Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program - Brochure

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To download a PDF version of the above brochure, please click here.

Also see:

Healthy Minds Cooperative

Healthy Minds Cooperative - Brochure (PDF)

Early Psychosis Family Education - Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program

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Early Psychosis Family Information Sessions

Early Psychosis Family Support Group - Brochure (PDF)

Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program - Information for Family Members (PDF)

How to refer someone to the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program

Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program

Families Overcoming Risks and Building Opportunities for Well-Being (FORBOW)

Call for Participants

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Download the FORBOW Leaflet for Families (PDF) by clicking here.


Also see:

FORBOW Website

On Aprl 16th, 2014, Dr. Rudolf Uher interviewed on CBC Radio 1, as part of the Mainstreet Nova Scotia with Stephanie Domet - to listen to the interview, please click here.

Supporting Families in Recovery - Mental Health and Addictions Program - Nova Scotia Health Authority, Central Zone

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Also see:

Mental Health and Addictions Program - Nova Scotia Health Authority, Central Zone

Families Matter in Mental Health

Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Healthy Minds Cooperative

Families Matter in Mental Health Education and Support Program -- Amherst, Nova Scotia

Ongoing

Amherst, Nova Scotia

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For a map of the location of 6 Maltby Court in Amherst, please click here.

For further information on the Families Matter in Mental Health Education and Support Program, please click here.

Families Matter in Mental Health Education and Support Program -- Berwick, Nova Scotia

Ongoing

Berwick, Nova Scotia

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For a map of the location of 185 Commercial Street in Berwick, please click here.

For further information on the Families Matter in Mental Health Education and Support Program, please click here.

Families Matter in Mental Health & Addiction - Education and Support Program -- Sydney, Nova Scotia

Ongoing

Sydney, Nova Scotia

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For a map of the location of 850 Grand Lake Road in Sydney, please click here.

For further information on the Families Matter in Mental Health Education and Support Program, please click here.

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia - 2015 Road to Recovery Walk

Held on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated!

NO MORE

Mental Illness = Shame, Misconceptions, Stereotyping, Prejudicial Attitudes, and Discrimination

TAKE ACTION!

There is still time to make a donation, to do so, please click here.

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia’s 7th Annual Road to Recovery Walk is about coming together as a community to raise awareness and reduce the misconceptions, stereotyping, prejudicial attitudes, discrimination, and shame so often associated, unfortunately, with mental illnesses. On Saturday, May 2nd, 2015, Road to Recovery walks are being held in four different communities throughout Nova Scotia. These communities are: Bridgewater, Halifax, Pictou County, and Wolfville.

One out of every twenty-five Canadians is directly affected by schizophrenia or some other psychotic disorder during their lifetime. Today, with early detection and the new medical, psychological, and psychosocial treatments and supports, recovery is not only possible, it is expected in most cases. There is a reason to hope!

This annual fundraiser also allows the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia to continue its important and extensive work to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis – including families and friends – through education, support programs, influencing public policy, and encouraging research. For further information on the work of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, please visit our Website, Facebook Page, and Twitter Feed. To join our mailing list, please click here.

DONATE NOW!

Please give what you can; we greatly appreciate your support.

For Road to Recovery Walk information in your area; including the location, start time and a route map, please click on one of the following links: Bridgewater, Halifax, Pictou County, and Wolfville.

To download the 7th Annual Road to Recovery Walk poster (PDF), please click here.

Sponsors

Supporters

Also see:

Gateway to Curing Mental Illness

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - March/April 2015

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - January 2015

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's 26th Annual Conference - The Brain: Mental Health & Psychiatric Disorders

Held on November 7th, 2014

Keynote Speaker

"Brain Stimulation in Resistant Depression"

Dr. Z. Jeff Daskalakis

Professor of Psychiatry

Department of Psychiatry

University of Toronto

and

Director
Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Toronto, Ontario

To download Dr. Daskalakis' biosketch (PDF), please click here.

Invited Speakers

"Early Intervention for Psychotic Disorders - Recent Findings"

Dr. Sabina Abidi

Interim Associate Chief

Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Dalhousie University

and
Head
Youth Psychosis Program

IWK Health Centre

"What We've Learned about the Brain by Studying the Sense of Smell in Psychotic Disorders"

Dr. Kim Good

Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology

Dalhousie University
and
Co-Director
Nova Scotia Psychosis Research Unit

To download Dr. Good's biosketch (PDF), please click here.

