approving or implementing policies and procedures for your organization or if you are responsible for staff training, then this workshop is designed for you.
The workshops will be on the following dates in these areas. Further workshops in other areas will be announced.
Date: March 19th, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Toronto
Date: March 26th, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Welland
Date: April 16, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Belleville
Date: April 23rd
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ft. Frances
How to Register
Call 416-490-8900 X 21 or e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Give your name, telephone number, date and location of workshop
Please register early as space is limited.
7. Leaders Mobilizing Change (Culture and MH Workshop)
Leaders Mobilizing Change is a workshop that will inspire, educate and equip leaders with the tools for making mental health services more culturally responsive.
The recent 5-year research program CURA: Taking Cultural Seriously in Community Mental Health (http://www.takingcultureseriouslycura.ca) found that the needs of marginalized cultural linguistic communities were not being met by the community mental health system. As a result of this research, there are a now number of initiatives underway that aim to make mental health services more culturally responsive.
One of these initiatives is Leaders Mobilizing Change, a day-long workshop led by the Centre for Community Based Research. The workshop aims to bring together leaders in community mental health, settlement organizations and leaders in cultural linguistic communities. The purpose of the workshop is to support systems and organizational change by identifying local opportunities and strategies to move culture from the margins to the core of mental health services.
Who should attend: Senior and middle management, executive directors and decision makers in mental health and settlement organizations, and leaders in cultural linguistic communities.
$75.00 Organization/Agency
$15.00 Cultural Community Members (not affiliated with an organization or agency)
A series of day-long workshop is being held across the province. To find out more, visit:
http://www.communitybasedresearch.ca/Page/View/Theatre_Leadership_.html
To register, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B885HLJ
8. CAST Canada Addiction and Trauma Consumer Panels (Continuing Ed.)
CAST Consumer Panel
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Location: Barrie, Ontario (Holiday Inn, Fairview Road)
Cost: $140 + GST – lunch not provided
Topic: Focus on the point of change
International Women’s Day Panel
Date: Monday, March 8, 2010
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Location: Kitchener, Ontario (Mary’s Place, 84 Frederick Street)
Topic: Check website for details
http://www.cast-canada.ca (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tel: (905} 877-6547
9. “Thriving in 2010” – CMHA National Conference (London)—repeat
The conference website is here:
The deadline for presentation proposals (online only) is February 25, 2010:
http://www.thrivingin2010.ca/call-for-presenters.html
10. George Brown Construction Craft Worker Program Orientation
The deadline to apply to the program is February 12, 2010.
The orientation session takes place:
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Casa Loma Campus (160 Kendal Avenue), Building C, Room C401
Please email or call to confirm your attendance at
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (416) 415-5000 x 6790
11. Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario Launch
The February 1 launch is profiled here:
12. Community Care Information Management (CCIM) Newsletter
In the winter edition of their newsletter, articles profile the impact of using recommended healthcare reporting software and how consumers’ familiarity with computers using OCAN has led to their use of Facebook. The newsletter is enclosed.
ccimconnections_winter2010_v1_1_ccim.pdf
13. Fish Oil and Mental Health
There appears to be scientific grounds for taking fish oil capsules. Please refer to these two news reports and the free abstract from the originating journal article:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100202/omega_100202/20100202?hub=Health
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/67/2/146
14. Exercise and Mental Health
An intriguing study suggests that exercise leads to improved health outcomes for those who have a schizophrenia diagnosis (news article and free journal abstract follows):
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/Schizophrenia/18236
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/67/2/133
15. Yoga and Stress
There appears to be positive biochemical changes when people practice yoga (two media citations and free journal abstract are provided):
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/PSY.0b013e3181cb9377v1
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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.
