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Voice of HOPE
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PATIENT/CLIENT & FAMILY COUNCIL
Our Mission:
The Patient/Client & Family Council will nurture hope and discovery by supporting the
recovery journey of people affected by mental health and/or addiction challenges.
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
Recovery
is Possible!
From the Editor
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Client Experience Survey
MEDline
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PPAO Profiles
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PPAO
30 years of Service
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Advocacy: Dr. K
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Advocacy: Dr. K
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Carrots, Eggs or
Coffee???
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My Journey Out of Restraints
to Hope, Dignity, & Empowerment
facebook
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PatientClientFamilyCouncil
A Personal Story Presented by:
Ombudsman Ontario’s Watchdog
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MSW Student
Leaves Her Mark
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MSW Student con’t
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Our Soldiers & PTSD
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Food Banks
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Role of a Lawyer
How I Self
Self--Advocated
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Advocacy - What are
you Using your Voice for?
Useful Tele #’s
Unleashed by Hope:
SEPT 2013
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We are located at
Waypoint Centre for
Mental Health Care
500 Church Street
Penetanguishene Ontario
L9M 1G3
705 549
549--3181 Ext 2180
1-877
877--341
341--4729
[email protected]
Theresa Claxton-Wali
Wed., Sept. 18th, 2013
10:00 to 12:00 in the Regional Gym
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
(500 Church Street, Penetanguishene)
Theresa will speak about:
Her personal experience with restraint/seclusion
The re-traumatisation that occurred because of this intervention
How she used her experience to work with stakeholders to examine and develop
the principles of least restraint in a psychiatric facility
Theresa Claxton-Wali is a person in recovery from mental illness and addiction, both as an
individual and from a family perspective. Theresa has a keen interest in social justice issues,
human rights, and advancing the civil and legal rights of individuals with mental illness &/or
addiction. She is a board member/chair of numerous Consumer focused organizations and
participates in copious committees on a local, provincial and national level. She is a Peer
Provider (Peer Supporter), a Peer Support trainer, a Recovery Educator & Consultant, and
the Recipient of the 2011 OPDI Peer Supporter
of the Year Award.
“Advocacy is an
important means of
Please join us in the gym from
raising awareness
9:45 to 10:00 am for pre-event
on mental health
social time with free coffee, tea
issues and ensuring
and hot chocolate!!
that mental health
is on the national agenda of
Registration is required.
Contact: Tammy Lorette
governments in policy, legislation and
at 705-549-3181 Ext 2146 or
service development.” (2003)
Email: [email protected]
Peek Inside
Find the Coupon for a free piece of clothing from
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you byThe
the Patient/Client
& Family
Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Store
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I am fortunate to have
this platform to bring
words to a
phenomenon whose
profound existence
lives and breathes at
Waypoint...as it does,
I suspect, in other
Dianne Stringer, Editor similar psychiatric
settings. It is at odds
with so much of what
I personally believe and do experience a great
majority of the time….but this phenomenon is in
need of addressing because of its harmful effect on
everyone associated with Waypoint. It merits
reflection, discussion and action.
What follows stems from an incident I experienced
while staffing our tiny store that sells gently used
clothing at Waypoint. As a client from our Provincial
Division came to shop escorted by two staff; one
male and one female, a casual discussion led me to
remark on how wonderful it was that a local retailer
recently donated clothing from their store.
need of segregation and difficult. The culture that
undermines the great work that is being done by
some employees at Waypoint should be a concern
for the administrators and architects of system
design as it does folks like me who come to this place
for help and healing. It is not lost on we folks living
with mental illness that the negativity and
abruptness from some staff members is directly
related to the fact that we present with mental
illness. I struggle to believe that caregivers on cardiac
or cancer wards in a general hospital would be as
dismissive and rude to the patients they deal with.
That brings me to this platform for expression. I AM
PROUD of where I work. I AM PROUD of the work I
do. I AM PROUD of the work I have done in my own
recovery. And I AM PROUD of the people……the
Waypoint employees….who walked this path with
me, who cried with me, who wiped my tears, who
spoke on my behalf, who encouraged me to speak on
my own behalf, who cheer-leaded me as I developed
my career in peer support and mental health
advocacy. I AM PROUD of Waypoint for its steps
towards a recovery oriented service.
With my knowledge of some possibilities that have
been tossed around regarding what might be sold in
a new retail space once the rebuild is completed, I
enthusiastically mentioned that Waypoint
promotional items may be sold in the future, such as
mugs or clothing with the Waypoint logo encrusted
on them.
The ethos of resistance to the concept of recovery
and all that it promises to be does not mean that
these caregivers are bad people or have bad
intentions. It means there exists a fear of the
unknown and fear of change. Where once those
tasked with confining a group of people that they
didn’t understand was mainstream, progression of
The female of the two staff members exclaimed, that human rights and understanding of all types of
“In no way would she ever buy or wear anything that human behaviour propels us to be better people. The
age of paternalism is finally being understood as
represented Waypoint” (outside of her uniform).
lessening a person’s ability for self-determination and
Sadly, the remark was indicative of an attitude that
ultimate recovery. In order for Waypoint to live up
permeates the halls of this and other psychiatric
facilities. It is a destructive force witnessed daily by to its slogan, “Good Things Happen Here” we need a
collective movement by employees to keep their
coworkers and worse still, by clients. All I could say
knowledge on recovery philosophy current, keep the
was, “Well….some of us are proud of where we
destructive paternalism of the past in the past, and
work.” And I left it at that. (Though not a Waypoint
keep hope alive in the hearts and minds of the
employee, I do work on the campus and am closely
people they serve and the people who love them, so
aligned with various aspects of the centre.)
that the prevailing Waypoint phenomena is a culture
The justification of the antipathy presented by some of recovery and wellness. Then we can all say, “I am a
staff members is deeply rooted in the bias and false part of what works!” and staff members can
belief that the mentally ill are intrinsically “bad”, in
proclaim, “I am a proud Waypoint employee.”
