The Rights Stuff

Our mission is to encourage, enable and empower the voice of consumers in the mental health system June • July • August 2012 Inside this issue:

Mental Health Rights Coalition centre. From the Executive Director & 2 has once again been approved Editor for a grant by the Government of We are very grateful to the to provide a job to a post Government of Canada for this Make Physical Activity Summer 3 secondary student. grant and to our summer Fun Goal students past and future for This student can come from any being an integral part of the Air Quality & Activity 3 background and program. Lived Mental Health Rights Coalition. experience of mental illness or Healthy You Program 3 addiction is the key. For information about the job description, qualifications and Our past summer students have application process, turn to Fun & Free things to do 4 helped plan events, organize page 7. community resources, create Calendar & Event highlights 5-6 documents and design publications. They have been Boat Cruise 5 involved in many aspects of the daily operations of the drop-in World Hepatitis Day 5 Wellness Recovery Women Empowered Action Plan Continues Diamond Jubilee 6 Support group for WRAP® -Wellness Recovery Action Hepatitis C Peer Support 6 women only. Plan® is a system to help individuals work through mental health challenges training First Tuesday of each or life issues. It is adaptable to any situ- ation. Summer Student Job 7 month http://www.mentalhealthrecovery.com/ If you have a topic you would like We have offered a series of WRAP WRAP posters 8 to see addressed in the group, groups as part of a study sponsored by email Jennifer at The Trillium Foundation [email protected] A Niagara group is soon starting. Flyer Win your cruise, free! 9 pages 8 Calendars 10-12

Mental Health Rights Coalition, 20 Jackson St W Suite 206 A, Hamilton ON, L8P 1L2 | Phone 905-545-2525 | fax 905-545-0211 | www.mentalhealthrights.ca

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 1

Executive Director: to laugh along with Brenda Lennie’s Frances V. Jewell “summer vacation photographs” as [email protected] a well as other talented comedians. We were privileged to hear some of Hamilton’s finest musicians play for It feels like sum- Here at MHRC every day is mental us. Thanks to Kevin Barber for mer has been health day but from May 6th to 12 organising and engaging Martin here for a long time. March gave us throughout Canada it was the official Verrall, Tim Gibbons, Al Burebeck, record breaking warmth, April was Mental Health Week. Aimed at in- Mike Williams and Nick Burson just sunny and cooler and May certainly creasing awareness around mental to name a few. has not disappointed weather-wise. health issues TVO’s the Agenda Hot sunny days have prevailed and dedicated the entire week to mental Other events included a Wellness many of us are in summer mode. health. The Schizophrenia Society of Recovery Action Plan info session, a Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are the Ontario hosted Peace of Minds lively discussion of Mental Health uniform of the day as we await the events and walks through-out the and the Media and we wound up the summer solstice on June 21. province and here at MHRC we week with live music in the drop-in. partnered with Good Shepherd for You will see in the newsletter some We’re already in the planning stages screening of Skyworks “Working great ideas of free and low cost for next year and MHRC would like to Life”. MHRC hosted an evening of things to do, how to beat the heat know what events you would like to “Music, Mirth and Mayhem” at and smog, and an announcement see and be involved in. Until then be Waltz in Jackson Square. What great about our boat cruise In August. cool and I wish you good mental fun it was to have 75 people show up health.

From the Editor The Rights Stuff Amanda Carey Published quarterly [email protected] by Mental Health Rights Coalition Editorial Policy Ah, Summer! To Another way I am active in summer is The Rights Stuff is published every three me it means fueled by the desire to be outside months by Mental Health Rights Coalition. getting outside to exercise and be more. I walk or bike to the places I Our purpose is to inform our membership and active but as the temperature climbs, need to go instead of taking the bus. partners in mental health and the community about issues and events which may be of the air quality can decline. It’s im- I will take my friend’s son and dog to interest. Included is a calendar of MHRC portant to know about this index and the park. My friends and I get togeth- events for the upcoming months. our city’s public health guidelines for er on the weekend for hikes, to climb The Rights Stuff is available to our members via mail and to others as requested via email exercising outdoors. See page 3 for the escarpment stairs and bike rides and on our web site at: information and also Terry Booth’s on the rail trail. It is a fun way to get www.mentalhealthrights.ca guidelines for an active summer. outside and enjoy the sunshine, The Rights Stuff welcomes submissions & while catching up on each other’s letters of 250 words or less. Be advised that Interestingly, I would rather run MHRC reserves the right to edit and/or when it is 6 degrees Celsius than 26 week and getting exercise without decline publication of any submissions. degrees. No, I would not have be- feeling like we’re exercising. Adding Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the lieved that either, just one year ago, activity, not just exercise, is an im- month previous to publication. before I started running. I saw the portant part of developing a healthy Printing dates are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. people running the boxing day 10 lifestyle. So is the variety we enjoy. Views and opinions expressed in this news- miler and thought they were gluttons Just remember the sunscreen and letter represent those of individual con- for punishment. water! tributors, and not necessarily of The Mental Health Rights Coalition.

