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Dear Friend: Here's some important updates from FAMI-Alberta.
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Next FAMI meeting October 8
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FAMI-Alberta meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region (CMHA-ER) Training Room:
10010 105 Street NW, Room 300
(Transition Place) Edmonton
If the door is locked, press the intercom button and stand immediately in front of the door.
The October 8 meeting will feature Housing; Operators of WISH (Wellness Integrated Support Homes) will attend to discuss with family members what their homes provide, the costs and availability of their facilities. This is a two way conversation. All FAMI members with an interest in long-term supported housing are encouraged to attend this session – this is an opportunity to learn about (and perhaps to create!) permanent supported housing.
The November 12 FAMI-Alberta meeting will include a debrief of the Love You Forever event and a chance for new members to attend and be welcomed.
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Alberta Health Services Review
Have your say by October 7
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The provincial government is conducting a review of Alberta Health Services (AHS). The review is meant to identify potential ways AHS can reduce costs and improve performance by:
- examining AHS management structure, organization and administration
- evaluating AHS programs, services and policies
- comparing AHS to other province's health systems and best practices
- gathering input from employees, physicians and the public
Albertans are encouraged to provide their feedback and suggestions on how AHS can reduce costs and improve health care services.
To submit your ideas, email AHS.Review@gov.ab.ca by Monday, October 7, 2019.
Some comments you may want to consider:
- Early and effective treatment for those with serious mental illness will save money by avoiding multiple repeat hospitalizations.
- More (and more effective) resources in the community for those with mental illness will reduce expensive hospital stays.
- Better transitions to appropriate services at discharge will lead to better prognoses - at lower cost to the health system.
- Provide support to families (who are the caregivers) so their loved ones have a better chance at recovery and are less of a burden on the system.
Add whatever comments you think are worthwhile - just get your input in by October 7 to AHS.Review@gov.ab.ca. Get more information about the review here.
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Love You Forever workshop
you can still register!
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The seventh Love You Forever workshop will be held November 2, 2019 from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm at the Santa Maria Goretti Centre, 11050 90 St., Edmonton.
This workshop is for family, friends and professionals who support adults living with serious mental illness, especially those new to this journey.
Tickets are FREE - lunch is included! Donations to CMHA-Edmonton Region are encouraged.
There are still a few spaces left for family members. Once the spaces are filled, you'll be added to a waiting list. If you've registered and find you can't make it, please let us know so someone else can take your place.
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Free LEAP Training in October
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The main reason people with serious mental illness refuse treatment is Anosognosia — a brain-based symptom that impairs the ability to see their own illness. LEAP® (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner) is an evidence-based program that teaches you how to create an alliance with your loved one that can lead to treatment and recovery.
There's a few space remaining in the two-evening course for family members who want to learn how to use the LEAP approach. It includes:
- Identifying Anosognosia vs. "denial"
- Lowering anger, resistance & defensiveness
- Re-establishing trust & broken relationships
- Creating an alliance that leads to treatment.
This is free of charge and is intended for family members of someone with mental illness who doesn’t acknowledge their illness.
A course will be offered Tuesdays, Oct. 15 & 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm each evening at 6835 83 Street NW Edmonton. Please plan to attend both evenings.
The instructor has been trained personally by world-renowned psychologist Dr. Xavier Amador, author of I am not Sick, I Don’t Need Help. If you have questions or want more information, email Tim. Space is limited so register soon to avoid disappointment.
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During the summer a letter went from FAMI-Alberta to the federal government on the issue of availability of Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) and Disability Tax Credits. A group of FAMI volunteers is also working on ways to teach medical professionals how to properly describe symptoms for the purposes of disability tax certificate applications. Thanks to those who are working on this!
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Court Challenge to the Mental Health Act
Your input is needed!
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The Alberta Health Ministry is reviewing the Mental Health Act following a Court of Queen's Bench ruling in July that certain sections are unconstitutional. Though the ruling is under appeal, the government is still looking into changing the Act.
This presents an opportunity for us to speak out. Families are often frustrated by certain parts of the Mental Health Act, but most would agree that involuntary hospitalization and treatment are sometimes necessary when their loved one has no awareness of the illness. Others however have found it not effective or helpful.
You can help steer the conversation by completing this short questionnaire about your experience in getting help for your loved one with serious mental illness. It can be completed in under 4 minutes, and will make a huge difference when we speak to government. Together we're stronger!
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Save the Date: FAMI Conference May 22, 2020
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We're working on plans for a full-scale conference to be held in Edmonton May 22, 2020. Plans are still being formulated; watch for more details in the coming months.
With the conference being held, there will not be a Love You Forever workshop next May.
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Our website FAMIAlberta.ca is always being updated with new sections and resources.
Our Facebook group continues to be a safe space for sharing articles, concerns and support.
Our Twitter account regularly posts articles of interest.
And, this newsletter reaches a growing audience every month. If you know someone who wants to subscribe, or if you've had this forwarded to you and want to receive it directly, sign up here.
If you have anything you'd like to share with us, please let us know.
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