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care’s
Second Annual Client Experience Survey
When
This years’ Survey will be conducted September 23 – October 11, 2013.
What programs:
All inpatient programs at Regional and Provincial divisions
Community - Outpatients and Hero Centre programs
Who will survey:
Patient Client & Family Council Employees will be the
surveyors
Survey information
Same survey as previously – no changes in
content
Three survey types
 Inpatient survey
 Outpatient survey
 Modified survey
MEDline...got questions?
Waypoint’s Outpatient Services has developed a process for medication
access and education for its clients. A dedicated phone line for medication inquiries and
requests named MEDline is now available. This is a confidential service where clients can
call in with requests for information, prescription renewals and other medication related
inquiries. There is a nurse assigned to respond to messages on a daily basis and
get back to clients in a timely manner.
Pharmacy consultation can be coordinated through this process as well.
For more information or to access MEDline services,
call Outpatient Services at 705-526-0567
Beanie is feeling a little under the weather these days.
Please watch for her insights in the next issue of the Voice of HOPE.
Have you a question that Beanie could answer? Send them in. Beanie has a dog-dish
full of answers. Send to “Beanie” c/o Patient/Client & Family Council
500 Church Street, Penetanguishene Ontario L9M 1G3 [email protected]
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Your Patient Advocates and Rights Advisors at Waypoint:
Wade Stevenson
Cathy DiFonte
Julian Kusek
Rights’ Advisor
Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate
With a background in Social Service
Work Wade came to the PPAO as an
on-call community Rights Adviser in
2004, in his then hometown of
Sarnia, Ontario. In 2005 Wade
decided to take a fulltime position as
a Field Office Rights Adviser, with
the PPAO, and landed in the position
here at Waypoint.
Cathy has been with the PPAO at
Waypoint and with the Ontario
public service for over 20 years. She
hails from Newfoundland and has
strong ties to its culture and
community. Cathy spoke about the
changes over the course of her
career, mostly for the better and the
biggest change of all with the new
provincial building scheduled to be
occupied by clients in March, 2014.
Julian has been a Patient Advocate
at Waypoint and an Ontario public
servant for the past ten years. Prior
to coming to Waypoint, Julian had
careers in marketing, business
development and in the practice of
law.
During his time as a Rights Adviser,
he’s had the pleasure of protecting
the rights of Mental Health
Consumers, which is a very
marginalized group. As a Rights
Adviser, Wade advises clients of
their rights and provide assistance
exercising their legislated rights and
options. This can include locating a
lawyer, applying to the Consent and
Capacity Board, and completing
Legal Aid applications. The unique
needs of each client are taken into
consideration and respected, to
ensure that each person receives
service that best meets their needs.
“Every spirit builds itself a house;
and beyond its house, a world; and
beyond its world a heaven. Know
then, that the world exists for you:
build, therefore, your own world.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cathy has always been active as a
volunteer in the community and has
performed as a singer at various
events (yes, you can ask her to sing
and not regret it). Her passion is
best expressed when she advocates
for a client’s right to hope for a
better life – that hope must be
promoted by all care-givers.
Julian spent his early years in
Montreal and can speak both French
and Polish. He was educated at
Loyola, McGill and Collège Militaire
de St-Jean. Having worked in the
past as a summer student at mental
health centres in Verdun and
Montreal, Julian has always enjoyed
relating with patients, staff and
family members.
The daily efforts to advance patient
quality of life and to assist in the
personal journeys to recovery are
very gratifying. Patient advocacy is
not just a job but a passion.
Whatever the outcome, there will at
least be a smile from Julian (just
don’t ask him to sing!).
Check out Chato’s Homepage:
http://chatobstewart.com/
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Celebrating
30 Years
The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO) has been in existence for thirty years in Ontario. The PPAO assists users of mental
health services to advocate for themselves and take a more active role in their own care and treatment, recovery and individual life
choices. By raising professional and public awareness about existing safeguards in mental health and allied legislation, the PPAO
promotes the realization and protection of Ontario’s citizens who find themselves subject to involuntary psychiatric hospital
admissions and conditions. By upholding the rights and civil liberties of some of our population’s most vulnerable the PPAO delivers
a much needed and valuable service.
