Inverness County Mental Illness Family Education & Support Group

Monday, June 27, 2016

 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Date

Monday, June 27th, 2016

Time
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Place

Inverness Education Centre Academy

59 Veteran Court, Room No. 118

Topic
Coping as a Family

Everyone Welcome!

Do you have a loved one or friend who lives with a mental health and/or addiction problem? 

If Yes, this meeting is for you.  

With sharing comes hope, strength, and wisdom.

For further information about the Inverness County Mental Illness Family Education And Support Group, please contact Jubanti Dhan Toppo, Project Coordinator, Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, by calling (902) 631-1336, or by sending an email: coordinator@ssns.ca.

Antigonish County Mental Illness Family Education & Support Group Meeting

Thursday, November 19th, 6:30 pm

Community Room

The People’s Place Library

283 Main Street

Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Topic
 Talking to a Loved One's Psychiatrist

Guest Speaker
Dr. Sanajana Sridharan, Psychiatrist

Family members and friends of people living with mental illnesses are all welcome to attend and participate. These mental illnesses can include, but are not limited to: psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression.

If you have a loved one living with a mental illness, this meeting is for you. With sharing comes hope, strength, and wisdom. Please come join us – together we can bring a significant change in the lives of the people we love.

For further information, please contact: Jubanti Dhan Toppo, Project Coordinator, Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, at 902-631-1336, or send an email to jubanti.dhan.toppo@bellaliant.com.

Artwork by Rodrick J Mackinnon

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

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.

Please click on the image to magnify it.

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

Also see:

National Family Caregiving Support Guidelines

Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program

From the Healthy Minds Cooperative's May 2012 newsletter:

It's Official

The Department of Health and Wellness has chosen Healthy Minds Cooperative to oversee the advancement of the Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program!

Healthy Minds Cooperative has demonstrated a long term commitment and belief in peer support since our inception in 2005. We believe peer support is an integral component of recovery for people living with mental illness. Our organization has been a pioneer in delivering formal peer support on inpatient units since 2006. This ground breaking work was happening at a time when peer support was virtually unknown. It is incredible to know that beginning in 2013 it will now be available in health districts across our province.

We extend a sincere welcome to Roy Muise, the Peer Mentor for the NSCPSS program as part of our Healthy Minds team. Well known and respected Roy brings his extensive work with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, work with PSACC, a vast knowledge of peer support and many years’ experience delivering peer support. Joining Roy in this exciting work will be Vince Daigle who has 7 years’ experience providing formal peer support on an inpatient unit, Michael Smith and Irene Skehen. Together the entire Healthy Minds team possess unique and valuable skills that amount to about 40 years’ experience working in the field of mental health. When you add the soon to be newly certified peer specialists, that will be delivering peer support to every health district in the province to this team there is no doubt that there will be hope and recovery for many. The Department of Health and Wellness is committed to improving the mental health and wellness of all Nova Scotians. They listened to the people of Nova Scotia and developed the first ever mental health strategy for our province. Thanks to their vision and support the reality of individuals having access to peer support will expand and become a reality across our province.

Also see:

Nova Scotia Certified Peer Support Specialist Program

Healthy Minds Cooperative

Peer Support Accreditation and Certification (Canada) [PSACC]

N.S. puts $1 million into mental health program

The Aspiring Workforce: Employment and Income for People with Serious Mental Illness

A report released today by the Mental Health Commission of Canada:

Please click on the image to magnify it.

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

Also see:

Issue: Aspiring Workforce

Family Support Group - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Wednesday, January 29th, 7:00 pm

The HRM Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

hosts the

Dartmouth Family Support Group

When a loved one is diagnosed with a mental illness, or you feel there are mental health issues not being addressed, it can be overwhelming. Many families find that talking with others who have had similar experiences to be very beneficial. This new support group provides an opportunity to learn about resources in the community, navigating the mental health system, strategies to promote recovery and enhance coping skills, and much more.

Meetings are held the last Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is ...

Date

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Time

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Place

Alderney Gate Public Library

Starr Room

60 Alderney Drive

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

For further information, please contact Donna Methot by phoning (902) 462-8658 or sending an email to hrmchapterssns@accesswave.ca.


