Past, present, future of OSHN CURRENT

OSHNCURRENT
November 2014
Proud Member
Oxford Self Help Network
of the
United Way
Past, present,
future of OSHN
By Eric Schmiedl
Looking back at where the Oxford
Self Help Network has been and what
the future holds for
the organization was
the focus of Laura
Earle’s speech at
Self Help’s annual
general meeting on
Oct. 17
“The past, the present and the future,” Earle, Self Help’s executive
director, said of the thrust of her talk.
In 1991, thanks to a move by the
Ontario government to bring self help
groups into being, the local chapter of
Self Help was formed. At that time,
the local organization was co-located
with the Canadian Mental Health Association on Adelaide Street in Wood-
stock. In 1992 the local Self Help held
its first annual general meeting – at
that time, its board of directors included Christine Hunt and
Gord Pollock.
“People helping people
help themselves” was
the motto the group
adopted.
Later, the local Self
Help moved into 800 Dundas St. – “it
was really small,” Earle said of those
quarters.
In July 1994, Self Help was incorporated and another move followed in
1996 – that was back to the Adelaide
Street location, when the CMHA was
moving out. “We were really happy
about that move,” Earle said.
Continued on page 2
Oxford Self Help
Network
522 Peel Street
Woodstock,
Ontario
N4S 1K3
519-539-8055
1-800-859-7248
Fax: 519-539-8317
www.ocl.net/
projects/selfhelp/
Inside This Issue
Book signing
2
Support groups
3
Calendar
4
Look for activities
pages In this issue
Open
Oxford Self Help Network does not provide professional counselling. It provides one on one peer support and social activities for people dealing with
mental illness. We endeavour to treat all with respect and ask that we do not
repeat or identify anyone or their experiences outside of OSHN. Confidentiality is a sacred trust.
Monday Thru Friday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OSHNCURRENT
November 2014
Self Help history and future
Continued from page 1
Another move came in 2002,
when Self Help was told it had six
weeks to move out of its Adelaide
Street quarters. That led to the shift
to 554 Princess St., which Self
Help occupied until June of this
year – now, the organization is colocated with the Oxford CMHA at
522 Peel St. Part of that deal was
that Self Help would retain its own
programs and funding.
“Oxford Self Help is still Oxford
Self Help,” said Earle, adding the
move was arranged in part so Self
Help could choose its own partnership in the community rather than
having one thrust upon it from up-
per government tiers.
As for the future, a survey will be
going out with this newsletter to
gauge the wants of the Self Help
membership, she said.
Thanks to Shirley M., Meghan M.,
Marilyn S., Edi S., Lori R. and
WDDS for preparing food for the
October annual general meeting.
Book signing at OSHN
100+ at open house
Woodstock author Eric
Schmiedl is taking on the
stigma associated with bipolar disorder in his new book,
Don Quixote Versus the
Devil. A book signing to
launch Don Quixote will go
on at the Oxford Self Help
Network/Oxford Canadian
Mental Health Association
building Thursday, Nov. 13
from 2:30-4 p.m.
Schmiedl, who was diagnosed with the illness in
More than 100 people attended an open
house marking the Oxford Self Help Network’s move into the Canadian Mental
Health Association’s Oxford County branch
building at 522 Peel St.
The open house at the shared building was
held Sept. 23 and included lots of food, a ribbon cutting and brief speeches by Laura
Earle and Mike McMahon, executive directors of Self Help and CMHA respectively.
There was plenty of media coverage for the
event. Elizabeth Crawford won a draw for
hockey tickets, to a Toronto-Ottawa game, at
the event.
1998, relates the misadventures that he went through
during his manic episodes
over the years. His last manic episode occurred six years
ago and he has been healthy
ever since, so the book’s
message is one of hope for
people with the disorder. For
him, keeping to a medication
regimen and a good sleep
schedule are paramount in
maintaining his health.
The book sells for $7.95.
November membership meeting
The next Self Help membership meeting will be held
Nov. 21 at noon. A draw will
be held for free cans of pop.
Page 2
Free can of pop draw (enter your
name in this box)
Client lunch
The next OSHN/CMHA client
lunch will be held Nov. 6 at noon.
Tickets for the lunch are $2 and
can be bought at the reception
desk.
Call the office at 519-539-8055 for more information about any of our groups.
