Mental Health is for Everybody Mental Health is for Everybody
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Mental Health is for Everybody Mental Health is for Everybody
Healthy as can be! ... health news for people in Manitoba’s RHA Central 2005 Spring Edition with a focus on mental wellness “Healthy as can be” young people at La Verendrye School in Portage la Prairie gather smiles for Central Region. Mental Health is for Everybody S ay "mental health" and most people instantly think of mental illness. "There's no class for (mental health) in elementary school," said Pamela Zary, mental health worker in Portage la Prairie, "But it is the coping mechanisms you learn when you're young that carry you through your life." In order to have a healthy lifestyle, you have to have good coping skills. "You can't control what life throws at you, but you can control how you react," said Zary. Take one thing at a time, be realistic ("There was only one "Superman" and he was from a different world"), be flexible, and get physically healthy are good ways to have positive coping skills. Creating a healthy self-esteem is essential for good mental health. People with a healthy self-esteem tend to get sick less and deal with negative events more effectively. And a healthy body is a good start to a healthy mind. "If your body's not healthy, your mind won't be either," said Zary. "Healthy eating is part of it." Some people turn to food as a way of suppressing negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, loneliness and boredom. These people do not eat more, but they tend to eat more unhealthy foods. Although food can distract you from all of your emotions and life's problems, the distraction is temporary. The problems are still there when you finish eating and so is the guilt of overeating. Emotional eaters should consider a junkfood-free home and find healthier distractions like phoning a friend or going for a walk. "Ask yourself if this is real hunger or am I bored or emotional," said Zary. There is strong research evidence that exercise has a positive effect on mood. The healthier the body, the better the person can deal with stress. "It doesn't have to be a five-mile walk," she said. "Just take the dog for a walk or find an activity you really enjoy. The whole point is to have fun." People who try to buy their happiness will also end up in trouble. Like emotional eating, emotional spending is a temporary fix. Ask yourself, "If I buy this, will it make me happy tomorrow? Next week? Can I afford this? Why am I really buying this?" said Zary. To be mentally healthy, people need to find something meaningful in their life. "Coaching hockey, taking an art class, volunteering, finding something that makes your hands move and your eyes sparkle," suggested Zary. Healthy relationships are also a vital part of good mental health. Family and friends can act as a defense against life stress and being a part of a social network can help you deal with negative life events. "You're not necessarily leaning on someone, but you know someone's there to lean on," said Zary. A positive relationship has a balance between giving and taking. It is a good idea to limit the time you spend with people who demand too much of your time and people that make you feel inadequate. "In order to maintain sanity, limit contact with these types of people," said Zary. Mental health is all about creating a nice balance in your life. Contact Us: www.rha-central.mb.ca RHA Central Manitoba Inc. P.O. Box 243, 36 Centennaire Drive Southport, MB R0H 1N0 Tel.: 204 428 2000, 1 800 RHA 6509 Fax: 204 428 2020 Email: [email protected] HEALTHY AS CAN BE! RHA Central CEO - Wellness under pressure I t's a high-pressure job. As Chief Executive Officer of RHA Central, Neil Walker directs and oversees the activities of 3,200 employees serving an area with 98,000 people. The challenges are many. There is never enough capital funding to deal with the capital projects, be it beds or buildings. Ever the diplomat, Walker says the government is doing the best they can with the money they have, as is the RHA, but there needs to be a whole system change. "You can't have it both ways. There are pressures for tax reductions which may affect social programs. Health is one of those programs," said Walker. The job is huge: to design a system flexible enough to change with the times, to work with the community and staff for a sustainable health system, and to strike a balance between the direction of the community and the board of directors with the fiscal realities as dictated by Manitoba Health. So how does Neil Walker take care of his own mental wellness? It all begins with a passion for the work. "I really care about what I do," said Walker. "I want to work with the com- governance munity and staff structure, to be to develop a " f u t u r e sustainable focused" and to health system." determine what Walker has can be accomsurrounded plished in the himself with long run. A good people. He board that is said he is supwilling to parported by his ticipate in the senior managecommunity ment team as health assesswell as remarkment and listen able staff in the to the staff as Region. "When well as the comI see them intermunity makes acting with his job easier. clients, it gives W a l k e r me the energy knows he can't to continue just rely on the doing what I'm people around doing. I am him for his buoyed by the mental wellbepassion and ing. He takes commitment NEIL WALKER, CEO care of himself most staff have physically, as well as spiritually. An for their jobs." Walker said the Board of Directors early riser, he makes sure to get enough is also good for his mental health. He rest by going to sleep early, and he gets says they work hard to have a clear regular exercise. Diet is also essential. "I am very cognizant of what goes into my mouth. If I don't eat well, I don't feel well. I try to take care of myself overall." Walker is involved in his church and sits on the worship committee. "Even though sometimes I think I don't have time, once I get there and participate, it's a nice mental break. It gives my head a rest from what I'm doing the majority of the time." Taking a three-hour French class every Saturday morning was good educationally, but also mentally. "It forced me to think of nothing else but French, which was good for me on a Saturday morning when I would have gone to the office," he said. Family and friends also play a key role in the mental wellness of the CEO. "Even though my family is in Ontario and a lot of my friends live across the country, I know they are there for me when I need them," he said. "All the way through my life I have had people who believe in me," said Walker. "Now I have members of the [RHA] team that believe in me. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't be here." RHA Board gets grassroots perspective I t's one thing to sit at a board meeting, make a policy and ensure staff is following the policy. But board members get a whole new perspective when they sit in committee with staff and community members, including youth, to set goals and direction. Bob McKenzie and Joanne Roulette provided contributions on behalf of the RHA Central Board on the RHA's Children's Program Team. This team worked with staff members and the Community Health Assessment and also attended round tables with students to prepare a document, which was then presented to the Provincial Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures All-Party Task Force. Being part of the team was a good opportunity, said McKenzie. "It was a chance to get into the nuts and bolts of the system and to hear people talk about their work," he said. "People from all over the Region got together once a month to hammer out a plan to improve children's health in the Region." "When you get involved in the community, you get involved with the real health issues that people are dealing with." The result of the teamwork and community input was a document, which recommended, among other things, an increase in the availability of injury prevention programs. McKenzie said the number of farm accidents in the Region was one concern raised in the meetings. "These accidents are preventable," he said. More prevention programs were identified as a way of dealing with the issue. Another recommendation was to find ways to strengthen the ability of students to lead. For example, student diets can be improved by reducing the availability of sugar from the school drink machine and candy from the canteen. McKenzie said in discussion with students it was determined that children want to be involved in making these decisions and that when they are involved, change will happen. Another recommendation was to increase resources for better access to mental health services for children and youth in addition to programming on self-esteem, stress and depression. "These [prevention] areas are very poorly funded," said McKenzie. "We have to focus on acute care because the funding is not what it should be." The committee also recommended more emphasis on the health of the aboriginal population. "They have significantly poorer health," said McKenzie, adding the RHA is dealing with the issue by reaching out to the aboriginal community, speaking with chiefs and making joint decisions on how to address their health issues. McKenzie said it was also recognized that parents in general need more support in fostering the health and development of their children. Preschool screening has been noted as an important and successful program in the RHA and one that needs to be carried on in every community in the Region. McKenzie, who served on a hospital board prior to regionalization, said a regional board does not necessarily mean less community input into decision-making. "It's rewarding to see people from all over the Region putting their heads together and coming up with some good ideas that might not have been possible before." Board members Bob McKenzie and Joanne Roulette (left) and Debbie Iverson, Director of Regional Rehabilitation present to the provincial Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures All-Party Task Force. Nursing Education goes Rural A pilot project in RHA Central will see Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) graduate as Registered Nurses (RNs) 16 months after they begin training this May. And they won't have to leave their communities to go to school. "We want to successfully recruit nurses to our rural areas," said Human Resources Officer Cindy Joel. "If we train people rurally it means they will likely stay in the area they reside." Coordinated through Red River College, the Diploma Nursing Accelerated Program is a pilot project involving Portage la Prairie, Winkler and Dauphin. Eight seats have been awarded to each of these areas for LPNs who graduated in 1998 or later. "It's a good way to upgrade our nurses," said Joel, adding the seats were nearly all filled by the end of www.rha-central.mb.ca 2 March. The classes will be "videostreamed." Students will watch instructors on a large screen from their sites and be able to communicate with the instructors via high-speed internet connections. As well, a nurse educator will be on hand at each of the three sites for assistance. "It will be like sitting in a live class," said Joel. "A live learning experience is much easier than self-learning." Taking LPNs out of the RHA facilities for 16 months will create a challenge, but Joel expects graduates of the rotating LPN program will fill the void created by studying nurses. In the future, this pilot project could be expanded to meet the need for personnel in other high demand professions such as diagnostics. CHILDREN Children’s Therapy Initiative changing the way we do business "It takes a village to raise a child." Nobody knows this more than John and Sharon Klassen, whose son Nicholas has Spastic Cerebral Palsy. With strong support from his family, friends and professionals, Nicholas undergoes various forms of therapy many hours a week. Although Nicholas is fortunate to be surrounded with the strength and love of his parents, the journey is by no means effortless. Sharon shares that, at times, there is difficulty in knowing where to