A Bit of History…
The PPAO was introduced as an advocacy program in Ontario in response to a number of events that took place in the 1970’s and
1980’s, including:

The formation of a series of patients’ rights and consumer groups lobbying for improvements in the care and treatment of
patients in provincial psychiatric hospitals and the advancement of patients’ rights;

The passage of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;

A series of patient deaths that occurred in 1980/81 at the Queen Street Mental Health Centre in Toronto that were subject to
coroner’s inquests. In each case, the coroner was critical of hospital policy;
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Media attention to the coroner’s inquests, the poor housing of former psychiatric patients and lack of community services;
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Media attention concerning mental health law that argued patients were being denied due process of law and were subjected
to autocratic and arbitrary decision-making by psychiatrists and bureaucrats;
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A clear trend in the direction of restricting psychiatric authority and extending patients’ rights; and
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The need to proclaim dormant sections of the Mental Health Act to bring the Act into compliance with the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms. The PPAO was asked by the Minister of Health to assist in the process.
(Information gleaned from PPAO website)
Overview of PPAO Services
Advocacy Services:
Services to clients are provided through individual case-work (instructed and non-instructed). Patient Advocates primarily resolve
patients’ complaints according to their instructions through negotiation with hospital staff. Wherever possible, they provide
support to patients to resolve their own concerns (self-advocate) about patient care, treatment, or rights.
Systemic Advocacy:
The PPAO also addresses systemic issues, which have an impact on the quality of care, life and rights of a large number of patients.
Systemic advocacy is aimed at promoting change in a way the mental health system delivers services to the people it is intended to
benefit.
Rights Advice:
Rights Advice is a process by which patients in psychiatric facilities and persons to be place on Community Treatment Orders (CTO)
and their Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM), if any, are informed of their rights when a doctor changes a person’s legal status.
Public Education:
PPAO provides education to the public about patient’s rights and entitlements through conferences, seminars, presentations,
publications and its web site.
To learn more about the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office, visit their website at:
http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mohltc/ppao/en/default.aspx
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Advocacy
Advocating for people with
mental health problems is
something important to me. I
have been providing psychiatric
treatments for over 25 years
now, one on one, but this is not
James Karagianis MD FRCPC
enough. Practicing for that
Psychiatrist in Chief
long, you begin to notice trends
Waypoint Centre
and patterns. You notice what
Associate Professor
of Psychiatry,
problems are common, what
University of Toronto
things people try to do to deal
with them, what tends to work
and what tends to make things worse. I’ve concluded that
system changes are needed and for that we need to take a
“public health” approach to mental health.
Public health deals with things like vaccinating
populations, ensuring water supplies are clean, and
making sure restaurants have high standards for cooking
and cleanliness. What can the field of mental health learn
from public health?
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On the positive side, I think the internet has been helping
people talk more about mental illnesses. It provides the
opportunity to express a point of view anonymously, but
very broadly. While this can also be misused, like anything
good, I think it is becoming more ok to talk about mental
health problems. On Facebook, there are many pages
devoted to discussions about mental health. All you have
to do is type in the name of a disease to find one. For
example, “Borderline Personality Disorder Community”
has almost 17,000 likes. There are many sites devoted to
cognitive behavior therapy. There is a bipolar peer
support group with 799 members. There are countless
blogs devoted to mental illnesses. These online
communities give hope that people can recover, and
provide opportunities to share success stories and answer
questions.
Advocacy in mental health is important because the
dollars are finite – they only go so far. We need to
compete with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and
Stroke Foundation, the March of Dimes and so many
Maybe the most important is that the squeaky wheel gets others to raise awareness and funds for mental health.
the grease. This is why advocacy is important. Certain
Advocacy is not just about getting better treatments, but
diseases make their way into the public eye for various
about reducing stigma, decreasing discrimination, helping
reasons. Maybe a celebrity like Michael J Fox has
to prevent mental illnesses, and promoting mentally
Parkinson’s disease, or Angelina Jolie had a double
healthy lifestyles. Its about creating a society where it is
mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. Lots of people
ok to have a mental illness, where it won’t prevent you
suffer from cancer or heart disease and foundations draw from advancing in your job, or getting a job in the first
in huge sums of money to fund research, early detection place.
and treatment advances.
Advocacy for mental health is also about critical thinking
Unfortunately, mental health still has an uphill battle.
What other disease area has to fight against silly
perceptions that the disease does not exist? Have you
ever heard someone say they don’t believe in cancer?
Have you ever heard anyone say that urologists just want
to drug people and take pleasure from keeping them in
hospital? Have you ever heard someone say that
osteoporosis is being over-diagnosed? Part of our
problem is that mental illnesses are difficult to objectively
measure because they reside in the brain, an extremely
complex organ protected inside a thick bony skull, and
most people don’t like having their brain exposed, poked,
prodded or biopsied. So we have to work around that
limitation.
and learning about bias and how to deal with it. As some
of you have heard me say before, bias is all around us at
all times, is easily overlooked, but is a powerful force for
shaping how things turn out. My favourite quote is from
the Greek philosopher, Epictetus, who said about 2000
years ago, “Men are disturbed not by things but the views
they take of things.” We need to do a better job of
recognizing automatic negative thoughts, for example,
and correcting them without getting angry that they
happened. This is why I have done a bunch of talks about
cognitive therapy, and why we are starting a group at
Waypoint to try to use CBT methods to improve our
effectiveness and functioning as individual humans.
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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We need to help the media understand more about
mental illness, so they can report events in a more
balanced and less sensationalistic way. We need to help
law enforcement agencies rapidly recognize someone with
a mental illness and get them to help before lethal force is
used. Just getting angry won’t make things change; we
need to be rational in our responses. We need to help
politicians understand mental illnesses so that they don’t
make more laws that criminalize the mentally ill or
unnecessarily prolong their time in custody.