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 2

Terry Booth you are Steps to Health or ‘Y’ mem- electrolyte type drinks, good old fash- Summer is a ber take advantage of your member- ioned water will keep us well hydrat- beautiful time of ship ed without adding sugars and other the year. Judging ☼ Start your activity slowly to let things that our bodies really don’t by our early, dry your body get used to exercising in need. spring this sum- the heat ☼ Be safe-if you feel thirsty, mer could be a ☼ Wear lightweight, light coloured tired, confused, dizzy, weak , have a ‘hot one’. It’s im- (the light colour reflects the sun and racing heartbeat, muscle cramps or portant to stay active during the helps to keep you cooler) and loose trouble seeing, STOP your exercise summer and not let the heat be an fitting clothing immediately, get to a cool place to excuse for turning into a couch pota- rest and drink water. Seek medical to. Health Canada and the Canadian ☼ Protect your skin from sun attention if you don’t start feeling Diabetes Association have set guide- burns-wear a hat and sunglasses, use better or are unable to get cooled lines that encourage adults to get at sun screen (remember to reapply reg- down quickly. You could have heat least 150 minutes of physical activity ularly), try to exercise in shaded are- exhaustion which can lead to heat each week. Consider the following as and stay out of the sun as much as stroke if not treated. quick safety tips to ensure that you possible ☼ Enjoy your summer…winter enjoy some fun in the sun activities. ☼ Keep hydrated-this is especially will be here before we know it! ☼ Plan activities during the cooler important if you have diabetes be- cause body fluid lost during perspira- times of day-morning or early even- Public health nurse, Terry Booth, ing when the sun is not so hot tion can actually cause your blood RNCDE, runs two diabetes education sugar to rise. Everyone should be ☼ Exercise indoors if you are able sure to drink plenty of fluids before, groups every month at MHRC. Terry is i.e. walk in an air conditioned mall, during and after activity. Most of us the Diabetes Educator for St. Joseph’s swim in an indoor community pool, if don’t need to drink costly energy or Hospital.

Member Recommends:  Healthy You

Hamilton family Health Team offers a 14 week pro- gram called “Healthy You Weight Management Pro- gram” This program is recommended by MHRC mem- One thing to keep in mind if you are exercising outside ber Cheryl Norton. She says, this summer is the air quality. The picture above is a visual representation of the scale used to measure air qual- “It is a comprehensive program to help people ity. become the weight they want to be. It has a number of facilitators, mostly dietitians. There is no cost. The Hamilton Public Health Services has created guidelines for the general population and at risk individuals who exercise benefits are tremendous.” at various air quality levels. See complete descriptions at The Healthy You program is a group weight manage- http://www.hamilton.ca/HealthandSocialServices/PublicHe ment approach that focuses on lifestyle changes that alth/AirQualityHealthIndexInfo.htm may help you reach and maintain a healthier body You can find what the current air quality index is at The weight or shape. Ministry of environment website http://www.hamiltonfht.ca/detail.aspx?menu=50&app=235&cat1=682&t http://www.airqualityontario.com/reports/forecast_today.cf =2&lk=no m and the weather network For information or referral contact the Hamilton Fami- http://www.theweathernetwork.com ly Health Team (905) 667-4862 EXT 315 Consult your doctor for advice for your specific circum- stances