turn, to knowing how to access what service and from whom. Access can be confusing with unfortunate duplication and gaps from one system to the other. With Children's Health earmarked as a priority, the RHA Central saw an opportunity to make a difference by partnering in an initiative to "change the way we do business." This change in approach was formalized on February 22, 2005 when the Honorable Christine Melnick, Minister of Family Services and Housing and Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities, attended a special event to launch the Children's Therapy Initiative (CTI) in Central Region. The announcement came with additional provincial funding of $64,000 for therapy services including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech language therapy and audiology services for children. In 1999, a Provincial Pediatric Therapy Working Committee was struck with a mandate to enhance The Central Region Children's Therapy Initiative (CTI) Committee has adopted the emblem of the snowflake to identify the provincial CTI. The snowflake is a metaphor for the uniqueness of all children, families, and communities. Like snowflakes, services reflect unique regional needs. Each snowflake merges into a system that draws upon Manitoba's diversity, strength, and creativity. Watch for more information regarding referral sources as the CTI in Central Region begins to implement and shape "a new way of working together." the coordination, access and equity of therapy services for children and their families. This initiative became known as the Children's Therapy Initiative. In 2002, the provincial committee extended an invitation across the province to develop a demonstration project for the delivery of regionally-based services. Various sectors involved in providing therapy services for children within Central Region joined to form an intersectoral team. The team in Central Region worked diligently to develop a submission that would identify potential solutions to challenges in providing therapy services for children. They proposed more effective coordination of service Neil Walker (RHA Central CEO), Honorable Christine Melnick (Minister of Family Services and Housing and Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities), Sharon Klassen (representing families), Debbie Iverson (representing the CTI Team) and Gloria Penner (representing education sector). ment and passion of the CTI Central Region Committee comes from knowing that as we share our learning with others, we are making a difference for the children and their families in the Region and beyond. "As an intersectoral team, we have already gained a greater understanding of each others' delivery and increased funding for additional services. Central Region was one of four proposals accepted from a total of 13 submissions. Debbie Iverson, Director of Regional Rehabilitation in Central Region, is a member of the steering committee that got this initiative underway. She says the commit- programs," she said. "It gives us greater capacity to work together to coordinate our services and resources." Iverson adds that the initiative has been made possible through the contributions of time and resources of the many agencies involved in the CTI in Central Region. Healthy growth and Demystifying ADHD... N ot all kids with bad behavior are bad kids and not all parents with bad kids are bad parents. Dr. Barbara Comte, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist in Central Region, wants that message to come out loud and clear. All too often, she said, parents get blamed for behaviors their children display when they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Three to five per cent of children have the disorder and as many as 75 per cent of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children have ADHD. ADHD children that are not treated have twice the incidence of learning disabilities and also have higher incidence of substance abuse. Comte said it is generally assumed that children with ADHD have serious emotional problems. "They usually don't. If treated early and given family support, these children function well in their environments." There are three types of ADHD. Children may demonstrate primarily inattention (inattentive type), primarily hyperactivity and impulsivity (hyperactive and impulsive type) or both (combined type). The combined type is the most common. Children with ADHD have trouble focusing and are generally inattentive. Females with ADHD are often not diagnosed because they don't usually create problems in the classroom or at home. Girls tend to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, inattentive type (commonly known as ADD). These children often look as if they are daydreaming. ADHD, combined type is more prominent in boys than in girls. DR. BARBARA COMTE Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist "What people see is bad behavior," said Comte. "We need to help the community understand that these aren't necessarily bad parents." Children with ADHD need structure, and lots of it. They need clear, direct, concrete and specific communication. For example, said Comte, you can't tell an ADHD child to "clean up your room." You need to say: "Pick up your clothes, make your bed and vacuum the floor." Even telling him to pick up the laundry can be difficult because on the way to the laundry room, he might see the television is on. He is quickly distracted and will sit down to watch the TV, completely forgetting about the laundry. Good structure and routine will go a long way to helping ADHD children. "ADHD kids are often bossy or controlling. The social piece is really important both at home and at school. It's not just about 3 development in the early years is the foundation for an individual's overall health and wellbeing. The Children's Therapy Initiative will help ensure children receive the best care possible to be "AS HEALTHY AS CAN BE". ★★★ The Central Region intersectoral team included regional representatives from School Divisions, Family Services and Housing, Child Daycare, Healthy Child Coalition, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, the Rehab Centre for Children and RHA Central. whether or not the kid can do their homework, but whether they can remember to meet their friend at the park," she said. Support and understanding is of utmost importance. Parents of ADHD children * Children treated with stimare often reluctant to take ulant medication will become them out in public for fear addicted to it and are more they will be labeled as bad likely to abuse other drugs. parents with bad kids. Children treated for ADHD are "People are not part of the less likely to develop substance community when they have use disorders. bad kids," she said. "They get * There is no data which to the point where they won't indicates that addiction to stimtake their kid to the pool or ulant medication is a problem or the store." that children treated with stimuIf the structure and routine lants are more likely to abuse are there, but the child is still other substances. not doing well, he or she may * Stimulant medication require a professional psychistunts growth. The available litatric assessment and medicaerature indicates that ultimate tion. Most of the medications height appears to be unaffected for ADHD usually work well if treatment is discontinued in and quickly. adolescence. However, there Comte said it is also have been no studies of growth important to remember that a in children treated continually child needs to be treated for from childhood into young the entire day and the entire adulthood so caution here is week, not just while they are warranted. in school. A disorder is "on" * Stimulant medication all the time. A child should works by turning children into feel like one of the other kids "zombies". Some children do all the time. This ensures become sluggish and withdrawn good self-esteem and longwhen on medication, but these term success in life. About symptoms generally indicate two-thirds of children outthat the dose is too high, or that grow their symptoms by the a co-existing condition such as time they are 18 years old. a mood problem has not been The remaining third become identified. adults with ADHD, experi* Studies have shown an encing a range in severity of increase in prosocial behavior symptoms. in ADHD children treated with Support groups and edustimulants, which would not be cation can go a long way in the case if it simply turned chilcreating understanding and a dren into "zombies". better life for ADHD children and their families. COMMON MYTHS: MENTAL WELLNESS Mental Health R esearchers in the health care field declared the 1980s as the decade of the brain. Well, here we are in a new century, and although we know more about the brain, there is still much we don't know. Fortunately, people are becoming more aware of the need to attend to their mental wellness. Researchers are making progress, and those of us working in the mental health system continue to strive to help people maintain mental wellness or recover from a mental illness. Jan-Marie Graham, Program Leader for Mental Health & Palliative Care in Central Region says the RHA is trying Connecting with the continuum of care to strengthen the "continuum of care" for mental health so that we can support people with varying degrees of need. The continuum begins with those things we all can do to maintain our physical and mental wellbeing. We talk out and resolve issues around the kitchen table or while out on a walk with a friend. We listen to music, have time alone, read books, do pottery, ride a bike, or just spend time with people we love. Then there are our friends, neighbours, and family. Most of us will get through the highs and lows in our lives just with the help, caring, and support that comes from having good people around us. "Everyday, we access support within our immediate surroundings without even realizing it", adds Graham. "Often JAN-MARIE GRAHAM, Program Leader — Mental Health & Palliative Care THE CONTINUUM OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS Those people who are, for the most part, well, but may be experiencing some stress, anxiety or depression due to difficulties with relationships, parenting, family, etc., are often referred to as “the worried well”. These folks are able to maintain a job or go to school, in spite of their worries or troubles. These people will likely not need the help of a Mental Health professional to get through the tough times. Natural Support (Nonprofessional) (e.g. Family, Friends, & Neighbors) Those people who have serious mental illness often find that their lives are taken over by their illness. They may find that their jobs (if they are even able to work), relationships, schooling, and housing become jeopardized due to illness. They often feel that their illness has taken over their lives. These people will usually need the help of a Family Physician and/or Mental Health professional to recover from their mental illness. Community Mental Health Workers Psychiatrists Inpatient/Hospital Care Self-Help (e.g. ADAM, MSS, MDAM, CMHA, WellConnected, Farm Crisis Line, Teen Touch, etc.) Natural Support professionals) (e.g. Teachers, Clergy, Public Health Nurses, etc.) • • • ADAM is the Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba MSS is the Manitoba Society for Schizophrenia MDAM is the Mood Disorder Association of Manitoba • • CMHA is the Canadian Mental Health Association Well-Connected works with people who have eating disorders People all long the continuum have access to family physicians, hospital emergency rooms, mental health crisis services and Karen Devine Safe House. taken for granted, many times this support is all we need to get us through." And somewhere in the middle are other supports, such as teachers, spiritual leaders, nurses, or home care staff. These people don't work in the field of mental health but they are valuable helpers in our communities. We have excellent self-help organizations in the Region that raise awareness of mental health issues and provide support and information to individuals and family members. These organizations include Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba, Manitoba Society of Schizophrenia, Canadian Mental Health Association, and WellConnected. Further along the continuum is the formal mental health care system. Some of us may at some time need the help of a community mental health worker. Community mental health workers provide support to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout the Region. They provide supportive counselling and education to people with a serious mental illness like major depression or an anxiety disorder. One of the resources available to the community mental health worker is a consultant psychiatrist. While the psychiatrists do not see people on an ongoing basis, they provide management suggestions and may recommend medications as needed. As part of the continuum, we have access to inpatient beds at Eden Mental Health Centre. Professional caregivers such as psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists provide expert care to those people requiring intensive therapy and treatment. Although not many of us will need this level of care, it is an important part of the continuum. Although there continues to be a great deal of stigma about mental illness, people are becoming more aware of the need to attend to their mental wellness. The general public is starting to pay attention to the connection between physical, spiritual, and mental wellbeing. Recovering from Mental Illness D on Boddy knew he was in trouble. He just didn't understand what, exactly, the trouble was and he certainly didn't know where this trouble would take him. "I began getting ill in the spring of 1999," said Don. "I began feeling overwhelmed with everything." Don was a pastor, working full time ministering to others. What started as a feeling of being overwhelmed went "downhill," he said. "There were simple tasks that I could no longer do." He couldn't eat or sleep and was crying "all the time" and having six to eight-hour panic attacks. Don found a good doctor and started taking medication for his depression. The pills didn't work at first, he said, and the side effects took their toll. He had frequent headaches and was shaking constantly. Don checked in and out of hospital and the local emergency room in Portage la Prairie. He was on 15 or 16 different medications - some for depression and some for the side effects. "I started to say no," he said. "I was walking around in a lithium fog with my address and phone number in my pocket because I had no short-term memory." The church where he had been pastor for only a year was good to him, and tried to understand, but eventually he lost his Don Boddy's story job. His wife and health counselor. Don daughter left him. had no intention of folIn December of lowing through with 1999, Don was admitthat one. However, as it ted to the Eden Mental turned out, the mental Health facility in health counselor was Winkler, the only acute "truly a lifesaver." care psychiatric unit in "She helped me to the RHA Central. understand things and He was there for empowered me to live. two months, getting his She said I had to medications regulated relearn to live." and working towards The following mental wellness. The spring, Don came as best part about being in close as he ever had to the facility was meettaking his life. ing people like himself, "I had everything said Don. ready to do it, but I "There were other decided to go for a people there who were walk instead. I ended living full lives at one up in hospital in DON BODDY time and then life just Portage la Prairie and got to them...we began to share and to get back at Eden a couple of days later." He hope from each other." remained at Eden for three weeks. After he left Eden, Don was made After about a year, Don started to get aware of other resources available for him hope that he could go forward with his in his community. As a condition of his life. Fortunate to have a disability penrelease he had to agree to a plan, which sion, Don worked with his counselor, kept included weekly visits with a mental a journal, walked and learned what it 4 would mean for him to be healthy. He began to heal. He volunteered at the local learning centre for a year before coming on staff. Today he is medication free, employed full time, and back with his family. He can't do some of the things he used to do, like preach, or speak in public. But he has learned how to feel sadness and stress, and to know it doesn't necessarily mean going back into depression. "Now I am healthier than I have ever been because of the work I've done. It is still a struggle, but life is easier. I am kinder and more easy-going than I used to be," said Don. When he was ill, people didn't know how to act around Don. "There is no doubt it seemed to be contagious," he said. But worse than how other people treated him was how Don treated himself. "There's a stigma we place on ourselves," he said. "I had to work hard to build a new image and know I could still do things even though I didn't believe I could." Don, always willing to share his story, said people are amazed to learn he has struggled with mental illness. He gets calls from people he doesn't know who want to talk about their own struggles. He enjoys this informal mentorship and always tries to inform people about the community resources available to them. MENTAL WELLNESS A dam was the perfect child, born to loving, committed, middle class parents. He had huge brown eyes and long eyelashes. He was a bright boy, speaking at the age of 17 months. The oldest of three boys, Adam grew to be an A+ student with lots of friends and a fantastic sense of humor. He was a people magnet. It seemed he would do well and go far. But on November 1, 1999, at the tender age of 19, Adam took his own life. Marlene Potash is Adam's mom. She still laughs when she describes her eldest son popping his yellow soother out of his mouth so he could talk in perfect sentences. "He had the biggest, brownest eyes and the longest eyelashes," she said. "He was bright, always bright." But Adam wasn't always bright. Not inside. His parents learned, after he died, that he had been depressed since he was eight years old. But nobody knew. Nobody in his large group of friends or loving family imagined that Adam was anything but happy and content. "We had no idea he was suffering from depression," said Potash. "Mental illness is not something we're told to be aware of." But Potash is out to change that. As one of the founders of SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness and Knowledge), Potash speaks to school groups and adults to debunk the myths around suicide. It was August 26, 1999 and Potash was with her son in a Winnipeg hospital emergency room. He appeared to be hallucinating and she suspected he had taken some bad drugs at a party the night before. Then Adam confessed. "He said, 'Mom, I tried to kill myself last night,'" said Potash. And her world came crashing down. All her beliefs crumbled around her as Potash wondered in disbelief how this could be happening to her family. The beginning of a frustrating journey into an inadequate mental health system began. Adam didn't die that day. He was admitted to hospital for three weeks and then was sent home to his family. He saw a family doctor with "an interest" in mental health and, at the insistence of his parents, a hospital psychiatrist who spent about 15 minutes a week with Adam. When his parents suggested he could get better care elsewhere, he refused to see someone new. Potash said the present system Adam’s story is a "crisis response system" with little or no preventative measures. She said there needs to be a standardization of protocol in mental health, and that other departments of government, such as Education, also need to become involved with mental health issues. Adam was released from hospital with a low dose of medication and deemed "high risk for reattempting suicide." Potash said as parents, they just believed Adam wouldn't kill himself because he had a family that loved him so much. As a trained social worker, Potash thought she'd know if Adam was suicidal again. She believed because Adam was in the care of "professionals" he would be OK. But he wasn't OK. Potash asked her son why he was so sad, why he was depressed. "He said he wished he was depressed, because then he would feel something. He had been compassionate, loving, with a zest for life. Now he felt nothing and it scared the life out of him. And on November 1, 1999, Adam ended that life. It is not only her son's experience that has taught Potash about the myths of depression and "the Suicide Myths vs. Facts Myth: Depression isn't really an illness. Fact: The brain is an organ of the body that can get sick just like the heart, liver or kidneys. Chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, regulate how people think, feel and act. The brain can get sick if these chemicals are out of balance or get disrupted, and the illness called clinical depression can result. Fact: Depression can be effectively treated in 90% of the cases with a combination of medication and therapy. Unfortunately, only 1 in 3 people with depression will get help. Myth: Suicides usually happen without warning. Fact: Studies show that about 80% of people who attempt or complete suicide will either hint at it or directly tell a friend or relative about plans for suicide. Myth: All people who have depression appear to be sad. Fact: There are many different symptoms associated with depression; sadness is only one of them. Some people have chronic anger, worry, panic or anxiety. Many hide their feelings of despair and smile to mask their pain. Myth: You should keep quiet about a suicide plan, if someone asks you to keep a secret. Fact: Never keep a suicide plan a secret. When young people are concerned about a friend or relative, they should tell an adult. Adults who are concerned about a friend or a family member should build a support system and guide the person to a medical professional for a depression evaluation and suicide assessment. Myth: People with depression are weak and should be able to help themselves out of it. Fact: Depression doesn't have anything to do with a person's character or willpower. It is an illness that people can't talk themselves out of, just like people can't talk themselves out of having diabetes or heart disease. Treatment is the best way to stop depression. If you feel that you are suffering from depression and have thoughts of suicide, contact your local physician/health professional or contact: Suicide Prevention Education Awareness Knowledge (SPEAK): 1-204-831-3610 Suicide Prevention Centre: 1-888-322-3019 Myth: Most people with depression can't be helped. Addictions AA/Al-Anon Family Groups/Gamblers Anonymous ..........................1-800-463-1554 Addictions Foundation of Manitoba..........................Portage 857-8353 .........................................Morden 822-1296 Narcotics Anonymous .....................981-1730 Children & Teens Child & Family Services ...Portage 857-8751 .........................................Morden 822-7403 Children's Advocate Office ...1-800-432-1957 Facts of Life Line .................1-800-263-5545 Kids Help Phone..................1-800-668-6868 Teen Touch...........................1-800-563-8336 Family & Parenting Family Resource Centres Altona........................................324-2712 Carman......................................745-5571 Langruth ...................................445-2295 Miami........................................435-2725 Morden .....................................822-4448 Morris .......................................746-6675 Portage .....................................239-6333 Mental Health - Supports & Resources Manitoba Farm & Rural Stress Line .................1-866-367-3276 Mon.-Sat. 