Welcome to our newsletter
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Lots of wonderful stuff, coming your way!
This is the second edition of the CMHA Ottawa client newsletter. We're calling it The New Leaf because it signifies optimism and change. Our goal is to provide you with great resources, information, news, and inspiration to assist you in your mental health journey.
In the months ahead, you'll find things like:
- Information about CMHA Ottawa services, news and updates
- General mental health tips, tips for healthier living and wellness
- Local and online resources
- Peer support, groups and social activities
- Opportunities to get involved
- Fun stuff
- And most importantly, your own creative expression: stories, poetry, visual art, music, and more!
If you haven't seen our first edition, check it out! It still has lots of helpful and interesting stuff.
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Do you have something you would like to share in an upcoming newsletter? Email us at newsletter@cmhaottawa.ca to discuss!
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The New Leaf #2 — Table of Contents
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DECEMBER FEATURE: PEER SUPPORT
- About CMHA Ottawa Peer Support
- Ask a peer support worker: Three questions for Lars Cloot + Lars' top local resources and events
BE IN THE KNOW
- Available now: CMHA Ottawa annual report
- Public transit news
- Removal of daily trip limit for Para Transpo riders
- OC Transpo is free for the month of December; includes LRT, Para Transpo
HELPFUL STUFF
- Free Holiday Meals 2021-2022
- Rogers Connected for Success: Internet plans starting from $9.99; now offering cable!
- Discovery University winter 2022 programming: Now open to applications **no fees**
- How to access the Mino'Weesini Grocery Program by the Parkdale Food Centre
EVENTS
- CMHA Ottawa Virtual Holiday Party: Two dates!
- Monday, Dec. 13 and Tuesday, Dec. 14 on ZOOM
- Virtual peer events at CMHA Ottawa: December + January preview
CREATIVITY CORNER
- Today's artwork and story: Life is a labyrinth
- One person’s story of the propelling power of visual art through the twists and turns of a mental health journey
GIVEAWAY TIME!
- December prize: Lush Gift Bag
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DECEMBER FEATURE: PEER SUPPORT
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At CMHA Ottawa, we have many programs and services to help our clients meet their goals. Each team has a different area of expertise.
If you stay subscribed to this newsletter, over time you will learn about all of the different departments, and the services they offer. Each of them will share with you some tips and helpful stuff.
Today, for the second edition of The New Leaf, we are featuring the Peer Support Team at CMHA Ottawa.
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Who said cats and dogs can't get along?
We say cats and dogs can be peers who lean on each other for support.
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About CMHA Ottawa Peer Support
What is peer support?
Peer support is a supportive relationship between people who have a lived experience in common. In other words, it’s when we use our collective wisdom to help each other. In this case, we support each other in our experiences around mental wellness and illness, meeting our needs in a complex system, and finding communities where we connect.
What can they do for you?
We offer virtual groups three days a week. We provide orientation to the online tools you need and can support you in connecting with us over the phone instead. While we would love to offer one-on-one peer support to everyone, our resources are finite, so while some clients may have access to one-to-one peer support with a referral from their worker, all clients have access to our peer groups. Please reach out to your worker and they can refer you and we’ll then follow up with you!
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Ask a peer support worker: Three questions for Lars Cloot
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 Lars Cloot has been a Peer Support Worker with CMHA Ottawa’s Housing Team since 2018, working closely with the Peer Team. Their work focuses on supporting people directly in the community, virtually, and on the phone. They also support peer services at CMHA Ottawa through program development, staying connected with other peer agencies like Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa and *Kind, and sharing resources with peers individually and in groups. The New Leaf caught up with Lars:
What is an average workday like for you?
I have the privilege of routine, but I don't know that my workday is ever "average". Every day, I connect with folks who receive ongoing peer support, and sometimes that looks like sitting with them quietly, sometimes it looks like exploring something really hard, and some days we swap recipes for vegan burgers. Most days you can also find me working on group development or marketing; getting information out to staff and clients of CMHA Ottawa to spread the word about peer support.
What is your favourite part of your job?
I connect with people who need peer support, taking their lead on what they want to explore. My favourite part of my job is when I'm talking to someone and they just blow my mind with something I've never thought of before – a new way of looking at a challenge in a way that opens a door for both of us.
What is new and exciting in peer support?
Some awesome group additions! Our Thursday group is transforming from a Peer Party board game group to Crafts with Cathy, a space to share our creativity. We're also excited to introduce Recovery College, a new initiative that expands on the workshops we've already offered, to build skills, educate, and connect people with information and communities that can help them grow. Keep an eye out for new groups related to Recovery College!
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Lars' top peer resources and events:
Resources:
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Mood Disorders Ottawa (MDO) is a registered nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that supports people with mood disorders and their loved ones.
MDO’s calendar: https://mooddisordersottawa.ca/calendar
- Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa (PSO) is a community of peers using their lived experiences with the mental health system to support one another in moving towards our full potential. They offer a safe and non-judgmental environment for consumer/survivors and their families to come together, support one another and build upon our skills.
