The Four C’s
 You didn’t CAUSE the mental illness.
 You can’t CURE the mental illness.
 You can’t CONTROL the mental illness.
 You can COPE with the mental illness.
Expectations
 Develop realistic expectations for your family
member and yourself.
 Work towards accepting the illness and its
challenging consequences.
Let go of the guilt
 Remember that no family is perfect.
 Whatever you did, or did not do; you did not cause
your family member’s illness.
Coping Tips.
Self-care is one of the most important
things that a family can do to keep
themselves well. It is something
that they struggle with all the time.
Families need to remember that
they deserve and can live happy
and productive lives.
Get the facts
 Continue to educate yourself about mental health.
Don’t forget about your own health
 Self-care is an absolute must. It starts with you.
 You deserve time for yourself. Eat right & exercise.
Build a support network
 Join a support group. You’ll discover that you
are not alone, and you will draw strength in
difficult times.
 Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to one of our
Family Outreach Workers.
Fresh thinking
Find useful links, phone numbers, articles and
recommended reading at www.fameforfamilies.com
 Try thinking in terms of “brain” illness, instead of
mental illness. This can be helpful in dealing with
both external and internal stigma.
How You Can Help.
Donate
With four-in-five Canadians affected by a loved
one’s mental illness, the need for FAME’s programs
has never been greater. Help us improve the
lives of families by making an online donation or
becoming a corporate partner. To learn more please
visit us online www.fameforfamilies.com/donate
or contact FAME Executive Director,
Christine Cooper at 416-207-5032
FAMILY ASSOCIATION FOR
MENTAL HEALTH EVERYWHERE
improving the lives of families for over 25 years
Together we can foster hope, support and
resilience in families.
Contact Us
[email protected]
www.fameforfamilies.com
MAIN OFFICE
268 Royal York Road, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M8V 2V9
Phone: 416.207.5032
TORONTO OFFICE
333 Sherbourne Street, Room 2100
Toronto, ON M5A 2S5
Phone: 416.324.5060
SCARBOROUGH OFFICE
1911 Kennedy Road, Unit 105
Scarborough, ON M1P 2L9
Phone: 416.913.2144
MISSISSAUGA OFFICE
50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 300
Mississauga ON L5B 3C2
Phone: 905.276.8316
BRAMPTON OFFICE
7700 Hurontario Street, Suite 601
Brampton ON L6Y 4M3
Phone: 905.488.7716
Hope. Support. Resilience.
FAME is a Registered Charity #132582198RR0001
www.fameforfamilies.com
You’re Not Alone.
Family Support Group.
FAME offers families ongoing monthly support groups
across the Greater Toronto Area. The groups are in a
drop-in format and are facilitated by FAME staff.
One-on-One Support.
FAME offers confidential one-on-one supportive
counseling for individuals and families. Counseling
includes education, self-care, solution-focused
assistance and referrals to other community resources.
Telephone Support.
We’re Here To Help.
It’s About The Families.
Families who have a loved one with mental illness
experience significant stress, which can impact their
own health, relationships, careers and financial
situations. The Family Association for Mental Health
Everywhere (FAME) helps families and caregivers care
for themselves and their loved ones, even in the face
of mental health challenges.
What We Do.
FAME facilitates the development of resilience in
families living with mental illness by providing
support, education, coping skills and self-care
strategies.
Some days it’s more difficult to cope and individuals
need someone on the other end of the phone to provide
support. Pick up the phone. FAME is just a call away.
Get The Facts.
Educational Speaker Series.
FAME organizes monthly speaker events featuring
knowledgeable professionals and community members
who present on a variety of practical and relevant topics.
Families can stay well-informed and updated about
changes in the health care system and supports that
are available. Contact us for more information.
Let’s Talk About It.
Advocacy.
FAME is proud to provide our services and educational
events at no cost. All services are confidential.
FAME strives to speak out locally and nationally to
champion the family perspective and provide an often
unheard voice. We acknowledge that overcoming the
stigma of mental illness remains one of the biggest
challenges for families and their loved ones.
A Roadmap For The Journey.
Join the Conversation.
Free Services.
Family Resource Tool Kit.
Navigating through the mental health care system
can feel like a maze. Knowing what resources are
available and having them at your fingertips is
important. A Family Outreach Worker can help you
develop a personal tool kit to help make the journey
a little easier.
FAME believes that social media is an outlet to speak
openly about mental health and to build community.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and our blog.
Newsletter.
FAME publishes a quarterly newsletter, providing news
updates around mental health issues and special events.
FAMEKids.
FAMEKids is a specialized program for children
7-12 years of age who have a family member with
a mental health concern. At FAME, children learn
about mental health in an age-appropriate manner
and become equipped with coping skills through
artwork, discussion and games in a safe, kidfriendly environment. Healthy snacks provided.
FAMEKids Educational Group.
FAMEKids is an eight-week after school program that
helps kids explore healthy coping strategies, develop a
support network and more. At FAME, kids understand
that they have the power to take care of themselves,
and to not feel ashamed of their parents’ struggles
with mental illness. Pre-registration required.
FAMEKids One-on-One Support.
One-on-one support can provide kids with individual
tools and coping skills that work just for them.
FAMEKids Follow-up Plan.
A post-program ‘follow-up plan’ for parents and
caregivers to strengthen children’s resiliency and coping
skills by reinforcing the lessons learned from FAMEKids.
A Challenging Combination.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual Diagnosis is a developmental disability as well as
mental illness. Developmental disabilities are liberally
defined to include Autism, Down’s Syndrome, acquired
brain injuries, learning disabilities, attention difficulties
and a range of intellectual levels.
What is a Concurrent Disorder?
Concurrent Disorder is mental illness combined with
an addiction involving alcohol and/or drugs.
At FAME, we understand that this combination can
test your coping skills and those of your loved one.
Facing complex and long-term challenges is not easy.
It’s important to recognize that you, the caregiver will
need support and guidance along this journey.
Youth.
One-on-One Support for Teens.
It’s tough growing up around mental illness. Maybe it’s
mom or dad, a brother or sister. Maybe it’s a classmate
or even your best friend. It can be really hard to
understand what that person is going through, and
even harder to know how to help. We offer one-on-one,
confidential support to youth aged 12 to 21 years old.
Telephone Support for Teens.
Sometimes all you need is a phone call – a friendly voice
to listen. Someone who knows what you’re going through.
We can help get you started on the road to understanding
what your family member or friend is going through. We’re
here for you when you’re ready to talk.
First Episode – Early Intervention.
What is First Episode Psychosis?
First Episode Psychosis is the initial occurrence of
a psychotic episode defined as a loss of contact
with reality.
What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention involves the detection and treatment
of early signs of psychosis.
First Episode Psychosis Program.
In partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health (CAMH) and the First Assessment Clinical Team
Peel (FACT), FAME offers family support in dealing with
first episode diagnosis.