Photograph by Robert Alfers

Perceived need for mental health care in Canada: Results from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health (September 2013)

By Adam Sunderland and Leanne C. Findlay

From this webpage:

Background

Past research and national survey data on Canadians’ perceived need for mental health care (MHC) have focused on unmet needs overall, and have not considered specific types of MHC needs or the extent to which needs are met.

Data and methods

Using data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health, this article describes the prevalence of perceived MHC needs for information, medication, counselling and other services. The degree to which each type of need was met is explored. Associations between risk factors for having MHC needs and the extent to which needs were met are investigated.

Results

In 2012, an estimated 17% of the population aged 15 or older reported having had an MHC need in the past 12 months. Two-thirds (67%) reported that their need was met; for another 21%, the need was partially met; and for 12%, the need was unmet. The most commonly reported need was for counselling, which was also the least likely to be met. Distress was identified as a predictor of perceived MHC need status.

Interpretation

Many Canadians are estimated to have MHC needs, particularly for counselling. People with elevated levels of distress are significantly more likely to have unmet and partially met MHC needs than to have fully met MHC needs, regardless of the presence of mental or substance disorders.

Keywords

Mental illness, mental disorder, distress

Findings

Many Canadians experience a need for mental health care (MHC), but not all of those needs are met. In fact, the presence of mental illness has repeatedly been associated with an MHC need, despite evidence-based practices suggesting that mental illness can be successfully treated. Rates of unmet needs were higher among people with the criteria for mental illness, especially those with depression. This is relevant considering that, in 2012, an estimated 10% of Canadians experienced a mental disorder (depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or alcohol, cannabis or substance abuse or dependence) in the past year. [Full Text]

Authors

Adam Sunderland and Leanne C. Findlay (1-613-951-4648; leanne.findlay@statcan.gc.ca) are with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.

What is already known on this subject?

Many Canadians experience a need for mental health care (MHC), but not all of those needs are met.

Past research and national survey data on Canadians’ perceived need for MHC have focused on unmet need overall, and have not considered specific types of MHC needs or the extent to which needs are met.

What does this study add?

Based on data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health, an estimated 17% of the population aged 15 or older reported having had an MHC need in the past 12 months.

Two-thirds (67%) of them reported that the needs were met; for another 21%, the needs were partially met; and for 12%, the needs were unmet.

The most commonly reported need was for counselling, which was also the least likely to be met.

Distress was associated with perceived MHC need status.

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

Also see:

Mental and substance use disorders in Canada (September 2013) (PDF)

Mental Health Profile, Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health (CCHS), by age group and sex, Canada and provinces (2013)

Response to the release of Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health 2012 by the Mental Health Commission of Canada

Our Voice - eNewsletter of the Capital Health Addictions and Mental Health Program - July 2013

Please click on the image to magnify it.

To download the entire eNewsletter, please click here.

Also see:

Capital Health Addictions and Mental Health Program

Community Mental Health Referral Form

OurHealthyMinds.com

Case for Funding Mental Health and Social Services in Canada

Please click on the image to magnify it.

Source:

http://strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca/about/case-for-investment

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

Inside mental illness: Schizophrenia

From the YouTube posting:

Laura has taken everything she learnt from her diagnosis with schizophrenia to help others accept their own mental illness. In 2009, she was awarded with the Inspiring Lives Award from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia for her advocacy and work with various mental health organizations. Laura is currently pursuing a Masters in Drama Therapy from Concordia University in Montreal.

IWK cuts waiting list by deleting names

An article published in today's edition of The Chronicle Herald:

1,100 child mental health patients affected

By Selena Ross

What does it take to get off a waiting list?

Of the 1,100 children removed since November from the IWK Health Centre’s waiting list for mental health services — an astonishing statistic the Halifax children’s hospital released widely on Monday — about half weren’t treated, and the hospital removed many of those without directly contacting them.

That’s because the IWK sent a letter to all families on the waiting list in September or October asking them to call back if they still wanted service.

Many didn’t call back. The list was instantly cut back by about half, the vice-president of patient care, Jocelyn Vine [pictured], said Thursday.

Since then, the hospital has screened hundreds of children for the first time, leaving 70 on the waiting list. But on Tuesday, Vine described that overall 94 per cent reduction as a "really very profound improvement in access to care" without explaining that hundreds of names had simply been deleted.

The hospital used the numbers this week to show its success under a reorganization that included the layoff of 22 youth-care workers.

Parents and mental health advocates challenged the math after reading about the hospital’s announcement this week.