OPDI NewsToGo Issue #244 - January 29, 2010
1. Mental Health Commission of Canada Roundtable Consultations
Here is the opportunity to submit your application to join roundtables to discuss the national mental health framework:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/Strategy.aspx
2. Other News from MHCC
The current President and CEO, Michael Howlett, is stepping down:
A part-time national consumer panel facilitator position is available:
Contract research paper opportunities RFPs have been posted:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/ResearchContractOpportunities.aspx
3. Province Expands Francophone Community Engagement within LHINs
The province has enacted a new regulation effective January 1, 2010 under the LHINs legislation that puts into place 5 new planning bodies that will increase responsiveness to planning and implementation of French-language healthcare services. The full press release is at:
4. OCAN Newsletter
In the latest edition of their newsletter, we find out more about the work of the Steering Committee and the ongoing progress of the pilot project in the North East LHIN. The newsletter is attached.
OCANUpdate_January2010_CMHCAP.pdf
5. OMHAKEN November/December 2009 Newsletter
In this issue of the Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Knowledge Exchange Network newsletter, the feature article is about an ongoing comparative study of supported employment programs across Canada. There is also a wrap-up of the recent Canadian Congress on Mental Health and Addiction in the Workplace. We have enclosed the PDF file for your attention.
OMHAKEN_Newsletter_November_December_2009.pdf
6. HRIS Quadrant Software Webinar Announcement (repeat)
The Community Care Information Management (CCIM) program’s HRIS project team has launched a new HRIS Quadrant Software Webinar for Community Mental Health and Addictions (CMH&A) and Community Support Services (CSS) organizations across the province.
The January 12th seminar was highly successful. Future presentations are scheduled for:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST
Registration Deadline: Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. EST
Thursday March 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. EST
Please refer to the attached announcement for full details.
HRIS_Quadrant_Software_Webinar_Annoucement.pdf
7. Ontario LHIN’s Emergency Room Closings Becomes a Hot Topic
The recent death of a young child linked to the integration of emergency room facilities in the Niagara Falls area has spurred media interest, and even the Ontario Ombudsman has become involved:
In a related story, the Canadian Association of ER physicians is calling for national standards in this field of care:
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100128/er_docs_100128/20100128?hub=Toronto
As an interesting aside, innovative research out of Halifax finds that using a psychologist to work with individuals complaining of chest pains was helpful in reducing repeat visits (and reducing ER services). The story notes that of every four patients presenting themselves in ER with chest pains, three had no physical reasons, and suggests an alternate diagnosis instead:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/01/27/psychotherapy-emergency-room-halifax.html
8. “Thriving in 2010” – CMHA National Conference (London)
The conference website is here:
The deadline for presentation proposals (online only) is February 25, 2010:
http://www.thrivingin2010.ca/call-for-presenters.html
9. Self-Help Resource Centre Upcoming Workshops (Toronto)
These and other workshops can be found by visiting the website:
Decision-making in Groups: Monday, February 1, 2010 from 1 – 4 pm (Cost: $50)
How to Start a Peer Support Group: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from 6 – 8 pm (Cost: $50)
Peer Support Group Facilitation Training: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (Cost: $100)
Dealing with Conflict in Groups: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 from 1 – 4 pm (Cost: $50)
To register, email Rick Henry at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone (416) 487-4355 x21. The workshops take place at the SHRC office: 40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 219.
10. WRAP Training Available at What Next! (February in Toronto)
New Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) group will be starting in February at What Next! Limited spaces still available! What Next! is a C/S staffed peer support drop-in centre in North York. We’ve recently moved to near Downsview station and new members are always welcome! More information is available on our website:
A flyer is enclosed for your information.
11. Aging, Physical Health, and Mental Health
Two complementary research stories – one study that will study a link between high blood pressure and dementia, and the other which has shown an increased risk of individuals with diabetes acquiring Alzheimer’s – make the case for taking care of yourself physically:
12. Judi Chamberlin Obituary
The mental health rights advocate and author of “On Our Own” recently passed away. The New York Times obituary is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/us/26chamberlin.html
13. Chronic Stress, “Adrenal Fatigue”, and Mental Health
This feature article features opposing views of how chronic stress is expressed physically and whether individuals have the means to determine how to control it:
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If you have any ideas, contributions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. E-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For those who would like to subscribe to this e-mail update, please e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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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