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Mental Health Intake Service .............................Portage 239-3000 ..............................Toll Free 1-888-310-4593 Eden Mental Health Centre...............................Winkler 325-4325 Karen Devine Safe House.......................Portage 239-5332 Mobile Crisis Unit (after 4:30 pm & weekends only)................Portage 857-6369 .........................................Winkler 325-9700 Well-Connected..............................325-4325 Winkler ......................................269-1502 Family Services ................Portage 239-3092 ...............................Morden 822-4496 For the Sake of the Children ................................1-800-230-1885 Mothers-at-risk......................1-416-813-6780 Mother's First Help Line................947-3472 Parent Help Line ..................1-888-603-9100 Grief & Bereavement Compassionate Friends/ Bereaved Parents...........................243-2169 Mental Health and Wellness Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba ......................Winkler 325-1385 Canadian Mental Health Association.......................Portage 239-6590 Manitoba Schizophrenia Society..............................Winkler 362-3027 Mood Disorders................Winkler 325-8206 Private Counselling Services Central Plains Marriage & Family Counselling....................................857-7654 Pembina Counselling Services ......822-6622 Prairie Therapy Service .................239-4379 R&R Counselling............................857-6598 5 system." Since Adam died, Potash has tried several times to take her own life. "I didn't want to die. I just wanted to go to sleep for a couple of months. My shoulders hurt. My heart hurt. I didn't want to get out of bed." So Potash swallowed all the medications she could find in the house. "What was I thinking? My husband and kids were home. I knew what suicide would do to them. I wasn't going to sleep for a couple of months. I was going to be dead," she said. Potash spent the night in hospital. In the morning, a psychiatrist asked if she wanted to be admitted to the Psych ward. "That was my assessment and treatment and discharge plan," she said. It's been a year since her last attempt. Potash knows there are no easy solutions, no magic answers. She is on medications now, seeing a psychiatrist for therapy, and working hard to educate people about suicide and suicide prevention, to teach them that suicide comes from depression and that depression is a disease. She tells Adam's story and the story of her family in the hopes of informing and educating the public about the link between depression and suicide. "It's important to talk about it and to take the stigma out. Suicide isn't contagious," she tells people, "But it is the end result of an untreated mental illness. Let's work together and make a change for the better. Let's figure out what to do about it." Recovery of Hope Altona .......................................324-5676 Portage .....................................239-5008 Winkler .....................................325-5355 South Central Counselling.............745-3359 Turning Point Counselling .............239-6763 Suicide SPEAK.............................Winnipeg 831-3610 Suicide Prevention Centre....1-888-322-3019 Women Battered Women's Crisis Line ............................1-800-362-3344 Crisis Pregnancy Centre ...Winkler 325-9700 Sexual Assault Crisis............1-800-977-0007 Sexual Assault Line .............1-800-292-7565 Women's Shelter....Portage 1-800-704-4904 ................................Winkler 1-800-340-3331 Health Links .........................1-888-315-2957 There may also be other resources and supports available in your community. Contact your local health centre or your family physician for more information. MENTAL WELLNESS RHA Services available through Eden Mental Health Centre I t's an example of community action at its best. The Eden Mental Health Centre in Winkler has a service purchase agreement with the Regional Health Authority (RHA), meaning the RHA buys services from the Centre. However, the reality is that the Centre also operates outside of and continues to operate with its own governance system. "There's obvious value because of Eden's being connected with the community," said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eckhard Goerz. "In many ways, the community owns us." This ownership has been built over the 38-year history of the facility with community members sitting on the board of directors, involved with fundraising and helping to shape programs over the years. "In that sense it is a reflection of the community," said Goerz. Over the years, that community has been predominantly Mennonite. One of the things the Mennonite community has been good at historically, said Goerz, is in providing services to the vulnerable in their midst not unlike other faith based communities. Since regionalization took place, "Eden has become the regional Although there is a acute inpatient facility perception that Eden the region's only spedelivers religious theracialist mental health py, Goerz said the clinitreatment facility. cal services provided However, it is also a are recognized as profaith-based Centre with fessionally appropriate provincial Mennonite and meeting all clinical church ownership. standards and spiritual Funding received from care is increasingly recthese community donor ognized as a legitimate sources is directed to component of care programs not funded across the Region. fully by the RHA . "We are as inclusive Goerz said although as anywhere else in the Eden is still seen by Region," he said. people in the Region as Goerz said Eden has church-based, the Eden a comprehensive array programs are fully of services including: inclusive to all citizens “Recovery of Hope”, whether funded by the which provides individRHA or by private ual, family and marECKHARD GOERZ, CEO donors. riage counseling on an Eden Health Care Services "We serve people of income based fee-forall or no belief affiliations," he said, adding, service basis; Linden Place, a transitional "In many ways we are very well-situated to house as well as some integrated apartment work with people where their faith comes buildings; community mental health servicto bear in their mental illness." es for adults and seniors living in the com- munity; and prevention. James Friesen, Director of Development at Eden, confirms the continuum. "One of the best things we can expect is if our family systems and natural supports in the community allow us to continue life in a good fashion. When that fails we may intervene in their lives for awhile, but not necessarily long-term," he said. "The nature of mental illness is that it can become complicated quite quickly," he said, adding that mentally ill people also have obstacles of public perception and stigmas to deal with. Eden is also working to increase the time psychiatrists consult with family doctors. The program, called "shared care," reflects the reality that it is usually the primary physician that provides mental health care. "We're building a system of capacity at the primary care level," said Goerz. "It only makes sense to give them this support. We see people for a short period of time, but when the crisis is over, they go back to their community and health care providers there. It is the most effective way of delivering services using scarce resources." Mental Health in Central Region: Facts & Stats* Eden Mental Health Centre - # of beds - admissions - average length of stay 40 147 49 days # of Crisis Calls 443 # of Persons Receiving Proctor Service 55/year # of Bed Stays in Safe House 609 # of Child & Adolescent Cases Open (from January - December, 2004) 287 # of Adult Cases Open (from January - December, 2004) 334 Portage drop-in offers peer support * April, 2004 - January, 2005 The Eden Foundation presents... what you've been he door's through. Someopen and the times we just need coffee is on. somebody to listen It's a place where to us for a minute." people can go if The drop-in they need a listenoperates an activity ing ear or a help to program as well as figure out what to peer support. do next. Activities range The CMHA from movie days to (Canadian Mental games at the legion Health Associato bingo to tours of tion) has a drop-in the local fire hall. centre in Portage la Events are free or at Prairie, which is minimal cost to open to the public participants. every weekday Miness said from 9:00 a.m. to there are between 3:00 p.m. 15 and 20 people at "We're never the centre every going to turn day. Staff supports someone away," LEISA MINESS the resilience and said housing coorPortage Drop-In recovery of people dinator Leisa Housing Coordinator with mental illMiness. "It's a community resource for anybody with ness, offering advocacy, education, research and supportive services. Jobs mental health issues." And most people do have mental are posted on the door as well as reasonably priced housing. health issues at one time or another. "We try to figure out what people "Ninety per cent of the population has suffered depression, stress or are looking for and to point them in the grief," said Miness. "We welcome right direction," said Miness. "We're aiming for a healthy compeople with mild to moderate depression as well as people with severe munity. People are misled when they see CMHA and think mental illness, mental health issues." "We're not counselors," she said, not mental health." "Just somebody who's been through T Two fun golf events to choose from... For bicycling enthusiasts... The Eden Foundation together with Big Brothers & Big Sisters is hosting its 13th annual Charity Golf Event, Sunday, June 12th starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Winkler Golf Course ★★★ "IronMan" Golf Marathon, Thursday July 14th at Winkler Golf Course "Head for the Hills" biking fundraiser. Ride 40 kms. of the Trans Canada Trail from Lake Minnewasta to the US border, Saturday, Sept. 10th. Highest pledge raiser wins a new bike. For more information on any of the above events, call Eden Foundation at 204325-5355 or visit www.edenhealth.mb.ca Bring your favourite caddy, raise pledges for Eden Health Care Services mental health recovery programs and compete in playing 100 holes of golf. 6 SENIORS uncertain," said Lois. "Especially when you have a diagnosis that is inoperable, incurable, but treatable. Every time Robert thinks his abdomen is filling up, we wonder what's going on. When he has too much time to think, he wonders what the future will be like. Will it get worse? At what point do we stop treatment? Sometimes there's a lot of chatting going on at 2 a.m." The couple receives offers of practical support, such as rides to the hospital, as well as emotional and spiritual guidance from their family, community and church. They are also involved with the South Central Cancer Resource in Morden and have the support of the regional palliative care program. "Just having someone ask 'how are you doing?' makes us feel supported," said Lois. Living with Cancer Robert Creith and his wife Lois. "It's tough." That could be considered quite an understatement to those wondering how people cope with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Robert Creith was 69 when a routine colonoscopy, followed by an ultrasound, showed spots on his liver. It was determined that he had terminal liver cancer. His condition was inoperable, but treatable with chemotherapy. Robert was told he likely had only 18 months to live. That was in early January of 2003. Today, Robert continues chemotherapy, lives a quiet, but meaningful life and has a positive outlook. "My heart is good, my lungs are good, and nothing else is wrong except for the 'time bomb' in my belly," he said, referring to lesions which could start to bleed anytime. Robert's wife Lois said a good support system has kept them going through the months since the diagnosis. "We have support from family, extended family, friends, and neighbours, as well as from our church family and the staff at Boundary Trails Chemo Unit," she said. After the diagnosis, Robert and Lois had some immediate and difficult decisions to make. They had lived on a half section farm south of La Rivière for 49 years. Although retired from his job as manager of the La Rivière Credit Union and renting out the farmland, Robert was still helping with combining and actively involved in the community. "We had been talking about moving," said Lois, "But this brought it to a head. Decisions had to be made quickly." The number one consideration was Robert's