"I had a feeling . . . I just wondered what had happened to that 1,030 people," said John Roswell of the Digby Clare Mental Health Volunteers Association.

"If they could see 1,100 people in three months, we could clean up the mental health waiting lists throughout the province in a big hurry."

Roswell said he called Vine on Wednesday to ask how the hospital came up with the numbers, and she explained the mass mail-out.

"I couldn’t believe what she said," he said. "I just thought it was a terrible misrepresentation of the facts.

"I understand their point about improving patient care and decreasing wait times. I mean, that’s all very applaudable, but I think we need to be upfront about it."

The mother of a 10-year-old Dartmouth boy who waited 14 months for a first appointment said she responded to several surveys the hospital mailed out during that time to reaffirm that the family still wanted care.

Last fall, the letter contained a deadline, said Carol Mack, whose son suffers from anxiety-related problems.

"It was something about how they were reorganizing their wait times . . . then you had to call this phone number, which is the Dartmouth clinic, I believe. (It said) if you are still requiring services, you have to call it by this certain date. Otherwise you’ll be removed from the wait list."

As Mack remembers it, she had about a month to call.

"But if they didn’t have the current phone number or address for someone, you were out of luck. Or, say, someone just missed it, you’d be totally kicked off the list."

Vine said Thursday that the hospital made extra efforts to get in touch with families who didn’t respond. Some also phoned to say they no longer needed care, she said.

Those who didn’t speak to the hospital were taken off the list, but they’re free to call and re-add their names any time they want, she said.

"Some chose to call in. Some didn’t," she said. "It’s totally up to them."

The numbers on the waiting list are not misleading, Vine said. Services were offered to all 1,100 families.

"We can only go by the data that we have. It’s a completely accurate number, based on the information that we had. We went back and re-engaged with people. . . . Based on their answer, we’re moving forward accordingly."

The hospital’s overall progress in the mental health unit is not in doubt, Vine said. Since November, the unit has sped up the rate at which it handles new patients and is seeing more children per week than previously.

She said she had no statistics showing that change.

Image credit

Also see:

Wait times too long for some (March 18th)

Mental health care more than hocus-pocus (March 17th)

IWK changes emphasize early intervention (March 15th)

Decision to dispense with 22 youth workers is disgraceful (March 15th)

22 layoffs in IWK mental health program (March 12th)

Mental health treatment for NS teenagers is in crisis! (June 10th, 2010)

Stereotypes of mental disorders differ in competence and warmth

A February 21st posting by Neuroskeptic:

Please click on the image to magnify it.

Fighting "the stigma of mental illness" is big business at the moment. But does "the stigma" really exist?

As I said back in 2010:

There is a stigma of schizophrenia, and there's a stigma of depression, etc. but they're not the same stigma. We're told it's a myth that "the mentally ill are violent" - [but] no-one thinks depressed or anorexic people are violent. They think (roughly) that people with psychosis are. They have other equally silly opinions about each diagnosis, but there's no monolithic "stigma of mental illness".

Now a paper has come out which explores this idea in some detail: Stereotypes of mental disorders differ in competence and warmth. The title says it all : people have stereotypical views of people suffering from different mental disorders, but these stereotypes vary substantially.

To read the entire post, please click here.

Image credit

Also see:

Stereotypes of mental disorders differ in competence and warmth

Landlords pitch in to help people with mental illness find housing

From the February 22nd edition of Information Morning:

The CBC's Rob North tells us about a new initiative that might make things better. [Note, the segment begins after a short advertisement for a podcast.]

Also see:

250 Homes

Community Living Initiative: The Bungalows

The Canadian Medical Association Awards Medal of Honour to Dr. Austin Mardon

An August 16th media release from the Canadian Medical Association:

OTTAWA, Aug. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) will present the 2011 CMA Medal of Honour to Dr. Austin Mardon, PhD, who has demonstrated outstanding public commitment to raising awareness of mental health issues and diminishing the stigma and discrimination faced by Canadians living with mental illness.

"The CMA Medal of Honour recognizes personal contributions to the advance of medical research and education," said CMA President Dr. Jeff Turnbull. "Dr. Mardon has worked tirelessly to help Canadians better understand the issues around mental illness. In courageously talking openly about his own experiences, he is truly making a difference in coaxing mental illness out of the shadows in this country."

Diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of thirty, Dr. Mardon uses his own experience and his road to recovery in advocating in the areas of stigma, service delivery, awareness and education. He tries to improve the lives of those with schizophrenia through public education. His efforts have led him meet with politicians, clergy, academics and others in positions to effect change. He has influenced public policy in Alberta through his service as vice-chair of the Alberta Disabilities Forum steering committee and as chair of its low-income working group; as a member of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities; as an addiction and mental health committee member of Alberta Health's service integration working group; and as chair of the Edmonton Champions' Centre advisory committee. He also was instrumental in winning changes to Alberta's income assistance program for the severely handicapped.

"I have put my experiences out there for all to see, but it hasn't been easy and for some people it's impossible," said Dr. Mardon. "My goal continues to be to see the unfair and debilitating stigma our society holds against the mentally ill wiped out for all time."

Austin Mardon, PhD, has been a public educator and tireless advocate for the mentally ill, particularly those with schizophrenia, since he was diagnosed with that illness in 1992. At the time he was a promising graduate student and Antarctic explorer, and the diagnosis of schizophrenia could have ended his academic career and severely limited his prospects in life. Instead, he survived many setbacks through his sheer determination to continue his studies, to make a difference, to contribute to society, and to help others.

Dr. Mardon graduated with a major in geography from the University of Lethbridge in 1985. The following year, at age 24, he was investigating meteorite impacts 170 km from the South Pole as a junior field member on an Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition sponsored by NASA and the National Science Federation. He received the U.S. Antarctic Service Medal for his work. However, the extreme hardships of the expedition affected him mentally and physically. While he went on to earn masters degrees in science (South Dakota State University) and education (Texas A&M University) and published a number of articles and books, his health issues persisted. At the age of 30 he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Although some of his abilities are compromised by the disease, he earned a PhD in geography from Greenwich University, Australia; continued his remarkable publication record, including articles in both Science and Nature; was elected an International Fellow and Corresponding Fellow of the Explorers Club of New York; and was inducted into the International Academy of Astronautics.

Equally impressive has been his work on behalf of the mentally ill. In addition to giving countless interviews to the media on the topic of mental illness, he has published articles about faith and schizophrenia, homelessness, medication, and income support. He has provided leadership as a member of the board of directors of both the Edmonton and Alberta chapters of the Schizophrenia Society, and for a number of years he was coordinator of the Alberta Mental Health Self-Help Network.

"I hope to soon see the day when schizophrenia is treated like any other disease and is finally detached from the stigma that makes a difficult burden to bear even worse," added Dr. Mardon.

Dr. Mardon has received a number of awards, including the Order of Canada (2007). Others include: the Flag of Hope Award (2001) and the Bill Jefferies Family Award (2007) of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada; the Distinguished Alumni Award of the University of Lethbridge (2002); the Presidents Award of the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association (2002); the C.M. Hincks Award from the national division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (2007); and the Medal of Honour of the Alberta Medical Association (2010).

A popular member of the Speakers' Bureau of Alberta, Dr. Mardon has publicly assisted the medical profession by supporting development of policy positions that have helped medical providers treat those with mental illness.

Dr. Mardon is the 28th recipient of the CMA Medal of Honour, the highest award bestowed upon someone who is not a member of the medical profession. He will receive the award at a ceremony at the D.F. Cook Recital Hall, Memorial University, in St. John's, N.L., on Aug. 24 as part of the CMA's 144th annual meeting.

For further information:

Lucie Boileau, Manager, Media Relations
Tel: 613-731-8610 or 1-800-663-7336 ext. 1266
Mobile: 613-447-0866
lucie.boileau@cma.ca

Photo credit

Also see:

Austin Mardon to receive honorary Doctor of Laws degree from University of Alberta

Austin Mardon on Schizophrenia

Points to Remember

From the June 17th edition of Psychiatric News:

Mental Illness Is a Brain Disorder

• “Multimodal” techniques using EEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging are providing a comprehensive picture of the structural, functional, and temporal connectivity in the brain.

• Medications, cognitive-behavior therapy and other interventions appear to affect different parts of brain circuitry involved in mental disorders. 

Mental Disorders Are Developmental Disorders

• Onset of mental illness is almost entirely before the age of 25.

• Emerging evidence shows that ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by delay of cortical maturation.

Mental Disorders Result From Complex Genetic Risk Plus Experiential Factors

• Genetics of mental illness are characterized by very rare but potent variations.