Unfortunately, Bill C-54 is a recent example of how much
more work we still need to do in this area.
I advocate for mental health on my Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/Dr.KPsychiatry. You don’t have to be
a patient to “like” the page; I have friends, family,
colleagues and plenty of people who I don’t know, who
get updates from my page regularly.
I also advocate for patients with mental illnesses through
my work as Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Waypoint. I try to
ensure that everybody gets the resources they need to be
as healthy as possible. Sometimes this requires long term
planning and patience, lots of discussion, and persuasion.
Trying to hire and retain the best mental health
professionals, and ensuring we meet high standards of
practice is also part of this advocacy work. Talking about
mental illness in the community is part of it. Liaising with
police, teachers, bureaucrats and politicians also provides
opportunities to improve understanding.
The Psychiatric Patient Advocacy Office is an important
partner at Waypoint. Along with hospital staff, we are all
trying to achieve common goals, the improvement of the
mental health of our patients using the least restrictive
means. They advocate not just for individual needs but
group needs too.
Finally, this publication, the Voice of Hope, is itself a great
tool for advocacy. The positive messages are great
reading not just for those of us with mental health
concerns but even more broadly. For example, the OPP
has asked to receive copies for their own education, and I
think that it’s fantastic that they want to learn more about
mental illnesses.
I would love to hear more about ideas for advocacy from
other people. It’s slow going, but standing back and
looking at the progress since I started as a psychiatrist,
we’re definitely getting there!
Visit Dr. K’s Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/
Dr.KPsychiatry
The Waves
Sometimes clashing do they come
Letting anger beat their drums.
Sometimes gentle as a dove
Bringing hope and peace and love.
The waves returning endlessly
Causing change eventually.
And so like waves, we all must dare
To work for change, to say we care.
To make our point and then retreat
Mixing dreams with those we meet.
The task seems endless, yet we know
Waves can change the rocks below!
Jean Warren
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Grandmother Says... Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; "Which are you?"
A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were
so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She
was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she
placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans.
She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed
them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the
coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what
do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an
egg and break it.
After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.
Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then
asked. "What's the point grandmother?"
Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became
weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a
breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the
inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the
water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better
and change the situation around you.
When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
The Voice of HOPE is your vehicle to express and share your stories of survival, resilience, humour and
HOPE. We especially want to hear from mental health and addiction consumers, and their families
about how, in the face of adversity, they’ve flourished, stumbled and got back up.
Send your comments about this publication, your stories, poems, helpful tips, etc. to:
Dianne Stringer, Editor Voice of HOPE - c/o Patient/Client & Family Council
500 Church Street, Penetanguishene ON L9M 1G3 [email protected]
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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The Ontario Ombudsman office
has been around since 1975. Its
primary purpose is as an
independent investigator of
complaints made from the
public about provincial
government services. The
Ombudsman is an officer of the
provincial legislature, but
independent of the government and all political parties.
With over 500 Ontario government ministries, corporations,
agencies, boards, commissions and tribunals open to the
scrutiny of the Ombudsman, Ontario’s Watchdog keeps busy
indeed.
The Ombudsman has strong powers of investigation. While
the majority of complaints are resolved quickly and
informally, the Ombudsman has the power to inspect
provincial government premises and documents and to
summon witnesses. All provincial government agencies must
co-operate with the Ombudsman’s investigations after
which the Ombudsman will recommend solutions. However,
while the office has strong investigative powers, it has no
power to enforce recommendations or change. According to
the office of the Ombudsman, almost all recommendations
have been accepted and implemented resulting in reforms
that have affected millions of Ontarians.
It is interesting to note that there is a portion of service
organizations in Ontario that the Ombudsman cannot
investigate which is a point of contention among many.
Called the MUSH sector (Municipalities, Universities, School
boards, Hospitals and long term care facilities, nursing
homes, children’s aid societies or police) the office receives
hundreds of complaints each year and can do nothing.
Ontario lags behind other Canadian provinces in this regard.
Despite open discussion by former Premier Dalton McGuinty
to open the door to Ombudsman oversight one year ago,
2, 541 complaints had to be turned away as they were
outside of the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman’s office.
To read more about Ontario’s Watchdog,
visit the main website at
Complaint received by
Early Intervention Team
Within Ombudsman’s mandate and person has
used legislative avenues of complaint
Yes
No
Refer to appropriate
resources
Resolution attempted
Resolved or no further action necessary
Investigation
Not resolved
SORT investigation
(complex, high-profile, systemic issues)
Notice to governmental organization
Formal investigation
Full field investigation
Findings and report and/or
recommendations (where warranted)
http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Home.aspx
Check out the “Investigations” tab for samples of complaints that were addressed recently.
You can also launch a complaint using forms available on the website.
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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MSW Student Leaves Her Mark
In the fall of 2012 I met Ann Thompson, a prominent
advocate and educator in the field of mental health
recovery, in my Masters studies at York University.
Although I had done some work in mental health
previously, the concept of recovery was completely new
to me and I found the literature in this area to be
inspiring, hopeful, and challenging to the dominant
understanding of mental health. As a critical social worker,
I am drawn to ally with this growing consumer/survivor
movement to fight the systemic oppression and
discrimination that mental health service users experience
both within the mental health system and in Canadian
society. It was my connection to Ann Thompson that led
me to Kathryn Storey and Cyndi Rowntree who have
greatly influenced my understanding of mental health
recovery and my developing philosophy of advocacy and
practice.