PSO’s calendar: https://www.pso-ottawa.ca/calendars
- Ateliers de l’Élan: This program by Montfort Renaissance aims to support Francophones struggling with a mental health disorder in their recovery process and to encourage them to participate in community activities.
Ateliers de l’Élan calendar: https://montfortrenaissance.ca/en/calendar/
Events:
- MDO's Holiday Party: An in-person holiday celebration for members on Monday, Dec. 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. | By pre-registration only
- PSO’s Holiday Party – all day online Friday, Dec. 24 | Register in advance!
- PSO meet in person:
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Available now: CMHA Ottawa annual report
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We’re pleased to share with you our stunning 2020-2021 annual report. Check out the full report to learn all about CMHA Ottawa, including a look at our pandemic response, programs and services, strategic plan, and much more.
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Removal of daily trip limit for Para Transpo riders
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Do you use Para Transpo? Maybe someone you know uses it? Good news: There is now no limit to the number of trips a user can take in a day. That's right, Para Transpo has removed the cap of four trips a day. Check out the full story at the button below.
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OC Transpo is free for the month of December; includes LRT, Para Transpo
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As of December 1, you won't have to pay to use OC Transpo, the LRT, or Para Transpo for the next month. See the story below to learn more, and if you're heading out, don't forget your mask! 😷
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Free Holiday Meals 2021-2022
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Around this time every year, our wonderful friends at Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario / Navigation communautaire de l’Est ontarien prepare a list of the available free holiday meals in the Ottawa area, organized by date.
Click the button(s) below to view the list, and share it with anyone you know who may be looking for a nice holiday meal this season.
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Rogers Connected for Success: Internet plans starting from $9.99; now offering cable!
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Did you know? Rogers Connected for Success offers high-speed, low-cost internet to subsidized tenants, seniors, families with children and to individuals receiving disability and income support, with Internet plans starting at $9.99/month.
New! NOW AVAILABLE: Ignite Internet and TV Bundles starting at $39.99/month!
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Discovery University winter 2022 programming: Now open to applications **no fees**
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Via the Ottawa Mission:
Discovery University offers university-level courses to people 18 years of age or older living on low incomes or experiencing homelessness, taught by instructors from Ottawa’s universities – Carleton University, University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University. There are no course fees and course materials are free. Ten-week classes are offered twice a year.
Interested in becoming a student? Click the first button below to see the poster, and click the second button to see the full details and fill out an application form for Winter 2022!
You can also see details and fill out the form online here.
Applications are due by Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Discovery U is moving back to in-person programming, along with discussion groups held online via Zoom meetings.
Students will require double vaccination along with proof of vaccination in order to attend lectures on the University of Ottawa Campus.
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How to access the Mino'Weesini Grocery Program by the Parkdale Food Centre
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The Parkdale Food Centre has recently launched their new grocery program Mino'Weesini (formerly Food Bank) located at 5 Hamilton Avenue North in Hintonburg.
You can access the grocery program if you live within the boundaries of the Ottawa River to the North, Bayswater Ave/Bayview Station Road to the East, Carling Ave to the South, and Island Park Drive to the West.
In order to access the program from outside of the catchment described above instead of the food bank in your area, you must provide a referral from a doctor, social worker, or other health practitioner BEFORE you place an order. A note or a confirmation is required that states that you have visited your local food bank and that it is not accessible or appropriate for your needs. Please ask your CMHA worker to describe your concerns and contact the grocery program coordinator at the Parkdale Food Centre on your behalf.
Mino'Weesini operates three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At the present time, they can deliver anywhere up to 5 km from the centre, and offer pick-up times if delivery is not possible.
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Readers: Is there some helpful stuff that you would like to see featured in the newsletter? Don't hesitate to submit it!
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CMHA Ottawa Virtual Holiday Party: Two dates!
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Monday, Dec. 13 and Tuesday, Dec. 14 on ZOOM
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Let's all gather 'round for some good old-fashioned fun, the virtual way! Please join fellow clients and staff of CMHA Ottawa for some holiday cheer at our two-day virtual holiday party event – for one day, or both.
Who: Clients and staff of CMHA Ottawa only
When: Monday, Dec. 13 and Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Where: Join our ZOOM from your computer, tablet, or phone. Not sure about this virtual stuff? You can get connected with client IT support – ask your worker how!
What are we doing in our virtual party? Glad you asked!
- 2:00–2:30 p.m.
- Greetings in the main lobby and go through our virtual guidelines
- Get some basic how-to on using ZOOM Health – we’ll have tech support available if you run into any issues
- Choose from activities: Sing-along Karaoke, Craft and Chat, Mindfulness, or Jeopardy!
- 2:30–3:15
- Enjoy your activities!
- If you don’t want to stay in the room you chose, you can hang out in the main lobby where we’ll be doing trivia!