• These rare variations result in changes in brain circuitry that, in complex interaction with environmental influences, result in many pathways to phenotypes of mental illness.

Related articles

Brain, Gene Discoveries Drive New Concept of Mental Illness
Psychiatr News June 17, 2011 46:1-33
Full Text

Image credit

Grand challenges in global mental health

An article published in the July 7th edition of the journal, Nature:

Schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy, dementia, alcohol dependence and other mental, neurological and substance-use (MNS) disorders constitute 13% of the global burden of disease (Table 1), surpassing both cardiovascular disease and cancer (ref. 1). Depression is the third leading contributor to the global disease burden, and alcohol and illicit drug use account for more than 5% (ref. 2). Every seven seconds, someone develops dementia (ref. 3), costing the world up to US$609 billion in 2009 (ref. 4). By 2020, an estimated 1.5 million people will die each year by suicide, and between 15 and 30 million will make the attempt (ref. 5).

The absence of cures, and the dearth of preventive interventions for MNS disorders, in part reflects a limited understanding of the brain and its molecular and cellular mechanisms. Where there are effective treatments, they are frequently not available to those in greatest need. In 83% of low-income countries, there are no anti-Parkinsonian treatments in primary care; in 25% there are no anti-epileptic drugs (ref. 6). Unequal distribution of human resources — between and within countries — further weakens access: the World Health Organization’s European region has 200 times as many psychiatrists as in Africa (ref. 7). Across all countries, investment in fundamental research into preventing and treating MNS disorders is disproportionately low relative to the disease burden (ref. 8).

To address this state of affairs, the Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health initiative has identified priorities for research in the next 10 years that will make an impact on the lives of people living with MNS disorders. The study was funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland, supported by the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), headquartered in London. Answers to the questions posed will require a surge in discovery and delivery science. We use the term ‘mental health’ as a convenient label for MNS disorders. We exclude conditions with a vascular or infectious aetiology (such as stroke or cerebral malaria), because these fell within the scope of the two previous grand challenges initiatives — in global health and in chronic non-communicable diseases (ref 9).

This initiative differs from previous priority-setting exercises for mental health (refs. 10–12) in four ways. First, its scope is global. Second, it is the first to employ the Delphi method (ref. 13), a structured technique using controlled feedback to arrive at consensus within a dispersed panel of many participants. Third, it covers the full range of MNS disorders. Finally, the effort hopes to build a wide-ranging community of research funders — much as the challenge for non-communicable diseases led to the creation of the GACD.

Bold emphasis above is mine.

References

1. World Health Organization The Global Burden of Disease: 2004 Update (WHO, 2008).
2. WHO Atlas on Substance Use (WHO, 2010).
3. Ferri, C. P. et al. Lancet 366, 2112–2117 (2005).
4. Wimo, A., Winblad, B. & Jönsson, L. Alzheimer’s & Dementia 6, 98–103 (2010).
5. Bertolote, J. & Flieschmann, A. Suicidologi 7, 6–8 (2002).
6. WHO Country Resources for Neurological Disorders 2004 (WHO, 2004).
7. WHO Mental Health Atlas (WHO, 2005).
8. Saxena, S., Thornicroft, G., Knapp, M. & Whiteford, H. Lancet 370, 878–889 (2007).
9. Daar, A. S. et al. Nature 450, 494–496 (2007).
10. Lancet Mental Health Group Lancet 370, 1241–1252 (2007).
11. Sharan, P. et al. Br. J. Psychiatry 195, 354–363 (2009).
12. Tomlinson, M. et al. Bull. WHO 87, 438–446 (2009).
13. Jones, J. & Hunter, D. Br. Med. J. 311, 376–380 (1995).

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

Also see:

Thinking Globally to Improve Mental Health

Mental Health: Think Globally, Act Locally

Image credit

Sharing info helps patients: N.S. doctor

An article posted on July 4th by CBC News:

New guidelines about sharing patient information will make it easier for some families that support adults with mental illness, a senior health official in Halifax says.

Capital Health is adopting a sliding scale of information sharing, where patients can decide how much to share and with whom. It's a move away from the all-or-nothing approach.

"This is different from before. Now we're looking to share some information with some people and be specific about it," said Dr. Ian Slayter [pictured], clinical director for general psychiatric services.