"Mindfulness and Contemplation in Support of Recovery"

Dr. David Whitehorn

Department of Psychiatry

Dalhousie University
and
A Founding Director
Atlantic Contemplative Centre

"Early Experience, Stress and Long-Term Neurobehavioural Development: Unraveling the Thread of Nature via Nurture"

Dr. Ian Weaver

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience

Dalhousie University

Morning Emcee

Ms. Starr Dobson

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

Conference Sponsors

_____________________________________________

The conference logo is an original graphic design donated by Terri Vernon, faculty member, Nova Scotia Community College, Annapolis Valley Campus, Middleton.

"The theme of this year's conference logo is clouds. When desiging the logo, I was reflecting on the way that different people see different images in clouds and how this is a matter of individual perspective. I made the brain appear "cloud-like" to convey the idea that there are many perspectives on brain science and mental health, and that these are constantly changing." ~ Terri Vernon

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - November 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - October 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - September 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

LakeCity Employment Services Association -- Invitation to Comment

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The above letter can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here. A PDF version of the above letter can be downloaded by clicking here.

Also see:

LakeCity Employment Services Association

Families Matter in Mental Health: An Education and Support Program -- Nova Scotia

Research has shown that family members experience less stress and feel more encouraged about caring for their relative and themselves when they understand about mental illness and how to cope with difficult situations.

The aim of this program is to provide family members of people living with mental illness the information, knowledge, common skills and confidence to deal more effectively with their role and to improve the quality of life for both the family member and person with the mental illness.

Families Matter in Mental Health is adapted from a program developed by The Meriden Family Programme. Based out of the UK, The Meriden Family Programme is a training and organizational development program which has been promoting the development of family-sensitive, evidence-based mental health services since 1998, with a particular emphasis on the implementation of family work. It is a National Health Services (NHS) program with extensive experience of working with organizations to ensure families remain at the heart of quality mental health service delivery.

To download the Families Matter in Mental Health provincial brochure (PDF), please click here.

To register to participate in an 11-week session of Families Matter in Mental Health in Nova Scotia, or to learn more about this family education and support program, please connect with your local Mental Health and Addictions Services, contact information for which is available by clicking here (for people living within the boundaries of the Capital Health district [including the IWK Health Centre], please contact the Healthy Minds Cooperative by calling (902) 404-3504, or by sending an email to hmnavigator@eastlink.ca).

Also see:

Supporting Families in Recovery - Capital Health Addictions and Mental Health Program

Road to Recovery: Employment and Mental Illness

To download the entire report, please click here.

Also see:

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - June 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

2014 Road to Recovery Walk

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia’s

Held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

Road to Recovery walks were held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014, in Baddeck, Bridgewater, Halifax, Inverness, Pictou County, Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, Windsor, and Wolfville.

NO MORE

Mental Illness = Shame, Misconceptions, Stereotyping, Prejudicial Attitudes, and Discrimination

People took ACTION!

Donations are accepted up until May 30th, 2014.  To donate,  please visit:

www.RoadtoRecoveryWalk.com

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To download a PDF version of the 2014 Road to Recovery Walk poster, please click here.

Also see:

Gateway to Curing Mental Illness

Sponsors

Supporters

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - May 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

MHCC Webinar on Formalized Peer Support: The Road to Recovery

Also see:

Peer Support Accreditation and Certification (Canada)

Mental Health Commission of Canada

Nova Scotia Certified Peer Specialist Program

Webcast Recording - The Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program by Roy Muise

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - April 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

Webcast Recording - The Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program by Roy Muise

Recording of the Webcast

The Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program

by

Mr. Roy Muise

Project Coordinator & Peer Mentor

Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program

Healthy Minds Cooperative

Presentation made during the March 11th, 2014, meeting of the HRM Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

To view the webcast recording, please click here.

Mr. Muise discussed the new and only province-wide Certified Peer Support Specialist Program in Canada. He defined what is meant by peer support and explained the program’s mandate. He also provided an overview of the current status of the program, and the plans for the future.

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - March 2014

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

Examining Schizophrenia (Video)

A video from PsyWeb.com:




Also see:

Elyn R. Saks

Webcast Recording - Review of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act by Stephen Ayer

Recording of the Webcast

Review of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act

by

Dr. Stephen Ayer

Executive Director

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Presentation made during the February 10th, 2014, meeting of the HRM Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

To view the webcast recording, please click here.

Royal Assent was given to Nova Scotia’s Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act on December 8, 2005. The Act came into effect on July 3, 2007. An independent review of the Act, conducted by the Honourable Justice Gérard La Forest and Professor William Lahey, was made public on December 12, 2013.