OSHNCURRENT
November 2014
Self Help support groups
Schizophrenia Support
Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. (NOTE DAY CHANGE)
Schizophrenia can be a frightening disease that causes
some disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating to
others.
This support group provides an opportunity for
fellowship and friendship with others who have had
difficulties with this illness.
The group meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m.
To ensure confidentiality and a level playing field you
must be diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related
psychotic illness by a psychiatrist to attend this group.
Please speak to Elizabeth before attending. A phone
call to 519-539-8055 is sufficient.
Confidentiality, empathy, solidarity, positivity and a
safe place to discuss with peers the challenges that these
disorders can cause in our lives are the key components
to this group. Please call 519-539-8055 and ask for
Wes or Laura for more information.
NOTE: An afternoon mood disorder group will be
starting Tuesdays in November.
Ingersoll Mental Health Support Group
Thursdays 1:30 p.m.
Lonely, sad, tired? You may be depressed or you may
know you have other issues concerning mental health.
Come and share your thoughts and feelings in a kind,
accepting environment. You don’t have to be alone.
Location: First Baptist Church-in the Annex
Mood Disorder Group
235 Thames St. S.
Wednesdays 7-9 p.m.
Ingersoll, ON N5C 2T6
This is a peer support group for individuals diagnosed For more information please call the office @ 519-539
with depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders.
-8055 or 1-800-859-7248.
New at the library
Now That I’m Out, What Do I
Do?
This book details changes that
have faced the gay community.
Yoga For Grief Relief
Discovering the power of yoga to
help tackle grief.
Bipolar 101
A practical guide to identifying
triggers, managing medications,
coping with symptoms and more.
Forgetting: When To Worry,
What To Do
For those worried about their
memory or a loved one’s, this is a
well-researched, informative book.
We are now on Facebook. Check us out at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oxford-SelfHelp-Network/150925168436882?ref_type=bookmark
Call the office at 519-539-8055 for more information about any of our groups.
Page 3
OSHNCURRENT ACTIVITIES
November 2014
Movies galore for November
The Monday movie group continues. Popcorn is free and soft drinks are 50 cents a
can.
The November lineup is:
Nov. 3: Sex Tape
Nov. 10: Monument Men
Nov. 17: The Book Thief
Nov. 24: Mom’s Night Out
New and coming soon to you
* The One Stitch at a Time (knitting,
sewing, crocheting group) Mondays at 1
p.m.
* Beat the Boss… Come and play
against Laura in dominoes or crokinole,
or bring game suggestions, Wednesdays
at 10 a.m.
* An art group will be starting soon at
Oxford Self Help Network. Dates and
times to be announced soon.
Winter crafts arriving at OSHN
Welcome to OSHN crafts - held on each
Tuesday of the week from 1-3p.m.
We offer a different craft each week that will
involve the theme of that month.
If you have any crafts that you would like to
see done, please ask for Karen Fava.
Crafts can include - painting - felts - textiles
- paper - decorative - fashion and functional
crafts. We can look into accommodating your
ideas. Crafts for the month of November will
be winter related.
OSHNCURRENT ACTIVITIES
November 2014
OSHNCURRENT ACTIVITIES
November 2014
Makeover days continue
Makeover days will now be offered on the first Signup sheets will be at the office.
Wednesday of every month.
Nov. 5 is the next makeover day, then Dec.
The groups will be smaller to help with time
3 will be the following makeover day. This is
constraints.
open to men and women.
Bingo at Self Help
Come join us for
some fun on Fridays at 1 p.m. at
Self Help for bingo. You can win a
prize and join in
for cards following bingo.
Winners, winners, winners
The hearts winners for SepWinners for the euchre were
tember were Georgina, Mar- Sam, Dwayne, Elizabeth and
garet, Dwayne and Sam.
Margaret.
D and D,
C of C
on a roll
The Dungeons and
Dragons group meets Fridays at 1-4 p.m. for gaming action.
The group is limited to
up to five players.
And Call of Cthuhlu
players meet Wednesdays
at 1-4 p.m.
If interested talk to Wes.
Euchre tourney
Hearts tourney
The euchre tournament
continues Thursdays from
1:30 -3 p.m. Monthly prizes can be won, so come and
take some tricks and have
a good time.
For anyone who likes
playing cards or is looking
to learn a new card game
to play, we will be playing
hearts Wednesdays from
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
OSHNCURRENT ACTIVITIES
November 2014