- 3:15–3:30
- Join us back in the main lobby for goodbyes and a raffle draw of prizes!
How: Save the date and time. Click this link to join the party. (You can use the same link for both days.)
Your privacy matters. That’s why we’re using an encrypted platform, removing last names as folks enter our virtual space, and requiring that everyone agree not to record videos or images of our event. We ask everyone to commit to the confidentiality of one another by being in a private space during our party, where only you can see your screen and hear what we’re sharing.
We’re look forward to dancin’ and prancin’ around Jingle Bell Square with you!
Join The Party: https://zoom.us/j/92920009534?pwd=WXY0cjI1RjdidmZYQVhXYVZ3OUY4dz09
Meeting ID: 929 2000 9534 | Passcode: HOHOHO2021
If you would like to join the party by phone, please RSVP with your worker and they will follow up with the phone number.
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Virtual peer events at CMHA Ottawa: December
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Did you know? In response to unprecedented times and needs, CMHA Ottawa’s Peer Team is offering our clients like you – our peers – virtual peer support groups on OnCall/zoom so you can attend from the comfort of your own home. All groups are facilitated by peer support workers, and there are no other professionals present.
- Every Tuesday there is the Peer Support Drop-In for CMHA Ottawa Clients, in which people get together to share the recovery journey and all the common struggles, opportunities and experiences associated with it.
- Every Wednesday is Wellness Wednesday, an online workshop-style peer group that uses resources like Recovery Library, PeerZone, and information from local consumer/survivor initiatives. These facilitator-guided workshops draws focus with slides addressing various issues in helping to provide information and resources, and to encourage members to reflect and feel safe to talk about and share their feelings.
- On Thursdays there's Peer Party, a chance to unwind with people who may have some shared experiences with you. We spend the first half hour checking in and seeing how everyone is doing, and then we play some online games together over OnCall/ZOOM, or do some trivia games as a group. The great thing is: whatever you learn here you can take with you!
Click the image below to explore the calendar!
To register, call Cathy Hennick at 613-552-4099 or email the team at peersupport@cmhaottawa.ca.
All Peer Support groups are available by either worker- or self-referral for clients of CMHA Ottawa.
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SAVE THE DATES: January preview: Wellness Wednesdays
- Jan. 5: Exploring our wellness
- Jan. 12: Exploring strengths: define self care, an introduction to the four pillars of self care
- Jan. 19: Explore the four pillars of self care (spiritual, emotional, mental and physical)
- Jan. 26: Support for the Journey: Who are my current supporters and are they able/willing to provide the support I need/want? How can I increase my support circle? What do I want or need in support?
Sound interesting to you? Call Cathy Hennick at 613-552-4099 or email the team at peersupport@cmhaottawa.ca to get registered!
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Today's artwork and story: Life is a labyrinth
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One person’s story of the propelling power of visual art through the twists and turns of a mental health journey
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A carousel of select pieces of Lisa's artwork, created through a process called 'paint pouring'.
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Lisa S. is an Ottawa-based artist and writer. She was born in Austria. The New Leaf asked her to describe her process and showcase her work. The following is an excerpt from Life is a labyrinth:
Imagine walking in a labyrinth made of walls built from see-through stones with surprising colourful experiences happening at each corner and on every detour. The sun is shining in and sometimes clouds cover the sky. I am not alone in the labyrinth, of course. I often come across people. Sometimes we barely notice each other, at other times we walk awhile together. I even happen to meet some of them again and reconnect with them. Often, I do not join them because I am too curious about my own path.
There are places to rest and there are places at which I spend a lot of time. The walls of the labyrinth are not exceedingly high, and if I lift my head, I can see other people, neighbours, friends, family, and strangers. We are all on our journey through life.
One day, I was resting in one of the corners. I had a dream where I saw...
[READ THE WHOLE STORY AT THE LINK BELOW]
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Readers: Do you have a story, painting, song, poem or photograph that you would like to have featured in the newsletter? We'll accept anything creative, really. Don't hesitate to submit it!
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December prize: Lush Gift Bag
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Our friends at Lush Rideau Centre gave us a very nice gift bag to give away to one lucky reader of The New Leaf. All you have to do to enter the contest is email us and tell us your favourite thing about this newsletter.
The Mint Set gift bag contains:
- Scented soap
- "Bath Bomb"
- Shower gel
- Body lotion
- Perfume
Not your kind of thing? Enter the contest anyway! It could be a great thing to re-gift to someone for the holidays.
We will choose a winner at random on Friday, December 17 and follow up with the winner directly. Click the button below to contact us and enter the contest. Good luck!
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Coming soon: The January edition of The New Leaf
- A feature section on the Nursing Team at CMHA Ottawa!
- More stories and news!
- More fun and helpful stuff
Do you have a general question for the nursing team? Send it to newsletter@CMHAOttawa.ca and it might be featured in the next edition! |
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Happy holidays from all of us at CMHA Ottawa!
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