Delving into the research, I learned that the traditional
biomedical responses to mental illness are often
experienced as re-traumatizing, dehumanizing, and
increase the likelihood of chronic illness due to the nature
of the processes and interventions used. I also learned
how the reproduction of norms also produces the
abnormal subject (or person) through the diagnosis of
difference. Because we are socialized to highly value
science, medical experts, and the tools they use (i.e. the
DSM V, psychiatric medications, talk therapies, etc.),
medicalized approaches to mental health are the accepted
standard, which remains mostly unquestioned. We forget
that knowledge is created by people and research is now
showing how the values of the researcher influence every
part of the research; therefore, science is not value-free,
but based on theories that are tested within a controlled
context and do not equal a singular truth that can be
generalized across all cultures and contexts. For example,
the ownership of African slaves was once accepted as a
norm and psychiatric research at that time found runaway
slaves to be suffering from a mental illness called
‘drapetomania’, which caused them to flee (Szasz, 2010, p.
60). My point in sharing this information is to point out
how the values of the researcher and the social norms of
that time (context) led to the assignment of a diagnosis
that described that behaviour as abnormal. In today’s
context, running away from slavery would be considered a
reasonable or rational decision rather than being seen as a
mental illness.
York University MSW Student Shelley-Ann Maxwell and
Dianne Stringer of the Patient/Client & Family Council
Remembering that all diagnoses are clusters of symptoms
that are grouped by medical experts in order to label and
treat a particular ‘problem’ creates space for us to
question both the diagnosis and how or why it is treated.
For example, hearing voices in some cultures is considered
an illness, whereas, in other cultures it is seen as a gift. It is
important that we question who has the power to define
an experience as good or bad, how their values inform
those rigid definitions, and how professional experts are
invested in them. Experiences are judged as good or bad
based upon interpretation not fact. The message I learned
from critical theories in mental health is to always
question the taken-for-granted knowledge or constructed
‘truths’, and how power reproducing those ‘truths’ about
people, by considering what has been left out. The
recovery movement would tell us that what has been left
out is the voices and knowledge of people who experience
mental health challenges (experiential experts) and how
their knowledge base and experiences may be different
than medical knowledge, yet valuable.
I was excited to have the opportunity to do a student
placement with the Patient/Client & Family Council and to
learn how recovery and other mental health theories are
influencing the processes and the people within Waypoint
Centre. I have met many wonderful people here who have
provided me with incredible opportunities to learn from
their experiences and knowledge in mental health.
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Working with the Council has allowed me a unique view of
the challenges in moving towards a recovery-oriented
framework for the provision of mental health services. I
have been impressed by the critical insight, resiliency, and
commitment to the principles of recovery and to the
people at Waypoint Centre demonstrated by the Council
members. It has been an honour and a privilege to learn
from the Council and especially Cyndi Rowntree and
Dianne Stringer, whose advocacy efforts touch the lives of
so many people every day. Together, they exemplify that
not only is recovery possible, it is happening!
am speaking about peer supporters – the unsung heroes
of mental health. My hat is off to you! I am thankful that I
have had the opportunity to learn from you and the
privilege to ally in the recovery movement. Kudos to the
staff at Waypoint who are taking the time to learn about
recovery and peer support, and especially to the leaders
who are implementing peer support as a Best Practice in
supporting wellness and recovery.
In closing, my purpose in writing this article is to advocate
for critical thinking and questioning who benefits from ‘the
way we’ve always done it’ and who does not. Change can
Cyndi and Dianne demonstrate how the commitment to
be scary because we are facing the unknown, but recovery
bring positive change can be challenging, but can also
is all about positive change and risk is part of life and
produce meaningful changes in the lives of the clients they growth. I am advocating for providers to be courageous
are dedicated to serving. Their passion to foster respect
enough to listen to the consumer/survivors seeking
for the client’s rights and wishes in defining their own
change and to work with them to discover how to create
recovery incorporates a respect and appreciation for staff services that are flexible and meet their needs.
experiences as well. What is so wonderful about this is
Professional experts have a wealth of knowledge and
their resistance to the dominant binary of ‘us and them’
experience to contribute to the cause; thus, recovery is
that is so often reinforced between service providers and not a threat. I am also advocating for service users to
service users. In reality, this division does not exist. Mental educate themselves on recovery and peer support and for
health challenges do not discriminate and affect people in their right to define their journey. Experiential experts
all walks of life and the provision of services benefits both have a wealth of knowledge and experience that is driving
users and providers. We are in this together and are
positive change – embrace your own power. To consumer/
mutually dependent despite enshrined hierarchies. There survivor advocates – thank you for leading the cause and
should be no shame in experiencing life, reality, or feelings for opening our eyes to new and more respectful ways
differently because in actuality, we all experience these
toward wellness. Please keep fighting for consumer rights,
things with some variability based on our perceptions and for hope, and for the possibilities in recovery! And thank
past experiences. Some of us have natural supports in our you to everyone who has contributed to my learning
environment that help us face life’s challenges, but we all experience and personal understanding of recovery. In
have times when we look to others for support or
friendship and solidarity, I stand with you.
assistance. There should be no shame in seeking formal
supports to augment our own strengths and we should not Reference: Szasz, T. (2010). Coercion as cure: A critical history
see ourselves or others as lacking because we are
of psychiatry, (2nd ed). New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.
accessing the supports available to us.