health. A close second was how Lois would be "taken care of" in the years to come. With the help of family and friends, the couple moved 20 miles down the road to the town of Manitou. This would also bring them closer to Boundary Trails Health Centre where Robert's frequent treatments take place. "It's only about a 40-minute drive," said Lois. This distance might seem daunting to people not accustomed to country living. But the drive is well worth it for the quality care the Creiths get in the cancer unit at Boundary Trails. "I cannot say enough about the caring reception in the chemo room in Boundary Trails," said Lois. On chemotherapy days, the Creiths spend their day between departments in the hospital. But most of their time is spent at home in Manitou, where Lois is Robert's main caregiver. Together, they face the future. "It's OK as long as you have a goal in sight," said Lois. "You have to have a goal to look forward to." These goals have included Robert's 70th birthday celebration, Christmas, New Years and a visit from a niece living in Sweden. Even something as simple as a lunch date becomes an event to anticipate. The Creiths are now looking forward to their 50th wedding anniversary in August. But sometimes the days and the nights are long. "The future is Contacts: If you or a loved one need help, support or services related to cancer, contact: - Central Plains Cancer Services (Gladstone, MacGregor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Portage la Prairie, St. Claude, Swan Lake) Tel. 1-204-857-6100 - South Central Cancer Care Services (Carman, Crystal City, Emerson, Morden, Morris, Pilot Mound) Tel. 1-204-822-9541 - Palliative Care Coordinators of Volunteers, Central Region Altona ...........................324-2724 Boundary Trails Health Centre ................331-8909 Carman .....745-2021 or 745-6715 Gladstone .385-2968 or 385-3174 MacGregor ...................685-2746 Morris/Emerson ............746-2301 .......or 373-2109 Notre Dame...................248-2112 ..............or 248-2092 Pembina/Manitou ..........242-2744 Pilot Mound/Crystal City................................873-2132 Portage la Prairie...........857-3746 St. Claude......................379-2519 Swan Lake .................. 836-2132 Take as directed M edications represent a valuable tool in preserving your future, yet many fail to get the full benefit of their medication because they do not take them as directed. Many hospital and emergency room visits can be traced back to a failure to take medication properly. It is estimated that 50% of chronically ill older adults do take medications as directed. It can be difficult to remember to take medication particularly if you have to take a number of pills. Often, medication is given to prevent illness and you need to take the medication when you don't feel sick. Continuing your medication is one of the most important steps you can take to stay well. Here are a few tips that may help you remember to take your medication: * Take your medication at the same time everyday - so it becomes a habit like brushing your teeth. * Use a medication organizer (dosette box) to arrange your pills. * Put a note on the coffee maker or bathroom mirror to remind you to take your pills. * Use an alarm clock or watch alarm as a reminder. * Computer calendars can be used to schedule a "Take Pills" task. * Have a family member remind you to take the medication. Remember to discuss your success and failure in taking your medication honestly with your pharmacist and your doctor. It is your health so take an active role in staying healthy and use medication as directed. The RHA — Central Manitoba Inc. in partnership with the communities of Swan Lake First Nation, RM of Lorne & Village of Somerset hosted the 7th Annual Healthy Communities Conference on April 22, 2005. The conference’s theme was: “I Can, You Can, We Can, Do Anything!” Speaker Terry Kelly used personal anecdotes peppered with humor, songs, stories and audience participation to encourage individuals to develop their own values and strategies for living and working happily and healthily. 7 MEN/WOMEN/COMMUNITY T he general public of health nurse, took a mini Central Region has community health fair to the access to all kinds of Rosevalley Colony. "If we medical information and want everyone in our resources. There are televi- Region to be AS HEALTHY AS sion campaigns, radio ads, CAN BE, we have to respect internet access, health fairs the uniqueness of their culand conferences. But what ture," she said. The colonies about some of the more con- do not attend functions like ventional populations in the the community health fairs, region? How do people that so the health fair went to have shunned some of the them. "They appreciated it. It technical inventions of the last decades get informed on gave them a good idea of the health care resources, inno- resources in the communivations and prevention tech- ty," said Mooney. The mini fair was modniques? Supported by the Lorne eled after the Carman Memorial Hospital Health Fair which was held Foundation and a facilitator, in conjunction with the flu Kristal McKitrick-Bazin, clinic. The Carman Fair Community Integrated included blood pressure, Health Services Leader blood sugar, cholesterol and checks. (Swan Lake) helped organ- osteoporosis ize a focus group at two Businesses were invited to Hutterite colonies in the bring exercise equipment, area to discuss their health reflexology, foot care and care needs. Windy Bay and massage to the fair. A big hit Valley View colonies were was the hand washing represented by 72 members, machine which generates a ranging in age from 15 to lot of conversation for people who think they do a 72. The common good job of washing their theme, said McKitrick- hands. Mooney said she didn't Bazin, was "What is out there and how can bring all these booths to the colony, but managed a good we access it?" clients make a plan for future treatment. They make sup"They want educa- representation of resources ported choices based on their needs and issues regarding tion. They want to available in the Region. steps of recovery, peer support, and medical services. "The colonies are unique. learn more about "On average, people come in for one to five days, We have to respect that and health and more about work through it, and get back to the community," said make sure they get equal our services, as well as Crawford. care," she said. "My hope is prevention," she said. Natural support systems are encouraged, including to do this in all the colonies To that end, Susan visits from family members and their participation in care Mooney, community in our area." planning. "We need an integrated service for the client so everybody is on the same page." Crawford said Karen Devine House always has at least one client. "Never a day goes by that somebody isn't here. I can't remember the last time nobody was here," she said. "This is the only safe house [for the mentally ill] in Central." The safe house works closely with the local Community Mental Health Association (CMHA) which Well-Connected is a charitable organization that helps maintain independence, housing and employment. focuses on eating disorder awareness and prevention, It is vital that people with mental illness have adequate education and support. Members include health proliving conditions. Together, Karen Devine House and fessionals, counselors, parents, and people directly CMHA have been able to supply supported housing units affected by eating disorders. Want to know more? for people in need in their community. Contact Ruth Minaker at 325-4325 or visit "The success is unbelievable. If you are cold and not www.well-connected-mb.ca eating well or sleeping well, it will affect your mental health immediately - never mind if you have a mental illness," she said. Individuals who are in crisis or are struggling with a mental illness can access the Karen Devine Safehouse directly at 239-5332 or by contacting an individuals' Community Mental Health Worker, Mental Health Intake at 239-3000 (8:30 to 4:30) Monday to Friday. In the Central Region we have an after-hours Mental Health Crisis Service (MHCS) that will guide individuals through the process for an admission. The number for the he BabyFirst and visiting model for older MHCS is 857-6369 (northern portion of region) or 325children Early Start pro- pre-school 9700 (southern portion of region). grams have (ages 2 - 5 years) and recently integrated and was based out of are now known as: licensed childcare faciliFamilies First - a com- ties. Both programs utimunity-based home vis- lized trained paraproiting program for fami- fessional home visitors lies with children from and strength based curconception to riculum and training to Kindergarten. A trained deliver services to famiparaprofessional home lies. Integration of visitor supports parents in building a strong rela- BabyFirst and Early tionship with their child Start - the new Families and offers ideas and First - has allowed for a resources to help chil- comprehensive continudren grow up healthy um of services to families. Families First and happy. As an extension of receives referrals from public health services, Public Health Nurses as BabyFirst and Early well as other community Start were initially partners. Families may launched in 1998. also refer themselves to BabyFirst was devel- the program. For more oped to support parents information, please conof newborns. Early Start tact your local Public was developed as a home Health Nurse. Health Care for everyone Karen Devine Safe House A safe place to go E verybody needs a safe place to go when the going gets tough. For people with mental health problems, that place in Portage la Prairie is the Karen Devine House. The four-bed facility, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, provides adults with mental health problems a place where they can work things out in a safe, supportive and caring environment. Director Corrie Crawford said the safe house offers people an opportunity to access alternative help before problems escalate into a crisis that may require hospitalization. "The point of entry may be a crisis," she said, "But other things enter in and we can look at the whole person and try to give holistic solutions." Crawford said there are individuals that use the facility frequently to maintain themselves in the community. "Someone with a persistent illness like schizophrenia might use the safe house twice in a month for respite, to get a break from the stresses of day-to-day life," she said. "They may be able to return home without a hospital visit." People with mental illness do not all need hospitalization, especially if they get tools to empower them to live in their own communities. At the Karen Devine House individuals get their immediate needs met and the opportunity to participate in their own care plan. "We use a recovery model and an empowerment philosophy to put the person in charge of their own care plan," said Crawford. "If we can enter the situation before bottoming out or a suicide attempt, we can be proactive instead of reactive." The length of a stay at the safe house varies, usually just a few days, but sometimes for several weeks, while Director Corrie Crawford is seen in front of the Karen Devine House in Portage la Prairie. RHA Central: Families First T 8 ABORIGINALS Working together for community health T equipment lending trading depot. Pedometers have been given out to encourage people to walk more. "The community showed their creativity when they came up with these ideas," said Curtis. The program encourages communities to do what works for them. Every community has different and unique ideas. In Sandy Bay, the committee identified wandering packs of dogs as being a barrier to more people walking and will take steps to encourage dog control implementation. "People are scared to walk around because of packs of dogs. That's a barrier we haven't come up against in other communities," said Curtis. Other initiatives in Sandy Bay/Amaranth include the promotion of healthy eating on a budget by holding grocery shopping tours and encouraging the sale of healthier choices at community venues. Ideas on how to get