Friends for Mental Health offers the following  meetings and services:

Conferences: Guest Speakers discuss the most recent information on a variety of subjects related to mental illness. A question period follows. Presentations are usually bilingual and free.

Support Groups: Participants share their experiences and concerns on a given aspect of the mental illness of a relative. It is an occasion to share information, find solace, encouragement and support.

Borderline Personality Disorder Training for Families: Friends is pleased to offer families who have a loved one with a borderline personality disorder, a psycho-educational program created by Hélène Busque, a psychologist, entitled, “To love and help someone suffering from a Borderline Personality Disorder, a challenge that can be achieved!” This program aims at informing families on the disorder, how it presents itself and its challenges and encourages families to put in place changes that will improve their quality of life as well as that of the ill person. (Free, In English & French) .

Nami Course: This twelve week educational course entitled Family-to Family, deals with aspects of mental illness and is designed for caregivers who have a mentally ill loved one.  The course is taught by specially trained family members and examines issues such as: the biology of the brain, critical periods and transitions in mental illness, how to communicate with the ill person, recovery and the fight against stigmatization, etc.  It also encourages individuals to share their family experiences and derive new ways of solving problems in order to deal more effectively with their family circumstances.

Presentations: These are smaller groups where a guest speaker offers practical information on topics in relation to mental illness. As with the conferences, there is a question period and they’re bilingual and free.

Documentation Centre: Friends for Mental Health has a collection of books, publications, periodicals and videos available for use by members. This library has reference works on mental illness, treatments and medications. We also have biographies and testimonies describing personal mental illness experiences which are full of practical information. There are also specialized books on psychology and psychiatry, and information on community resources. Become a member and consult our library!

A newsletter is published and sent to members four times a year. The Friendly Link lists FMH activities and local resources. It also reports on important happenings relating to mental health in the community. Also Press Releases are sent regularly to institutions and local resources. Become a member and receive the FRIENDLY LINK!

Institutions or community groups wishing to receive our releases detailing our activities are welcome to contact us.

Our family support program provides personalized help on a short-or-long-term basis to families experiencing a difficult period or in a transitional phase. The assistance provided is based on the challenges the family faces and fills precise needs.

It includes:
*  Education and life strategies.
*  Psychological support for whole family.
*  Better understanding of family dynamics.
*  Information about resources.
*  Identifying the strengths of the family to better cope.

If you have a family member who is having mental difficulties and you need support or information then call us! We will arrange for a counsellor to meet with you and your family.

Hospital Liaison: WE’RE AT THE HOSPITAL! Friends for Mental Health is initiating a pilot project whereby a Liaison Counsellor, Warren Copeland, will be available on the premises of the Lakeshore General Hospital to provide support for families who have a mentally ill family member either waiting evaluation in emergency or residing on the 4-East psychiatric ward. By providing family education and support to family members, it is hoped that families will have timely access to information that will help them deal more effectively with the challenges facing them. Research has shown that family education may not only significantly reduce relapse rates, but it can also help those affected with mental health problems regain some autonomy and employment potential that were affected during their illness. The Liaison Counsellor will be available every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

When a family member suffers from mental illness, that family faces unique daily problems and responsibilities. These can at times seem insurmountable and be a source of ongoing stress. Families can thus find themselves not only overwhelmed but also isolated because they are unable to confide their problems for fear of being stigmatized by prejudice.

Our respite program's objectives focus on helping families cope with these special problems by providing relief from physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Our aim is to reduce the sense of isolation they feel. Our respite services are tailored to the needs of each family. Some services focus on family members so they can talk about their problems, meet other people in similar situations, or simply to go out and relax.  Some services are offered to the people suffering from mental illness who often have limited and difficult social contacts. It gives them an opportunity to meet other people while offering respite to family members.

These services can include:

*  Home or hospital visits.
*  Escorts for outings, for doctor's appointments or to     groups offering social or community services.

Group activities can include:

*  Community meals, outings to restaurants.
* Cultural or leisure activities - museums, theatre,      nature centres.
*   Day or weekend camps.
*   Special events.

Art Therapy Workshops: We also offer creative workshops for caregivers. Participants will explore the difficulties related to mental illness as well as their thoughts and feelings and how to better cope by using their inner strengths.  Sharing with others and being in a supportive environment will allow them to find new strategies and to break their isolation.