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Dear Friend: Welcome to the fall newsletter for FAMI-Alberta.
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Online events during COVID-19
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Monthly meetings: The building where Fami-Alberta holds its meetings, 10010 -105 st., has been closed to the public until January 2021. This presents a bit of a challenge for the organizational committee and interested members. We could possibly hold meetings via Zoom. We will announce how we will proceed for October through the website and the October newsletter .
Here a few suggestions for online activities and family support groups during the month of September.
Schizophrenia Society of Alberta
Wednesday, September 9th
6:00-7:00pm
Topic: Stress & Coping
Wednesday, September 23rd
6:00-7:00pm
Topic: Guest Speaker - Lived Experience & Q&A
Please check the SSA website, call 403-327-4305 or email kjames-hussey@schizophrenia.ab.ca to register.
Suicide Prevention virtual vigil Sept 10
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/annual-bridge-of-life-2020-tickets-115012996970
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Online learning experiences for everyone through the Recovery College
The Canadian Mental Health Association is currently offering CMHA Recovery College classes through online virtual delivery. There are courses for anyone: family, friends, and parents, and youth. All of their courses are developed and delivered in partnership with their peer supporters and students who are experts by experience: they have their own personal story of a mental health or substance concern, or are supporting a loved one. To review and register, please click on the links above or go to the CMHA website.
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Share your Feedback on CMHA Central Alberta's Recovery College Course Delivery Options
Like many organizations, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Central Alberta has made changes in how they deliver training due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In early May a decision was made to move all Recovery College learning online. More recently, a blended option was launched that allowed both online and limited attendance in-class learning.
These options have allowed a more flexible style of learning, especially for those participants in rural communities and Recovery College will continue to offer online only, blended, and classroom only education in the future.
We Want Your Feedback!
Co-development is a big part of the Recovery College model and input from participants and stakeholders will help Recovery College grow as part of the Central Alberta community.
Please register for one of the following online co-development "listening sessions" to help us learn more about what you would like the future of CMHA Recovery College education to look like:
- Co-development for Professionals
Thursday, September 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Co-development for People in Rural Communities
Wednesday, September 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Co-development for People with Mental Health or
Substance Use concerns
Thursday, September 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Co-development for Family Members of People with Mental Health
or Substance Use Concerns
Wednesday, September 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Recovery College and view our current courses, please visit our website.
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The Government of Canada intends to introduce a new caregiving benefit. The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for:
- A child under age 12 due to the closures of schools or daycares because of COVID-19.
- A family member with a disability or a dependent because their day program or care facility is closed due to COVID-19.
- A child, a family member with a disability, or a dependent who is not attending school, daycare, or other care facilities under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high-risk if they contract COVID-19.
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Bill 17, the Mental Health Amendment Act, was introduced into the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on June 4, 2020. The Bill was introduced partly in response to a Court of Queen’s Bench ruling in July 2019 that declared sections of the Mental Health Act (MHA) unconstitutional. It passed third reading three weeks later and received royal assent on June 26, 2020. However, most sections are not yet in effect as they have yet to be proclaimed. Proclamation is expected to occur later this fall, after the Court of Appeal gives its decision on the government’s appeal of the ruling. When/if it is proclaimed, the MHA will be amended accordingly.
Some of the amendments will include changes to the criteria for involuntary hospital admission, allowing health professionals more discretion to give information to family members, the definition of treatment, among other changes. The government has posted a summary of the main changes to the Act that will occur under Bill 17. Note that these amendments are not in effect until Bill 17 is proclaimed.
Once the amendments are in effect, FAMI-Alberta hopes to be involved in spreading awareness of the changes, to family members and health professionals alike. Watch for more information in the coming months. In the meantime if you want to contact your government representatives to express your views, see our advocacy page for more information.
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