ISBN: 978-0-7658-0379-5.
I have learned that the heroes in mental health are not the
experts who lead our care, but those who stand beside us.
The true heroes are the people who have walked the path
of mental illness and/or addiction, who have learned to
walk the path of recovery and are willing to accompany
those who are still struggling to find their way. Of course, I
Free Clothing Coupon
Please sign Coupon
Good for one piece of donated clothing from the General Store
Limit: One coupon per customer per quarterly issue
____________________
Expires November 30th, 2013
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Our Soldiers Put More Than
Their Lives On The Line
Submitted by Michael Silvio
On November 11 Canadians will honour the brave men and women who left their
homes and families to fight for our Freedom and our great nation. Some endured
suffering and pain to die on the battlefield. The rest came home and continued to
suffer…..some physically…..and some mentally.
In the Civil War it was called “Soldier’s Heart”, in World War I it was “shell shock” and during World War II and Korea
it was “combat fatigue”. Today, it is clinically known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
Many WWII veterans with PTSD were initially diagnosed as having Anxiety Neurosis, Depressive Neurosis,
Melancholia, Anti-social Personality or even Schizophrenia because the correct diagnosis did not yet exist. It wasn’t
until 1980 when The American Psychiatric Association coined the term “PTSD”.
My dad, who was Maltese and worked for the RAF on an air force base in Malta, would tell me stories about war time
Malta and how it almost fell to the Germans and Italians.
“They tried to starve us to death,” he told me. My dad would hold up his hand and place his opposite thumb on the
tip of his finger, “we had a piece of cheese that big to eat……once a day. Sometimes we wouldn’t (eat) for days and
days. We were scared…….the British and us. We ALL prayed for a miracle.”
My dad knew guys who “weren’t right” after the war. When I asked him if they went to the doctor for help he said,
“You didn’t go to the doctor for stuff like that back then.”
A survey that was completed in June 2010 during the Afghanistan mission covered
more than 17 000 Canadian soldiers returning from all regions of Afghanistan since
2005. The survey showed that most soldiers reported good mental health. There was
12 per cent who had one or more mental health problems including PTSD and
depression. A further 13 per cent of the troops were engaging in harmful or
hazardous drinking.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and medication have been used in the treatment of
PTSD.
Veterans Affairs Canada offers a program that includes rehabilitation, financial
benefits, job placement, health benefits program, disability support, peer support and
family support.
The General Store at Waypoint
We wish to thank everyone who has donated gently used clothing and
products over the years. Thanks also to those who make purchases which
benefits and provides wages to those clients working in the store. It is
your efforts that keep us rolling.
Staff, Visitors and Clients are ALL welcome
to shop at the General Store!
We ask that if you are donating clothing items that you consider the season
as we do not have room to store out of season items.
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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FOOD BANKS
St Ann's Roman Catholic Church 28 Robert St W Penetanguishene
Goals are to meet the immediate and basic needs of people on humanitarian grounds.
Primary service is a food bank. Call ahead Mon-Thu 10 am-5 pm for appointment.
(Tele: 705-549-2560)
St. Margaret’s Catholic Church - 589 Hugel Ave., Midland
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has a food pantry open 3 days a week. The food pantry has a daily quota
and will not go over the quota for each day. Pantry Hours Mon-Wed 10 am-12 noon to register, 2 pm for
food pick-up. (Tele: 705-526-6313)
Salvation Army Food Bank— 555 Dominion Ave., Midland
Provides access to food bank and assistance with medical expenses. New clients must show ID and there is
no waiting list. Clothing needs are referred to Thrift Store. (Tele: 705-526-2751)
Food Banks
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
28 Robert St., Penetanguishene
705-549-2560
 St. Vincent DePaul
Food Bank: 705-549-2560
Note: you MUST call first for days & times
St. Margaret’s Church
589 Hugel Ave., Midland
705-526-6313
 St. Vincent DePaul
Food Bank: 705-526-7585
Mon, Tues, Wed - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Thurs—5:30—7:00 p.m.
Salvation Army
555 Dominion St., Midland
705-526-5683
 Food Bank:
Mon, Wed, Fri - 9:30—11:30 a.m.
Places to Go to Eat
Knox Presbyterian Church
539 Hugel Ave., Midland
705-526-7421
 Gift of Grace Food Kitchen:
Tuesdays 10:30 am
Royal Canadian Legion
2 Poyntz St., Penetanguishene
705-549-7971
 Helping Hands Food Kitchen:
Wednesdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
St. Paul’s United Church
308 King St., Midland
705-526-6077
 Drop-in: Coffee & Muffin
Mondays 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Wendat (Members Only—reservation required)
237 Second St., Midland
705-526-1305
 Food Kitchen:
Wednesdays 5:00pm ($3.00)
 Food Kitchen:
Saturdays 12:00pm ($2.00)
Covenant Christian Community Church
95 Robert Street East, Penetanguishene
(705) 528-0934
 Friday Community Brunch
Fridays (doors open at 8:30 am)
Brunch served at 10:15 am
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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The Role a Lawyer Plays in Advocating on Your Behalf
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Written by Wanda L. Warren
Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public B.A., LL.B.