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 3

Run through a sprinkler Check out a waterfall Poetry group at the library (cityofwaterfalls.ca) Knitting and Crochet clubs Check out the antiques, textiles (Hamilton Public Library) Rollerblade along and farmer’s market on Ottawa the beach front Street Throw around a ball or play path at Bayfront “catch” (Aug 10-12) or Confederation Ancaster Fairgrounds Gore Park Promenade Park Learn to fish at the Fishing Derby Backyard camping Walk your dog or a (Aug 11) neighbour’s dog Play at the park with kids or do a (Aug 17- park workout Sound of Music 19) festival (Burlington, June 14-17) Gage Park splash pad Locke St Festival (September) Get back to nature (walks) see People watch in Gore Park http://archive.rbg.ca/pages/events. (Sept 14-15) Computer Classes (Hamilton Pub- html Hike the lic Library) Reenactment of Battle of Stoney Watch the ducks and geese at Window shop Creek(June2-3)-200th anniversary Princess point (you may even see a of War Wednesdays at - lunch deer) concert Dundas International Buskerfest Have a water balloon fight (June 1-3) Baseball at the park Climb the escarpment stairs Family Fun days (June 2) Gage Book club Park Play a game of pickup football in (Hamilton Public the park Library) Throw around a Frisbee or try ultimate Frisbee Draw hopscotch, Gage Park green- jump rope, play house McMaster Museum of Art like a kid! Hamilton Public Library authors Open Streets Hamilton (June 24) Go to the beach at series Concession Street Fest (June 2) Burlington Beach- Check out the farmer’s market way Park Canada day picnic at Spencer and cooking demonstrations Gorge (www.myhamilton.ca) Picnic in the park Art Crawl (James St N, 2nd Fri- Canada day fireworks Bayfront Star gaze day night of the month) and Organize a flash mob (Free 1st Family Fun Day Courtcliff Park Friday night of the month and 2nd Visit the city’s churches (www.tucanada.org) July 28 floor every day) Turn trash into treasure with an Walk or bike the rail trail National Film Board Club “upcycled” craft project (Hamilton Public Library, various It’s Your Festival (June 29– July Clean up a park dates see www.hpl.ca) 2) Take the free trolley to Hamilton Take part in a community garden Go for a walk around your neigh- Waterfront bourhood, check out the local ar- Walk Bayfront park to Princess chitecture **some activities may have a nominal Point cost or require transportation. For exam- King William Art Walk Take nature photos ple, $1 for a drink at Whitehern, and the Y108 Rock n Roll Picnic (August, beaches in Hamilton and Burlington are to be announced) accessible by public transit.**

Check out these sites for more information: www.myhamilton.ca http://www.tourismhamilton.com/ http://ihearthamilton.tumblr.com/ www.downtownhamilton.org

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 4

Boat Cruise & Picnic

It’s that time of year again! Wednesdays At Steps to Health ...Time for our annual boat cruise and picnic at Bayfront park. Whitehern You may notice that Wii Fit is not Aug 16, 2012 featured in our summer calendars. Whitehern Historic During the summer, Steps to Boarding at 9:30 am, We depart at 10 am for a 1 House & Garden Health likes to take things out- hour cruise on the Queen. Bring your lunch and enjoy side, so check out the Steps to Enjoy a continental breakfast on the ship. the garden and all-you-can- Health calendar for activities like Lunch and fun and games on shore. drink tea or lemonade while baseball in the park, gardening Only $13.50 listening to live music. Lim- group and dog walking. ited tables and chairs pro- Register at MHRC now vided. $1.00 for tea or lem- For those interested in joining 20 Jackson St W Suite 206 onade. Free outdoor event. Steps to Health, your first step is Hamilton, ON Does not include museum to attend an information session. Phone 905-545-2525 tour. Dates are posted at Mental Health Rights Coalition. Call Natalie B at Wednesdays June 27- Steps to Health for more infor- August 29, 12-2 pm. mation. 905-528-3655

MHRC will be going once each month in the summer. See the calendar for dates.

Come Celebrate World Hepatitis Day in the Park On July 28, the Shelter Health Hep C Team, and other groups across Canada will unite with groups around the world to raise public awareness about Hepatitis B and C, two forms of life-threatening liver disease. One in 12 people worldwide are living with hepatitis B or C – including 600,000 Canadians. The problem is many don't even know it. They may have no obvious symptoms until serious liver damage has occurred. These are chronic, lifelong viral infections that can affect anyone from any walk of life.

Sure to be a fun family day! There will be FREE popcorn and refreshments, face painting for the children, Hepatitis resources and information and music. Everyone welcome! When? July 28, 2012 from 12:00-3:00PM Where? Bayfront Park 47 Discovery Drive on Pier 8 in the sun enclosure behind Williams Coffee Pub For more information please contact us at 905-776-0474 or Email us at [email protected]

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 5

Diamond Jubilee

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee alive or fictitious) and make marks 60 years of Queen Eliza- fascinators or crowns and de- beth’s reign. She took the throne sign your own personal crest. Feb 6, 1952 and celebrated her coronation June 2, 1953. The We will supply the headbands Jubilee is celebrated June 2-5 and fancy bits for the fascina- with various activities in Eng- tor, though you are welcome to land and the UK. People around any personal additions you the world will also join in the would like to bring. celebrations.

Walk to Gore Park to visit the MHRC will be holding a tea par- statue of Queen Victoria on ty June 4. 1:00 pm Dress as your June 6 with a coffee walk. favourite royal figure (historical,

Hepatitis C Peer Support Worker The Shelter Health Hep C Team is currently recruiting for the position of Hep C Peer Support Worker. The successful candidate must have lived experience with Hepatitis C. Peer support training will be provided by Mental Health Rights Coalition. The Peer Support Worker will engage other Hep C + individuals in a number of ways including: Hep C Peer Support Group facilitation & coordination, one on one peer support and mentoring.

