Thank you to everyone who contacted your MLA in response to our Open Letter to the Alberta Legislature. You have made a difference.  

Bill 17, the Mental Health Amendment Act, passed third reading on July 25, three weeks after it was first introduced. As expected, it passed without any amendments. While it was never our goal to change what was in the bill, we recognized a teachable moment and acted on it. Our collective efforts made a difference in many ways:  

• MLAs across the province have heard directly from you, their constituents, and now have a better idea of the difficulties faced by those trying to help a family member with serious mental illness.
• We’ve started new dialogues with many key players – provincial government, police, civic government and various arms-length agencies.
• We’ve established a framework for discourse about mental illness that is centered on educating, not blaming or shaming.
• We’ve reminded policy-makers that laws and health systems must be human-centered, especially when dealing with the most vulnerable.
• Many of you who had never previously contacted their MLA have now been empowered and established an ongoing relationship.

If you haven’t contacted your MLA yet, you can still let them know that effective treatment for those with serious mental illness is vitally important. You can find contact information for MLAs and cabinet ministers on our advocacy page.

Bill 17 likely won’t become law until at least September, after the province’s appeal of the case that prompted it. How the changes to the Act will be implemented remains to be seen. We will do all we can to continue to keep our voices heard.
 

Back in the summer of 2016, there was no FAMI-Alberta. A couple of  friends -  both  frustrated and cranky parents of adult kids living with SMI - reached out to Alberta Health Services with an idea.  We had spent years playing wackamole, that is, trying to navigate a "system" to get help and support for our adult kids. We wanted to get information and support to other family members so their own journey would be less awful.  And, we wanted to make the "system" change. We decided to get organized. 

We "cold called" Alberta Health Services to tell them we were coming.   

 Jill Kelland answered. She had a mystifying title: "Director of Young Adult and Cross Level Service, Addiction and Mental Health Edmonton Zone". But apparently, the title refers to someone with passion, energy and principle.  From the start, Jill brought the right people to the table and she supported the organization. Over the years she has provided information, connections, ideas, including her own personal time and talent. She has listened and has worked for change from within. FAMI-Alberta was invited to teach her staff. She provided referrals and references, helped us find speakers and trainers, put us in rooms with people who can influence the creation and delivery of services to loved ones like ours. She came to our evening meetings and Saturday events. She gave her phone number. She raised her hand  - literally and figuratively  - when people asked for help.   

"I just wanted to ask that you who are the family members in this group to think about what kind of involvement you wish to have from AHS as we go forward. We are absolutely committed to the work that you have started and plan to do in the future, "

                                                                                      Jill Kelland to FAMI-Alberta 
                                                                                       December 14 2016 

Jill kept that promise and more.  

Jill's retired from her position this June. 

 Best wishes, Jill,  and many many thanks.  You made things better.  

         This summer, amid the challenges of COVID-19, we decided to revisit the vision and purpose of Fami-Alberta. We realized that our most effective measures have been in the area of advocacy, where we strive to make our voice heard with the government and various health agencies. We are also pleased with the education component of our vision, with our "Love You Forever" workshops and our speakers. We have also come to understand that there are many support services available for individuals needing support and encouragement in helping their loved ones. We will not be duplicating these as there are support groups far more focused on this. Rather, through our website, we will strive to direct you to the various support services available. Our Facebook group will continue to be a forum on everything concerning serious mental illness, including help for its members by its members.

     As with everyone else, our plans for the fall will be formulated and are contingent on the status of COVID 19 and the reopening of society in Alberta. We will keep you posted.

Are you lonely?

You once had so many friends. Now you spend all your time alone with your thoughts. Have you reached out to anyone you used to enjoy spending time with? Have you even thought of them, or does that bring back too many painful memories?

Are you...

Continue reading at famialberta.ca/2020/07/16/are-you-lonely/