I think sometimes staff and families don’t realize how
frightening it can be to be locked up in a hospital against
I have been practicing law for over thirty years. Throughout your will and have staff accept the family’s version of events
instead of patient’s version. Sometimes the family is not
my career I have enjoyed representing clients with special
needs. I started representing involuntary clients in hospitals being honest and they have an ulterior motive for what they
in my first year of practicing and I have been doing so ever tell the doctor. This is why my job is important. It is my job
to fight for what the patient believes to be in their best
since. I have represented clients in ten different hospitals.
For the most part, I see my clients at the hospital. I have my interest.
own private office within the town of Penetanguishene. I
I also represent clients who come to the hospital from
am not hired or affiliated to any hospitals and therefore am criminal court. They are often at the hospital to be assessed
able to remain completely independent.
as to whether they are fit to stand trial or if they are too
I represent clients at the Consent and Capacity Board for a
wide variety of issues, including but not limited to:
involuntary patients attempting to seek release; patient’s
right to make decisions regarding their own treatment;
patient’s rights to keep control of their own finances,
money and property; when they are not being allowed to
make their own decisions about whether they go into long
term care in a nursing home. Clients often prefer to stay in
their own home; patient’s right to choose who makes
decisions on their behalf. I also represent clients whose
doctor wants to restrict their liberties after they have been
released from the hospital on a Community Treatment
Order. I represent the client’s point of view and wishes at
the Consent and Capacity Board. Families and staff often
think that they should make the decisions for the patient,
however every person is entitled to their own lawyer; to
represent their point of view and to fight for the
treatments, rights and placements which the patient wants.
mentally ill to understand what is happening in court.
Additionally, I represent clients on the issue of whether
their illness precludes them from being responsible for their
own criminal actions. I represent these clients at the
Ontario Review Board (ORB) and the court. Clients who are
found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) have an ORB
hearing once a year. This is their opportunity to ask the
board to move them to a different hospital or to discharge
them. Again, it is my responsibility (or any lawyer they
choose to hire) to represent their point of view to the ORB.
Clients often want the lawyer to negotiate for them with the
doctor an increase in privileges and I am quite willing to do
this if that is their instruction.
Clients can request lawyers to do other things for them, i.e.
wills, family law matters or they may wish to sue the
hospital. These people I refer to the Patient Advocate Office
– who help them find a lawyer that does that kind of legal
work, as I do not.
Hello everyone. My name is David and I would like to share my journey and how I learned to selfadvocate.
I came into the Georgianwood Program July 2012. I was a lost soul, confused, sad, and full of
despair. I had no ID and no money. Just a desire to learn how to cope in society...to function.
With the help of HERO centre staff, they guided me through that confusing maze of recovering my
ID. They gave me the necessary forms and guidance and gave me the drive to deal with
governmental offices. They taught me how to advocate, to exercise my rights and receive the
documentation to proceed to the next step.
I had no income. None. Again, with the help of Waypoint staff and their gentle but firm guidance,
I learned how to apply for EI. I resisted. I didn't think I deserved it, but staff told me that I had a
right to this money. I did deserve it. So again, now armed with my replaced ID and medical
documentation, I applied for and received EI. I did it on my own. I self advocated, and won.
David Meredith, Board Member
Patient/Client & Family Council
Next, came the matter of housing. I applied to Shelter Now and was told the wait list was 9 months. By this time I had left the
Georgianwood Program and was in a boarding house. It was terrible. Once again I drew on my support team from Waypoint and
friends. I persisted with Shelter Now staff, making my presence known. I self advocated, and I won.
I guess the moral, if there is one to be had, is to know your rights. Ask people who can guide you through the steps which will help you
to get what you need and deserve. And you know what? The sense of achievement you get by doing this can’t be bought for any price!
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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Advocacy...What are You Using Your Voice For?
to mistreatment and inequalities too often met further
reprisal and ostracizing from family and the community.
Advocacy is the main determinant moving our society
These early pioneers met many branches in the face as
forward. Without courageous folks over the years
they moved from victimization to action and gave voice
standing up for what they believed in, we would still be
to the voiceless. These comrades exist today within what
legally enslaving men, women and children (in America),
is called Consumer Survivor Initiatives (CSI’s). The
and denying that women are “persons”. (On Oct. 18,
Patient/Client & Family Council is a CSI and we do
1929, women are finally declared "persons" under
advocate on behalf of our peers both on an individual
Canadian law.) It was the efforts of the civil rights and
basis and systemically. Whenever possible and upon
suffrage movements that our “civilized” society came
request we try to encourage a peer to raise their own
into being. No doubt there are still areas where our
voice with our support. Being heard is innate among all
culture has a long way to go. Gay pride is dominant as
persons and each time we entertain that voice, we
the civil rights movement of our day. There will always
grow….we become empowered and more fully
be opposition on any great cause….reasons for or
ourselves. Advocacy is a vital part of the recovery
against….that is the beauty of democracy. Society peril is
process. It gives us ownership of our lives propelling us
cultivated when free thought is suppressed. If we look to
to live a better life.
countries like North Korea we see the manufactured
Sparked by the lobbying and coalition efforts of various
compliance among its citizens. Atrocities run rampant
advocacy groups, private enterprise and governments
behind the veil of marching soldiers and singular
devotion to an ideal that breeds fear and idolization of a have emerged to offer services and funding for effective
single man. Those souls who advocate for human rights treatment, financial aid, employment and housing
are quickly declared enemies of the state and delivered support. While disability benefits still linger well below
the poverty line, and some folks continue to fall
harsh punishment, including death.
between the cracks, change is happening. Hope is real.