Remuneration and hours to be determined. Interested applicants should contact: Frances Jewell Mental Health Rights Coalition 20 Jackson St. W Hamilton, ON L8P 1L2 905-545-2525 Fax: 905-545-0211

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 6

Job Posting: Summer Student 2012 Peer Worker In Training

Mental Health Rights Coalition seeks applications for Summer Student

Qualified applicants will meet the following criteria: Registered as a full time student during the preceding academic year. Registered to return to school on a full time basis during the next academic year. Has lived experience of mental illness/addiction. Has knowledge of consumer survivor initiatives and recovery based principles. Understands and embraces MHRC mission statement.

Job Description

The successful candidate will assist the Executive Director and other staff with administrative duties and will also assist in the day to day work of the drop-in. Duties may include research, report and grant writing, development and maintenance of file systems, statistical records, updating membership list and development of procedures manual. There will also be duties in the drop in which may include greeting and engaging members in planned daily activities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required. Good computer skills and experience with Microsoft Excel and Access is an asset. May provide support under the supervision of a certified peer support worker. A peer support worker can come from any field, as lived experience is the key. The job is related, but not limited, to the fields of social work and social services.

Time frame and commitment: Nine weeks from June 31st to August 31st, 30 hours per week. Rate of pay $12.25 per hour.

Vulnerable Sector Screening will be required No phone calls please

Please forward a cover letter, resume and three references no later than at June 8th 2012 at 5:00 pm to:

Frances V Jewell Executive Director Mental Health Rights Coalition of Hamilton 206A - 20 Jackson Street West Hamilton ON L8P 1L2 Fax (905) 545-0211 Email: [email protected]

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 7 Judy Hoover-CSI Niagara 905-732-4498 or Nancy Horne-Oak Centre 905-788-3010 Group dates: Monday, June 11 and Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Time: 8:30-4:30 pm, Lunch Provided Location: Canadian Mental Health Association 6760 Morrison Street, Suite 2 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6Z8 Open to mental health/addiction consumers

The notice above is a legally sanctioned advertisement and cannot be altered for any purpose. You could win your boat cruise and picnic free (Aug 16,2012). Return your coloured mandala to MHRC, 20 Jackson St W, by July 3, 2012 for your chance to win. Winner will be drawn random- ly from all entries. Name (please print): Phone number or email:

Sun Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat 1 2

Calendar Activities begin at 1 p.m. Current Events

unless otherwise stated.

Walking/Exercise activities are dependent on weather. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jubilee Tea Women’s Coffee Walk to Apples to Music Issues Group Gore Park Apples Game

details p5

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Movie Diabetes Skip-bo Karaoke Cards Education

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Birthday Party Crafts Air hockey Bingo Music

Crazy Eights Summer Solstice

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Karaoke Members 12pm Whitehern Dictionary game Board Games Meeting details p5

1pm Improv Workshop Mental Health Rights Coalition, 20 Jackson St W Suite 206 A, Hamilton ON, L8P 1L2 | Phone 905-545-2525 | fax 905-545-0211 | www.mentalhealthrights.ca

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 10

Sun Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Canada Day Women’s Issues Movie & Backgammon Observed group Manicures and Dominoes Apples to Apples gfame

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Air Hockey Diabetes 12pm Whitehern Coffee Walk Music Education Wednesday

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Current Events Crafts Karaoke Skip-bo 12pm Diabetes Education

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Happy Bingo Improv Members’ Music Birthday Workshop Meeting

Come enjoy a popsicle on us! 29 30 31 Karaoke Crafts Calendar Activities begin at 1 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Walking/Exercise activities are dependent on weather. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

Mental Health Rights Coalition, 20 Jackson St W Suite 206 A, Hamilton ON, L8P 1L2 | Phone 905-545-2525 | fax 905-545-0211 | www.mentalhealthrights.ca

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 11

Sun Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat Calendar Activities begin at 1 p.m. 1 2 3 4 unless otherwise stated. Apples to Apples Jenga Current Events Walking/Exercise activities are dependent game on weather. Please wear appro- priate shoes and clothing.

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Civic Holiday Women’s Board Games Movies Music Issues Group

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Air hockey Diabetes Karaoke 9am Boat Cruise 12pm Diabetes Education and Picnic education

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Euchre Crafts Improv Bingo Music Workshop

26 27 28 29 30 31 Birthday Party Karaoke Monopoly Deal Crazy Eights Members’ Scrabble Slam Meeting Card games

Mental Health Rights Coalition, 20 Jackson St W Suite 206 A, Hamilton ON, L8P 1L2 | Phone 905-545-2525 | fax 905-545-0211 | www.mentalhealthrights.ca

The Rights Stuff - Summer 2012 Page 12