Seagull

Meeting September 2004

Fraser South EPI (Early Psychosis Intervention) Parents' Meeting, Tuesday September 28, 2004

The meeting was facilitated by family members in association with Nancy Clarke (BCSS). Also in attendance was Cathy Ellen Queen who is new to the EPI staff.

This months meeting was attended by 14 people, with the change in venue suspected to be the reason for the lower than expected turnout. It seems every month there are people new to the the support meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact your EPI contact for details


Announcements

The 'NORMS' for the meeting were mentioned as were the web sites www.psychosissucks.ca and www.psychosissupport.com

The next meeting for the Surrey group is scheduled for Tuesday October 26th.

The International Conference on Early Psychosis is to be held in Vancouver 28th September - 1st October 2004

BCSS is part of a collective known as the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information which consists of the provincial mental health organizations in BC (website is www.heretohelp.bc.ca). The journal "Visions" (formerly a CMHA journal) is now run by the BC Partners and this months issue focusses on families who have a child or youth with a mental or substance use disorder.

CMHA Vancouver-Burnaby Branch are hosting a Mental Health Education Series - 7 Workshops Sept 23rd to Nov 4th. Topics are:
Sept 23rd Dear Mom and Dad - Children and their parents talk about what helped them through mental illness and how it affects family relationships.
Sept 30th Is it a phase or is it something more?
Oct 7th Depression in children and youth
Oct 14th Coping with suicide and loss
Oct 21st Managing anxiety in children and youth
Oct 28th Youthspeak - Youth speak about their experiences
November 24th The future of Child and Mental Health services in BC

CMHA Richmond Branch are hosting a movie "People Say I'm Crazy" Directed by John Cadigan. At the Ralph Fisher Auditorium, Richmond Hospital. Tuesday Oct 5th.

Fraser South Mental Health After Hours Services 604-953-4903

Caring and Sharing:


As this was the first meeting back after the summer hiatus, we spent much of the time at this months meeting for the sharing time. Everyone had an opportunity to participate and discussions were very appropriate and helpful.

Note: This caring and sharing is a favorite part of the meeting for many people and is the main reason they attend. It gives each person an opportunity to discuss and receive feedback on their particular situation. Each month there are new people who need to share and learn, there are people who have success stories, and there are people who just need to know that what they are experiencing is not unique and there is love and support available.



Meetings


If you have comments you would like to share please email pspops@psychosissupport.com