People living with mental health and/or addiction
The value of peer support and self-help is also entwined
challenges and who’ve experienced the mental health
into the fabric of the recovery culture. Public education
system know how the stereotypical caricatures of
campaigns, such as Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct.
mentally ill persons flourish stigma, marginalization and
6 – 12, 2013) have also aided in demystifying mental
mistrust. It is an endless struggle to look for
illness and addictions in the public arena.
understanding, inclusion and compassion. Activism
among people living with mental illness is gaining more Please watch for an announcement on what the Patient/
Client & Family Council will be doing locally to honour
acceptance.
Mental Illness Awareness Week. Past initiatives included
Our advocacy movement is, in many ways still in its
manning a booth providing information on mental
infancy. Calling themselves “ex-inmates” small groups of
illness/health and addictions at a mall in the Midland/
former patients began to spring up in random American
Penetanguishene area, Public Service
states in the late 1960’s leading to the liberation from
Announcements and mention in the
forced institutionalization for many of our brothers and
media. This National Annual Campaign
sisters languishing in the dark, back wards of antiquated
is proudly endorsed by the Patient/
facilities. Deinstitutionalization, however certainly did
Client & Family Council and Waypoint
not live up to all it could have been. Too often it led to
Centre for Mental Health Care in
“patient dumping” and homelessness with a lack of any
Penetanguishene Ontario.
support. Those brave enough to cry out their objection
Written by Dianne Stringer, Editor
OCTOBER 6 - 12
2013
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
16
The views, opinions & articles herein do not
necessarily reflect those of the Patient/Client & Family
Council, its staff or volunteers or
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.
We reserve the right to not print any material
we feel inappropriate.
Any information should not be
considered medical advice and you should
contact your health care provider if you
have any concerns or issues.
The Patient/Consumer & Family Council (PCFC) was
established in 1994 in response to the growing need to
have patients/consumers involved in their treatment
and the policies which directly affected their care.
In June 2004 we became incorporated and our name
changed to the Patient/Client & Family Council. We
have a Board of Directors and team of employees
comprised of people with lived experience of mental
illness and family members of people with that same
lived experience.
For more information, contact:
Cyndi Rowntree, Executive Director
(705) 549-3181 Ext. 2181
[email protected]
The Patient/Client & Family Council
is grateful to
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
for providing financial support for
the publication and distribution
of the Voice of HOPE
Thanks to The Voice of HOPE Newsletter Committee
Useful Telephone Numbers (705)
A.A., Al-Anon, Al-Teen ........................... 526-3305
Canadian Mental Health Association 726-5033
Canada Pension Plan .................. 1-800-277-9914
Children’s Aid Society ........................... 526-9341
Community Link ..................................... 528-6999
Consumer Survivor Project .................. 444-1844
ENAAHTIG .............................................. 534-3724
Family Mental Health Initiative .............. 725-0363
Georgian Bay General Hospital ............ 526-1300
GST Inquiries ................................ 1-800-959-1953
HERO Centre .......................................... 549-5268
Human Resources Dev. Canada ........... 526-2224
Income Tax Inquiries.................... 1-800-959-8281
Kinark Child & Family Services............. 526-3708
Midland Police Services ........................ 526-2201
Native Friendship Centre ....................... 526-5589
N.S. Catholic Family Life Centre ............ 526-9397
Ministry of Community, Family & Children
Services - Includes: Employment Support,
Ontario Disability Support Program + other
Provincial Gov. Support Services ... 1-800-565-9871
Our Place Social Club ............................ 526-6062
Ont. Provincial Police .................. 1-888-310-1122
Outpatient Services Waypoint .............. 526-0567
Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hosp ............. 325-2201
Rape Crisis Line ........................... 1-800-987-0799
Rosewood ............................................... 526-4211
RVH Barrie .............................................. 728-9802
South Simcoe & Barrie Housing Authority
(includes Midland) .................................... 725-7215
Telecare................................................... 528-1432
TeleHEALTH .................................1-866-797-0000
Victim Crisis Assistance Referral ......... 527-8778
Waypoint Centre ..................................... 549-3181
Waypoint Centre (Toll Free) ......... 1-877-341-4729
Wendat .................................................... 526-1305
Canadian Mental Health Association
Simcoe County
David Meredith, Anne O’Farrell-Schultz, Mike Silvio,
Dianne Stringer, Heidi & Beanie Triska
Mental Health Crisis Line
Thanks also to Laurene Hilderley for your editing guidance
1-888
888--893
893--8333
7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Feedback ALWAYS welcomed
705
705--728
728--5044
Interested in publishing your poem, quote, article or upcoming event in our newsletter?
Please contact the Editor, Dianne Stringer
Phone: (705) 549-3181 EXT. 2751 Email: [email protected]
at the Patient/Client & Family Council: 500 Church Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario L9M 1G3
The Voice of HOPE Newsletter September 2013 —Brought to you by the Patient/Client & Family Council—Penetanguishene Ontario Canada
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