the message out include newsletters, radio spots and community workshops. There is RHA funding - $2 per capita available to help communities work on CCWT programs in their communities. For Sandy Bay, that translated into a $9,000 grant which will be matched with a variety of in-kind donations from participants in the community. "The hope of this program isn't necessarily what happens in this year," said Curtis, "But what happens afterwards. It's hard to measure the benefits and spin-offs but this program will help to make a difference." Sandy Bay’s story he RHA can't do it all. Good health care happens when individuals and communities assume responsibility for their own wellbeing. The challenge becomes how to encourage people to exercise and eat right. The Sandy Bay First Nation is taking a unique approach as far as their youth are concerned. The bus will drop students off a kilometer from school so they have to walk the rest of the way. This might not work in every community, but a committee committed to health in Sandy Bay thinks this just might work for them. The community, along with Amaranth, has signed an agreement with the RHA called Creating Community Wellbeing Together (CCWT). It is a health promotion program available to all communities in RHA Central to encourage communities to take the lead in designing and implementing a variety of health initiatives. The agreement between RHA Central and Sandy Bay First Nation/Amaranth was signed in January. Jane Curtis, Regional Program Leader, said the agreement establishes a process for the community to work towards more physical activity, healthy eating, smoke-free living and injury prevention. She said if a program like this is going to work, the community needs to take the lead and the RHA a support role. "It's led by the community to build capacity and sustainability." The long term goal in Sandy Bay is "to reduce the prevalence of physical inactivity and unhealthy eating practice associated with chronic disease and injury." Curtis said a variety of activities, such as the student walking program will help to achieve the goal. Given the information that students are fairly active to the age of 12, the committee wrestled with how to encourage exercise among the 12 to 16 year age group. They came up with the kilometer walk as well as a variety of other programs, including arena activities and an The Role of traditional healing in mental wellness H teacher would draw a circle on the chalkboard and then "she would make us put our nose on that circle with our arms up. It was keeping those arms up that was hard." Marjorie experienced and witnessed many kinds of abuse in the residential school. When she was in Grade Four she was given jobs. "Child slavery," she said wryly as she described cleaning, cooking, ironing and waiting on staff dinners. Once, when the iron wasn't hot when the matron came in, she made Marjorie haul out the smoldering wood with her bare hands. When she ran away, her hair was roughly cut off. When she spoke her language, she got lashes. The losses are too numerous to name. And Marjorie's story is not much different than that of many, many other Ojibway children of that time. Marjorie survived. She married, raised nine children and never became addicted to drugs or alcohol. "The thing is to trust in the Creator. Every morning when I wake up I ask the Creator for help." Lawrence Henry is an Ojibway Traditionalist from the Roseau River First Nation. He says many Ojibway people suffer from depression as the result of oppression such as Marjorie described. He finds the health care system wants to separate mental, physical and spiritual wellness, but in the Ojibway tradition, this can't be done. "We can specialize on issues, but we can't separate them," he said. "Traditional healing deals with the whole body, the whole mind and the whole spirit." Henry said his people have been made to believe untruths. "As a result of the indoctrination you believe in your mind you are less educated, less knowledgeable, and less than human. Your mind and spirit begin to battle about what is actually right," he said. Henry said the body is "watching" the spirit and the mind fight it out and sooner or later, something snaps. "It becomes a mental problem, but really it is a symptom of something else." Treatment? Henry said traditionally, a healer will go "straight to the spirit." "The spirit doesn't lie. The mind does because it has been programmed a certain way." The spirit, said Henry, needs a chance to be heard. There is no single way to treat mental illness, but rather, a healer has to treat people on an individual basis. And people have to want healing. "There is no one answer," he said. "We have to look at the experiences and health of the individual and find out where the problem came from." Marjorie Nelson For Marjorie, that means looking into the past just and as far as Residential School. Grace Hage Marjorie has recently been through the federal visit the government's Residential School resolution claim Residential School process. She was offered $3,000 in compensation for photo display at the what was done to her. Manitoba Museum "I will live with this [experience]," she said. "It of Man & Nature. can never be erased by money or material things." er name is Miskogiizhigook (Red Sky Woman) and she is from the Bald Eagle clan. She is also known as Marjorie (Johnson) Nelson. Marjorie is not sure exactly how old she is - her mother died before she was a year old but she thinks she is about 76 years old. Her uncle said she was born when the leaves were falling, so a friend picked the date of November 8 to celebrate her birthday. Marjorie remembers a delightful childhood, living with her dad and a crippled, blind uncle. She played all day and listened to legends after sunset. All that changed one day when a car drove up and someone told Marjorie she was going to go to school. School turned out to be a residential school in Portage la Prairie, several hours away from her home on the Roseau River First Nation. "I was all mixed up," recalled Marjorie. "I was leaving my home behind, my freedom, and my loved ones." At the same time she was excited because she was going to see her older sister Rosie, who was also at the school. "I knew no English," said Marjorie. "I was given the name Marjorie with a tag number 15." Marjorie saw her Rosie and called to her in Ojibway. "I was immediately told to be quiet. My freedom was gone and so was my language and my childhood." For nine years, Marjorie lived at the school. Most years she wasn't allowed to go home for the holidays because the officials did not recognize her father's dwelling as a home. Marjorie said those were years of tears, suffering, humiliation, verbal abuse and hatred. "That's where I learned to steal when I was hungry, lie so as not to get into trouble, to hate, to fight back with bullies because if you didn't they wouldn't leave you alone." While in the school, Marjorie had a teacher who, for punishment, would grab her arm near the wrist and bang her hand back and forth on the wooden desktop until she cried. The 9 Region promotes diabetes strategy D iabetes. It'll sneak up on you. If you are a person at risk for type 2 diabetes you can get it before it gets you. The early symptoms of diabetes may be so minimal, people may be unaware of the need to seek treatment or do self-care. The key is prevention. Eating well, exercising and managing stress will go a long way to preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. So why are so many people at risk? Why is there an epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the Region? If it is so easy to prevent, why are we seeing this disease, once referred to as adult-onset diabetes, in ages younger than ever seen before? Chantelle D'Andreamatteo is the Regional Diabetes Program Coordinator. She said that many people may not have the information or understanding to seek help before they get quite ill and before health care providers diagnose diabetes. "You have to be pretty sick for significant symptoms to set in," she said. "By then it's too advanced to do anything [in regards to prevention of diabetes]. The alarming fact is that 50 per cent of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes already have complications of diabetes, for example, eye disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, or heart disease." D'Andreamatteo said there is an epidemic of diabetes in the Region, particularly among the elderly and aboriginals. Within North America there has been a significant increase in the number of children with type 2 diabetes over the past 10-15 years. This is being seen in overweight kids, especially if they have a family history of diabetes or are a member of a high-risk population. Research shows that type 2 diabetes is linked to economic status. In part, people with low incomes may find it difficult to pay for healthy food, or may have limited access to physical activity resources, making healthy lifestyle choices less accessible. Successful diabetes care depends on the daily commitment of the person with diabetes to do self-care and management, and education is a huge piece of that. Thus it is essential that education take place as close to home as possible to deal with type 2 diabetes at the early stages. RHA Central has found a way to do that more effectively. Primary Health Care Coordinator & Coordinator of Aboriginal Health Jennifer Baker said the Region is creating care teams at the local level that have the skills to educate and treat people at risk for diabetes, or in the early stages of the illness. Diabetes is one of the most costly chronic diseases of our time. “We don't have unlimited resources for diabetes care so it is essential that we do the best job we can with the money we have," she said. The Region has adopted the Risk Factor and Complication Assessment (RFCA) too. The goal of the RFCA is fourfold: to promote earlier detection of people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes; earlier diagnosis of diabetes; earlier detection of those at risk for developing complications of diabetes; and earlier diagnosis of complications. A regional training team is teaching the RFCA methods to physicians, registered nurses and dietitians in the Region. "It's an approach to expand and enhance the diabetes care team to include many more health care professionals," said D'Andreamatteo. "Training the trainers" is an effective way for the RHA to teach more health care professionals who can then pass on the information to clients. Workshops have already been held with Sandy Bay and Gladstone staff with good success and more are planned for other areas of the Region. HEALTHY AS CAN BE! Fondations de santé du Centre Health Foundations of Central STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES G rateful for the generous support of health foundations, the RHA Central would like to acknowledge the dedication of health foundations making a difference in our communities. It is the strength of our association and the generosity of donors that help to meet the health care needs of the region. Many thanks to the many foundations of Central who agreed to be part of our foundation feature. Stay tuned for our fall issue featuring the contributions of Auxiliary Groups in Central Region! NORTH Portage District General Hospital Foundation (Ph. 857-3821) Directors: Jim Knight (Chair), Harold Brown, Walter Keryluk, Garry Mattin, Hugh Owens The Portage District General Hospital (PDGH) Foundation helps maintain a high level of care for both the PDGH and the Douglas Campbell Lodge (DCL). Over the past five years, the Foundation has contributed more than a half million dollars towards needed equipment. As well, in 2004/05 alone, recognition is acknowledged to the PDGH Foundation having committed over $1 million towards: * Diagnostic Technological upgrades * Ophthalmology surgical program * Nurses' Residence renovations * Sensory Room furnishings, amenities and ceiling tracks at the Douglas Campbell Lodge * Student bursaries to assist upcoming health care professionals complete their education We are very appreciative to these and all efforts of the Portage District General Hospital Foundation. Seven Regions Health Foundation (Ph. 385-2968) Directors: David Single (Chair), Jack Breedon, Dorothy Doell, Danny Post, Bonnie Soper, Isaac Wiebe The Seven Regions Health Foundation serves both the Seven Regions Health Centre and Third Crossing Manor in Gladstone. Recent contributions include: * Purchase of a house to rent to physicians as a recruitment/retention effort * Ceiling track lifts at Third Crossing Manor * Contribution towards the Handivan * Numerous items for the Seven Regions Health Centre and Third Crossing Manor Thank you to the Seven Regions Health Foundation for their commitment and diligence towards health care services. RENFORCER NOS COMMUNAUTÉS L Introducing ... HEALTHY AS CAN BE! ... en vedette Thank you for reading our Spring 2005 newsletter, reaching households across Central Region. Created by the RHA Central, HEALTHY AS CAN BE! is published to share stories about healthcare, health promotion and health wellness. 