Friends for Mental Health is a non-profit community organization that provides families and friends with the support, information and education they need to help them cope with a loved one's mental illness.
WHO WE ARE
History
Friends for Mental Health-West Island (FMH) was started in 1981 on a volunteer basis by family members who were concerned about the lack of available resources and support for relatives of the mentally ill. Since then, FMH has expanded to include a qualified staff to pursue its goal of providing information, education and support to families of the mentally ill to help them fight feelings of isolation so they can deal more effectively with their unique problems. The association now has over 650 members and receives funding from both Centraide, the Agence de développement de réseaux locaux de santé et de services sociaux Montréal-Centre and West Island Community Shares. It also relies on private and corporate donations and annual membership fees ($20 ).
1981
Friends for Mental Health is founded
1986
Founding member, Françoise Vien, of Friends for Mental Health, was instrumental in the creation of the FFAPAMM, a provincial umbrella of 43 family associations throughout the province of Quebec.
1990
FMH begins receiving funds from Centraide and the Régie régionale de la santé et des services sociaux. An office is opened, staff members are hired and a Respite Program is created.
1994
An employment program is started up for individuals with mental health problems. L'Équipe Entreprise is now an independent work program that is thriving.
1996
The Family Support Program was created. This began as a joint project with Perspective Communautaire when some services offered by the hospital were redistributed into the community. Two years later Friends took over completely to provide family counseling given by professional counselors. This program is continually expanding.
1999
Three board members went for training in Ontario to become leaders for NAMI's Family-to-Family Education Program. We are now offering the course once or twice a year where trained family members teach other family members all aspects relating to mental illness.
2001
FMH website began operating Creative Workshops (art therapy) as a different way to help family members cope with their loved one's illness.
2002
Marked the first of many Depression Screening Days that were initiated by FMH in collaboration with the different CLSCs, the Lakeshore General Hospital and other community organizations.
2003
FMH (with the assistance of Heritage Canada), produced a comprehensive 40 page guide entitled, "Coping With Mental Illness" for families and other resources in the West Island. The French version, "Apprivoiser la maladie mentale" was launched the following year. A new logo is developed, better suited to FMH's image.
2005
West Island Chamber of Commerce awarded FMH as the winner in the non profit organization working in social economy category.
2007
A Liaison Counselor is available on the premises of the Lakeshore General Hopsital once a week to provide support for families who have a mentally ill family member either awaiting evaluation in emergency or residing on the 4-East psychiatric ward. The Borderline Personality Training for Families begins, this psycho-educational program is geared for families who have a loved one with Boderline Personality Disorder.
2008
The High School Educational Awareness Program is initiated- a counselor goes into high schools and gives a presentation on mental illness, its symptoms, treatments and resources in their community.
Providing support to families to cope with a loved one's mental illness serving primarily the West Island of Montreal: Baie-d'Urfé, Beaconsfield,
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Dorval, Île-Bizard, Kirkland, Pierrefonds, Pointe-Claire, Roxboro, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Ste-Geneviève and Senneville.