Slayter said patients may refuse to divulge any health information, but health-care providers will encourage them to share some details with those who support them.

He said studies have shown that communicating with family members results in a better outcome for the patient.

"We're saying that providers need to sit down with the patient and say, 'You're receiving some support from this person and they could be more effective if they understood a little something about your illness, what it's all about, what your treatment is and how they can help.'"

For example, Slayter said, if a relative or friend knows that a patient is having suicidal thoughts, then maybe they can provide more support to help them.

He said it's also useful for families to know about a certain medication so they can help the patient get it or administer it.

Joanne Zinck's youngest daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 20. She says one of her biggest hurdles with mental-health care providers has been around privacy.

"We were depended on to help her to get well, but yet we weren't able to get the information that we needed to be able to support her," said Zinck.

Slayter said the guidelines were drafted by a group of patients, their families and the specialists who treat them. He said they also consulted with the Meriden program, a family-oriented mental-health service in England.

The district health authority approved the guidelines last week. Some staff are working with the new rules already, but more will be trained this fall.

Also see:

CDHA Mental Health Program - Information Sharing Guidelines (PDF)

Collaboration in the Triangle of Care (PDF)

Help reverse the neglect & exclusion of mental disorders to save lives

Join the fight for the inclusion of mental health in the United Nations High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases

Please visit www.wfmh.com

Nearly half a billion people are affected by mental disorders which account for nearly 15% of the disease burden in the world - more than heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes – more than TB, HIV and malaria combined! Yet, the historical neglect and exclusion of mental health from local, regional, national and global agendas continues and the exclusion of the neuropsychiatric disorders from the United Nations High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases represents a major social and economic injustice to the hundreds of millions of citizens suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders who are robbed of the opportunity to reach their life’s potential and are condemned to lives of vulnerability.

In the continuing story of humanity to create a just and equitable world, we have failed too many people everywhere, and poverty, expressed through persistent inequities and social injustices, remains our major failure as humanity. In this poverty story, neuropsychiatric disorders, with its story of economic hardships to those living with mental and neurological illnesses and their caregivers and families, play a critical role in the evolution and persistence of poverty. We must discontinue our penchant for a good talk, but no action.

- Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Honorable Minister of Health, Guyana

Photo credit

Mental illness leading cause of disability in youth

An article posted on June 6th by CNN.com:

Mental health problems such as depression account for nearly half of all disability among young people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to a new study from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Researchers looked at data from 191 countries and estimated the number of years of good health lost to disability resulting from disease and injury (known as disability-adjusted life years). Among adolescents and young adults, 45 percent of disability was related to depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders, including alcohol abuse.

Health.com: 10 subtle signs of bipolar disorder

Dr. John S. Santelli, M.D., a professor of population and family health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, in New York City, says that, fortunately, mental health issues at the root of a young person’s disability generally respond to prevention, early detection, and treatment.

"There’s much better behavioral treatments, there’s much better pharmacological treatments as well," says Santelli, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study, which was published in the journal The Lancet. "We know what to do. We just need to do it."

Health.com: 9 ways you can help someone who's depressed

The study was the first ever to look at the international burden of disability in young people. Worldwide, the researchers estimated, disability claimed about 236 million healthy years from this group, which includes both estimated and actual years of life lost to illness and premature death.

After mental disorders, accidental injuries were the second largest cause of disability, accounting for 12 percent, followed by communicable diseases (including HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis) at 10 percent.

The top risk factors for disability were drug and alcohol use, unsafe sex, failure to use birth control, and iron deficiency, a common sign of malnutrition.

Health.com: Myths about safe sex and sexual health

"Youth is considered to be a time of good health," says one of the study's authors, Fiona M. Gore, a WHO researcher in Geneva, Switzerland. However, she says, "important health factors and risk factors for disease in later life emerge in these years "

The study revealed some regional and socioeconomic differences. Compared to the world as a whole, for instance, mental disorders account for a greater proportion of disability in the U.S., in Europe, and in nations with high per-capita income. On the other hand, disability due to injuries and communicable diseases was lower in those countries than worldwide.

"There is a need to focus on prevention strategies and on health promotion of noncommunicable and nonfatal causes of disease in young people," Gore says.

Also see:

Global burden of disease in young people aged 10—24 years: a systematic analysis

Mental Disorders Leading Cause of Disability in World's Youth