'ORS du Centre tient à reconnaître le dévouement et l'appui généreux des fondations du domaine de la santé qui font toute la différence dans nos communautés. C'est la force de notre partenariat et la générosité de nos donateurs qui nous aident à répondre aux besoins en matière de soins de santé de la région. Nous remercions les fondations du Centre qui ont accepté d'être inclus dans notre article vedette sur les fondations. Restez à l'écoute pour notre numéro d'automne dans lequel nous mettrons en valeur les groupes auxiliaires de la région du Centre! Stories are written by RHA Central staff and/or Marj Heinrichs (Rosenort), a freelance writer in Central Region. Many regards to the numerous interviewees who contributed to our stories: MacGregor Health Foundation Inc. (Ph. 685-2850) Directors: Doris Moore (Chair), Ian Blythe, Laura Burke, Cindy Grainger, Sharon Stewart, Art Wilcox The MacGregor Health Foundation has been fortunate to receive many generous donations from the citizens of MacGregor and surrounding district benefitting the MacGregor Health Centre and community. Some of the Foundation's more recent projects include: * Allison Lindbloom Memorial Park (located near MacGregor Health Centre) * Funding towards the Palliative Care Program * Partnership with the RHA to renovate the Grafton House for Community Health Services office space. * Funding for initiatives promoting healthy living such as Pre School Wellness Fair, Skills for Independent Living & Breakfast Program at the Elementary School * Various initiatives including ceiling track lifts, pressure relief mattresses, office furnishings & equipment, assistance to employees to further their education We acknowledge with appreciation the resourcefulness of the MacGregor Health Foundation. Reproduction of materials in whole or in part is encouraged with confirmation from Corporate Communications c/o: Merci beaucoup d'avoir fait la lectu de notre bulletin du printemps 20 parvenu aux résidents de la région Centre. Ce bulletin est créé par l'OR du Centre avec le but de vous inform sur des questions de soins, de santé de bien-être. Les articles sont rédigés par du pe sonnel de l'ORS du Centre et/ou M Heinrichs (Rosenort), rédactrice à pige dans la région du Centre. Me infiniment aux interviewés pour leur c laboration aux histoires: Jennifer Baker, Don Boddy, Shawn Bugden, Wilmar Chopyk, Dr. Barbara Comt Corrie Crawford, Robert & Lois Creith, Jane Curtis, Chantelle D'Andreamatte James Friesen, Lorne Friesen, Eckhard Goertz, Jan-Marie Graham, Lawren Henry, Debbie Iverson, Cindy Joel, John & Sharon Klassen, Bob McKenzie, Kris McKitrick-Bazin, Leisa Miness, Susan Mooney, Marjorie (Johnson) Nelso Marlene Potash, Neil Walker, Pamela Zary. Les lecteurs peuvent reproduire le co tenu du bulletin en tout ou en part mais doivent en obtenir l'autorisati préalable auprès du service de co munication a/s: Lorraine Grenier Corporate Communications & French Language Services Leader/ Coordonnatrice des communications & des services en langue française Regional Health Authority — Central Manitoba Inc. Office régional de la santé du Centre du Manitoba inc. C/o Regional Office/Bureau régional — Notre Dame de Lourdes Box 190/CP 190 Notre Dame de Lourdes MB R0G 1M0 [email protected] www.rha-central.mb.ca THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! AU PLAISIR DE SE RETROUVER! Lions Prairie Manor Foundation (Ph. 857-6070) Directors: Tom Street (Chair), Margaret Clark, Larry Downey, Sylvia Henderson, Allan Morris, Larry Tully, Mary Warburton, Norman Wiebe The Lions Prairie Manor Foundation was established to receive donations of property, real or personal, in trust for the benefit of the Lions Prairie Manor and for the care, benefit and comfort of the residents. The Foundation is recognized for some of its recent initiatives: * Parkside - new sunroom and furnishings * Walker Road & Skyview - refurnishings in lounge areas * Remodelling of activity room * New chapel and furnishings * Numerous items including TV/stereo sets and overhead electrical patient lifts Appreciation is extended to the Lions Prairie Manor Foundation helping to achieve quality resident care. WEST District de Santé St-Claude Health District Foundation Inc. (Ph. 379-2585) Directors/Directeurs: Lucienne Bazin (Chair/présidente), Don Chapman, Suzanne Fay, Liz Klotz, Marie-Reine Moreau, Arthur Rey, Jean Souque, Louis Souque, Mona Spencer, Alain Toupin The Foundation aims to promote, encourage, support and fund endeavors likely to enhance the health and wellbeing of area residents: * Annual bursaries to graduating high school students entering health care field and a professional bursary to health care employees wishing to upgrade their credentials * Funding towards the palliative care unit; activities program in the pavilion; embellishment of the health centre grounds; community day care centre * Co-sponsoring of community wellness days Many thanks to the District de Santé St-Claude Health District Foundation Inc. for making a difference in the community. La Fondation vise la promotion, l'encouragement, l'appui et le financement des efforts qui favorisent la santé et le bien-être des résidents de la région : * Octroi de bourses annuelles aux finissants du secondaire qui se lancent dans le domaine de la santé et d'une bourse professionnelle aux employés du domaine des soins de santé qui souhaitent améliorer leurs titres de compétences. * Financement de l'unité de soins palliatifs; programme d'activités du pavillon; amélioration du terrain du centre de santé; garderie communautaire * Co-parrainage des journées de bien-être communautaire Nous tenons à remercier la District de Santé St-Claude Health District Foundation Inc. pour ses efforts communautaires. Carman Area Foundation (Ph. 745-3861) Directors/Directeurs: Cliff Holliston (Chair/président), Brian Burnett, John Carley, Richard Dyck, Neil MacNair, Mabel McKnight, Ron McLain, Ken Reimer, Charlie Scharien, Shirley Stow, Darryl Sylvester The support of the Foundation in the provision of quality client care are greatly appreciated. Over the last decade, foundation contributions amounted to approximately $30,000. Most recently, the Carman Area Foundation generously donated nearly $7,000 towards the Carman Memorial Hospital, Boyne Lodge, Home Care, Public Health for purchases including: * Video surveillance camera * Teaching materials * Syringe pump * Office furnishings Thank you to the Carman Area Foundation for your continued support and generosity. Boyne Valley Hostel Corporation 1998 (Ph. 745-6715) Directors: Ken Stevens (Chair), Linda Baleja, Kim Janzen, Mary Ann Johnston, Bonnie McCutcheon, Cathy Oakes The Boyne Valley Hostel Corporation oversees donations funds for the Boyne Lodge personal care home and Boyne Towers. Funding requests approved over the years include: * Sound system at Boyne Towers * Ceiling chair lift; Vital signs monitor; Digital camera * Wheelchair van replacement * Furniture and building renovations including hairdressing room * Automatic door openers The generosity of donors and the Foundation has truly made a difference at the Boyne Lodge and Boyne Towers. Notre Dame Health Foundation Santé Notre Dame (Ph. 248-2092) Directors/Directeurs: René Hébert (Chair/Président), Normand Bérard, Murielle Bourrier, André Comte, Raynald Dacquay, René Delaquis, Cheryl Harrison, Gérald LeMoullec The Notre Dame Health Foundation was established in 1994. Its purpose is to provide funding to organizations that aim to help the elderly, the handicapped, the poor or the disadvantaged residing within the boundaries of the Notre Dame de Lourdes health foundation district. The Foundation has given many scholarships to deserving students as well as professional bursaries with a return of service agreement. This fiscal year alone, the Foundation has promised a donation of $250,000 towards the Wellness Centre to be built in Notre Dame de Lourdes. Appreciation is extended to the Notre Dame Health Foundation Santé Notre Dame for being an active community partner in the healthcare. La Fondation santé Notre-Dame Health Foundation a été fondée en 1994. Elle a pour but d'offrir un financement aux organisations qui visent à aider les aînés, les personnes handicapées, les démunis ou les personnes défavorisées qui vivent à l'intérieur des frontières du district de la fondation de santé de Notre-Dame-deLourdes. La Fondation a décerné de nombreuses bourses à des étudiants méritants ainsi que des bourses professionnelles comprenant un accord de retour au travail. Au cours du présent exercice, elle a promis de faire un don de 250 000 $ au centre de bien-être qui sera construit à Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes. Nous tenons à remercier la Fondation santé Notre-Dame 10 Health Foundation pour son partenariat actif en soins de santé. Lorne Memorial Health Foundation (Ph. 836-2132) Directors/Directeurs: Dan Hacault (Chair/Président), Cheryl Delaquis, Greg Gaudet, Lili Kolly, Kristal McKitrick-Bazin, Marie Pouteau, Joe Sierens, Larry VanCauwenberghe Established in 1997, the Lorne Memorial Health Foundation has made a commitment of supporting the purchase of medical equipment, health related programs and education (inservices/upgrading/bursaries). Contributions include: * Funding towards the Palliative Care Program * Lorne Ambulance and community Handivan * Physician recruitment & retention efforts * 2005 Health Needs Assessment (Lorne community) Appreciated is extended to the Lorne Memorial Health Foundation for its drive and generosity. Fondée en 1997, la Lorne Memorial Health Foundation s'est engagée à appuyer l'achat d'équipement médical ainsi que la mise en œuvre de programmes et d'activités de formation en matière de santé (recyclage/perfectionnement/bourses). Les contributions comprennent ce qui suit : * financement du programme de soins palliatifs * ambulance et fourgonnette Handivan communautaires * recrutement des médecins et mesures de maintien en poste * évaluation des besoins en matière de santé 2005 (communauté de Lorne) Nous tenons à remercier la Lorne Memorial Health Foundation pour sa détermination et sa générosité. Prairie View Lodge Foundation Inc. (Ph. Directors: Terry Gosnell (Chair), Lois Cr Gardiner, Ken Kemp, Yvonne Kemp, Pam Lois Lynch, Linda Ralph Incorporated in 2003, the Prairie View L created to manage donations made in trust Foundation has received generous donatio many worthwhile projects including: * Memory boxes for residents; Construc Fire alarm system upgrades for suites bed & mattress * Renovations to Seniors Day Out suite offices * Educational assistance * In conjunction with Rock Lake Foun tance towards the Volunteer Program a accessories & education for Pilot Mo Thank you to the Prairie View Lodge F well-being they bring to the residents. EN ALTHY AS CAN BE! ... en vedette ring 2005 ouseholds ted by the BE! is pubut healthealth wellentral staff senort), a l Region. us interviestories: Merci beaucoup d'avoir fait la lecture de notre bulletin du printemps 2005 parvenu aux résidents de la région du Centre. Ce bulletin est créé par l'ORS du Centre avec le but de vous informer sur des questions de soins, de santé et de bien-être. Les articles sont rédigés par du personnel de l'ORS du Centre et/ou Marj Heinrichs (Rosenort), rédactrice à