An overview of the Act and its application was provided, as was a review of some of the many important findings of the independent review. The availability of and access to a broad range of treatment and support options for people diagnosed with mental illnesses was also discussed.

National Guidelines for a Comprehensive Service System to Support Family Caregivers of Adults with Mental Health Problems and Illnesses

A report released on June 27, 2013, by the Mental Health Commission of Canada:

From this webpage:

A loved one’s mental health problem or illness often impacts family, friends and supporters. Caring for a person living with a mental illness often creates emotional, physical, financial and social burdens for caregivers. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has created guidelines for policy makers and service providers that seek to recognize and support family caregivers’ needs, including recommendations on services and supports caregivers find useful.

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To download the entire document (PDF), please click here.

Also see:

National Family Caregiving Support Guidelines

TED Blog -- 2013: The Year in Ideas

From a December 19th TED Blog posting:

It’s time to get personal about mental illness.

1 in 4 people in the world lives with some form of mental illness, and yet, the stigma remains. In 2013, several speakers stepped to the TED stage to share their personal stories of mental illness. Eleanor Longden explained what it’s like to have voices in her head. (Read her TED Book, Learning from the Voices in my Head.) Kevin Breel took us inside his world, giving “confessions of a depressed comic.” Just this week, Andrew Solomon spoke poetically about his experience with depression, and how he sees it a secret many people share. Punctuating it all — a talk from Thomas Insel [below], the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, on how moving from the term “mental disorders” to “brain disorders” could open up research possibilities.

This holiday season, please give your support to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

To make an online tax-deductible donation to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, with an immediate tax receipt sent to you by email, please click here.

For information about the programs and services of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, please click here.

Report of the Independent Panel to Review the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act and Community Treatment Orders - Nova Scotia

A report released by the Government of Nova Scotia on December 12th.  For the media advisory related to the release of this report, please click here.

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Also see:

Nova Scotia mental health concerns flagged

CAMIMH Calls for Canadians to Contribute to a Responsible Discussion on Suicide

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Also visit:

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH)

Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support - Mental Health Commission of Canada

A report released on December 2nd by the Mental Health Commission of Canada:

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Also see:

Issue: Peer Support

Healthy Minds Cooperative Newsletter - December 2013

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Healthy Minds Cooperative

Examining the Nova Scotia mental health system

Dr. Michael Teehan, President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, is interviewed by Global Television just prior to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's 25th annual conference held on November 15th, 2013. The theme of the conference was "Mental Health Services in Nova Scotia: What We Have and What We Need".





Also visit:

The Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's 25th Annual Conference: What We Have and What We Need

Please consider joining the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

As a provincial not-for-profit community organization, the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (SSNS) relies heavily on its members to continue working – through education, support programs, influencing public policy, and encouraging research – to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis. When approaching the Nova Scotia Government and other decision makers, we are empowered by our grassroots membership.

The SSNS provides a much needed community-based network of knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers to support Nova Scotians directly affected by schizophrenia and psychosis, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues, and communities. Our core belief is that people with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and psychosis can live a life of meaning and purpose. The focus of the SSNS is to promote the goal that each individual will be able to return to a quality of life meeting each person's own perception of needs and expectations.

The vision of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is:

• to reach all Nova Scotians who are directly or indirectly affected by schizophrenia and psychosis;

• to focus on the individual, not the illness;

• to promote wellness and recovery; and

• to reduce the stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and misconceptions so often associated, unfortunately, with mental illnesses.

To read about some of the specific work the SSNS does, please click here. Additionally, the SSNS will begin work focused on providing education & support services to residents of Cape Breton Island starting in September 2013, with a dedicated full-time staff member working out of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

Annual individual membership is provided upon receipt of a tax-deductible donation of a minimum of $15.00 to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia. You can renew you membership by filling out the Membership Form (PDF) available by clicking here and mailing it, along with a minimum donation of $15.00 to:

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia
Room B-23, Purdy Building
P.O. Box 1004
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 3Z9

If you prefer to obtain your SSNS membership by making a secure tax-deductible online credit card, Interac, or PayPal donation, please click here. You will receive an immediate tax receipt by email. Please type the words SSNS Membership in the “Message/instructions for Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia” box that appears when making your online donation. If you would also like to opt-in to membership with the Schizophrenia Society of Canada (SSC), at no additional cost, please type the words SSNS Membership and SSC Membership in this box. You can also note your chapter or support group affiliation in this box.

A final option is to obtain your SSNS membership by calling the provincial office at (902) 465-2601 or 1-800-45-2601 (toll-free in Nova Scotia) and using a Visa or MasterCard over the telephone. 

Thank you!