la pige dans la région du Centre. Merci infiniment aux interviewés pour leur collaboration aux histoires: Shawn Bugden, Wilmar Chopyk, Dr. Barbara Comte, ois Creith, Jane Curtis, Chantelle D'Andreamatteo, en, Eckhard Goertz, Jan-Marie Graham, Lawrence Joel, John & Sharon Klassen, Bob McKenzie, Kristal ess, Susan Mooney, Marjorie (Johnson) Nelson, Pamela Zary. whole or in nfirmation ons c/o: Les lecteurs peuvent reproduire le contenu du bulletin en tout ou en partie, mais doivent en obtenir l'autorisation préalable auprès du service de communication a/s: tions & French Language Services Leader/ mmunications & des services en langue française rity — Central Manitoba Inc. anté du Centre du Manitoba inc. reau régional — Notre Dame de Lourdes PLEINE FORME! Effective Health Care Foundations What is a health care foundation? A health care foundation is a private organization set up to solicit and direct funds for improving health care in a community or region. Health care foundations come in various shapes and sizes. All are coloured by their board, their communities and the history of giving and health care needs in their area. Health care foundations share a mission to enhance health care in their community, and, these days, they also share a need to have a good relationship with their Regional Health Authority. How do health care organizations spend their money? When the Regional Health Authorities were formed and local hospital boards dissolved in Manitoba in 1997, it was left to foundations to steward the money accumulated over time in each area. People became reluctant to contribute to areas historically funded by the province but not necessarily funded under the new regime. Wilmar Chopyk of Castle Solutions Inc. works with foundations to make them more effective. He says trying to fund all the health care needs in any community is like a mother s MB R0G 1M0 a OU FOR JOINING US! R DE SE RETROUVER! bird coming to the nest with one worm for all the little ones. With RHAs taking on new responsibilities and initiatives, funds are stretched to the maximum. "There's never enough, so RHAs go back to the government and make a pitch for what they need. Sometimes they do get a portion of what they ask for." And where does the rest come from? In one example, where a facility needed new beds, a partnership was formed between the province, the city and the local foundation. A million dollars worth of beds was purchased. "People have trouble with that. They say 'Beds? We don't do beds.' But the landscape has changed so much that you really need to work cooperatively with the RHA," said Chopyk. What makes a strong health care foundation? Effective foundations build relationships with potential partners. But first of all they have to get their own organizations in order. Some foundations need help with the basics. "It's simple things," said Chopyk, "Such as how do you chair a meeting? Board members need to be given tools to run meetings." All foundations need a mission, a sense of EAST direction and a plan, said Chopyk. Foundations need a mission statement such as "our mission is to serve the residents of the Region by providing health care enhancements," and then the mission statement needs to become a mantra, said Chopyk. "You have a mission statement, but do you live it? It can be an active and living thing, not just something that's on the wall." Foundations must raise awareness and communicate well in order to get the all-important support of the community. "There is so much competition for giving dollars, or time and money. They are all worthy," said Chopyk, adding that people gravitate and give to things that have affected them personally, such as cancer, diabetes or blindness. "It's not like the foundation wants all your money," he said. "We want you to know we are working in the community." A good communication strategy will bring the foundation to the hearts, minds and ears of the community on a regular basis. "Just get the message out there that there is a foundation set up to improve health care in the community. Get people interested." Acknowledgement is extended to the Altona and District Health Care Board for their outstanding support to the community. Altona and District Health Care Board (Ph. 324-6468) Directors: Terry Wiebe (Chair), Jake Bergen, John Braun, Paul Peters, Jim Spencer, Roger Vermette The Altona and District Health Care Board funds projects and equipment which provide an added dimension to health care in our community. In the past few years, the Foundation has generously donated towards: * Ceiling track lifts, new dishes and commode chairs for Eastview Place * New TV/DVD systems in patients' rooms * Nursing recruitment incentives * Renovations to the former nurses' residence to accommodate: East Area, public health, Families First offices and Family Resource Centre, examination rooms for Midwifery & clinic rooms for Public Health * In conjunction with Altona Elks, a pediatric blood pressure monitor Red River Valley Health Foundation (Ph. 746-2394) Directors/Directeurs: Barry Fraese (Chair/président), Allen Friesen, Marj Heinrichs, Bill Fulford, Bryan Nichols, Elmer Penner, Lawrence Pow, Dick Remus, Laurette Roy The Mission of the Red River Valley Health Foundation is to "raise and distribute funds to facilitate the provision of health care for the people of the Red River Valley Health District beyond the care which would otherwise be provided." Renovations, including relocating the tiny medication room, enlarging the nurses' desk, and creating a "quiet room" were partially funded by the Foundation. Another project of the Foundation in the past year was to purchase a crash cart for the Morris Hospital. This cart will make it easier to move life-saving equipment and medications that the physicians, nurses and EMS staff use during emergency care. The Red River Valley Lodge in Morris is a better home and workplace, thanks to assistance from the Red River Valley Health District Foundation. La mission de la Red River Valley Foundation est « d'amasser des fonds et de faciliter la prestation de soins de santé aux personnes du district de santé de la vallée de la rivière Rouge au-delà des soins attendus ». La Fondation a financé en partie des rénovations, y compris la réinstallation de la petite salle de médicaments, l'agrandissement du bureau du personnel infirmier et la création d'une « salle de repos ». L'an dernier, la Fondation a également acheté un chariot d'urgence pour l'hôpital de Morris. Ce chariot facilitera le déplacement de matériel et de médicaments de survie dont ont besoin les médecins, le personnel infirmier et le personnel du SMU lorsqu'ils donnent des soins d'urgence. Le Red River Valley Lodge à Morris est un meilleur foyer et milieu de travail grâce à l'aide de la Red River Valley Health District Foundation. SOUTH Eden Foundation (Ph. 377-4774) Directors: Werner Rempel (Chair), Peter L. Barkman, Armin Ens, Arnold Reimer, Harold Reimer The Eden Foundation was formed in 1988 as an extension of Eden Mental Health Centre in Winkler. Through their contributions to the Foundation, community members, businesses and supporting churches across Manitoba have provided capital for several additional mental health recovery programs: * Eden Residential Care services * Trainex Centre * Recovery of Hope Counselling Service * Eden East The Eden Foundation is proactive in organizing a number of fundraising events to give opportunity for all ages to support the programs and to increase awareness of mental health and illness issues. heryl dation s'est mise ère de utions oste mmu- Prairie View Lodge Foundation Inc. (Ph. 825-2246) Directors: Terry Gosnell (Chair), Lois Creith, Carol Gardiner, Ken Kemp, Yvonne Kemp, Pam King, Nelson Lees, Lois Lynch, Linda Ralph Incorporated in 2003, the Prairie View Lodge Foundation was created to manage donations made in trust. In the past year, the Foundation has received generous donations used in support of many worthwhile projects including: * Memory boxes for residents; Construction of recycling shed; Fire alarm system upgrades for suites; Purchase of electric bed & mattress * Renovations to Seniors Day Out suites and games room & offices * Educational assistance * In conjunction with Rock Lake Foundation, funding assistance towards the Volunteer Program and heart rate monitors, accessories & education for Pilot Mound Collegiate Thank you to the Prairie View Lodge Foundation Inc. for the well-being they bring to the residents. Rock Lake Foundation Inc. (Ph. 873-2132) Directors: Glen Wheeler (Chair), Janet Boyd, Lois Creith, Clare Geddes, Leafa Hanks, Pam King, Bob Melvin, Audrey Morrow, Ken McKinnon, Bill McKitrick Incorporated in 1995, the Rock Lake Foundation was established to receive donations and bequests and to distribute funds for specific projects and programs for the Rock Lake facilities. The Rock Lake Foundation has funded many requests in the past year including: * Funding towards Memory boxes for residents; Rock Lake Palliative Care; Lifeline; electric beds & mattresses; construction of recycling shed; television system upgrades, clinic computer equipment; PCH dining room lights and cabinet; educational grants for employees; medical recruitment & retention efforts; 11 * In conjunction with Prairie View Lodge Foundation, funding assistance towards the Volunteer Program and heart rate monitors, accessories & education for Pilot Mound Collegiate The generosity of the Rock Lake Foundation Inc. translates into the many initiatives for the community and beyond. Pembina Manitou Health Centre Foundation (Ph. 242-2669) Directors: Sam Vodden (Chair), Kathy Baloun, Jan Henderson, Betty Holenski, Art Klassen, Mel Lantz, André Remillard The Pembina Manitou Health Centre Foundation's primary purpose is to carry on fundraising in the local community and distribute funds to registered charities in order to advance medical education, research and the improvement of patient care. Contributions and projects supported in 2004/05 include: * Pembina Wellness Project * Pembina Palliative Care * Pembina Community Resource Council * Pembina Manitou Health Centre * Pembina Manitou Ambulance Service * Student Bursary Program The Pembina Manitou Health Centre Foundation's many contributions/projects speaks to the energy and commitment of the community and area. Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation (Ph. 331-8808) Directors: Ivadell Sigurdson (Chair), Wilma Garlick, Pat Gibson, John Kuhl, Mona Livingstone, Archie Miller, Lynda Oakes, Kim Porte, Frank Schaak, Frank Wiebe, Carol Worms The Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation's mission is to facilitate the provision of health care for the people of this region beyond the care which would otherwise be provided. In addition to purchasing equipment for various departments, support is graciously accepted towards: * Palliative Care * Pastoral Care * Rehabilitation Assessment * CancerCare * Aiding Parents Experiencing Infant Loss * Continuing Care A very sincere thank you is extended to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation for playing such a vital role in the Region's health care. Salem Foundation Inc. (Ph. 325-4316) Directors: Glen Thiessen (Chair), Isaac Friesen, Paul Peters, Frank Reimer, Art Warkentine This last year has been a very productive year for the Salem Foundation Inc. In addition to providing partial funding for the Volunteer Coordinator's position along with the Winkler United Way, the Foundation helped contribute towards the completion of the installation of ceiling track lifts in all resident rooms as well as the bathing rooms. This marks the end of a significant commitment to the facility. Both the ceiling track lifts and the electric beds have impacted the physical care of the residents, as well as the health and safety of the staff. The Foundation has also invested in new state of the art wheelchairs as well as glider rockers and provided funding to Salem Home for the implementation of an electronic charting project. This project has impacted how care is provided and has brought computers to the bedside. Salem Home is most grateful to the Foundation and to everyone who has supported the work of the Foundation this past year.