|
FAMILY GUIDE FOR THOSE
SUPPORTING PERSONS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
MENTAL HEALTH ACT
INFORMATION
Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care - Written
information is available through INFOline at 1-800-268-1154 (toll free) or TTY
1-800-387-5559 or documents downloaded in PDF format
Internet
sites -
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90m07_e.htm
-
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/mental/faq.html
Psychiatric Emergencies and the Law
-
Forms of the
Mental Health Act can be downloaded in PDF format
Internet site -
http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/AttachDocsPublish/014-6428-41~1/$File/6428-41_.pdf
Consent and Capacity
Board
- Information
sheets regarding preparing for and appearing before the Consent and Capacity
Board can be downloaded in PDF format
Internet site -
www.ccboard.on.ca
Community Legal Education Ontario
- Publications are
available in print or online and can be downloaded in PDF format, 119 Spadina
Avenue, Suite 600, Toronto M5V 2L1, (416) 408-4420
Internet site - www.cleo.on.ca
Rights Guides and Other
Information
-
Brochures may be ordered through Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office or
downloaded in PDF format, 55 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 802, Toronto M4V
2Y7, (416) 327-7000
-
PPAO: An
Advocacy and Rights Protection Program
-
Incapable to
Manage Property
-
Incapable to
Make Treatment Decisions
-
Making an
Informed Decision about your Treatment
-
Restraints
-
How to Complain
Against Health and Social Service Practitioners
-
Patients’ Rights
under the Mental Health Act
-
Patients’ Rights
under the Health Care Consent Act
Internet site - www.ppao.gov.on.ca
NOTE
Under the Charter of Rights
and Freedom Act, psychiatric patients, when charged with an offence, must be
given access to a lawyer without delay.
INTRODUCTION
This guide
was first produced in booklet form by The Family Initiative - a committee
formed within the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant County Branch.
We have revised it as an online resource to keep it current. We hope
readers will find this resource useful in their journey to supporting a family
member with mental illness.
EMERGENCY PHONE
NUMBERS
Brant Community Healthcare
System
24 Hour Mental Health Crisis
Line.................................................(519) 752-2273 (752-CARE)
Community Mental Health at
Brant Community Healthcare System..........(519) 751-5530
Children’s Aid Society of
Brant...............................................................................(519) 753-8681
Justice of the
Peace (8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.):.....................................................(519)
758-3469
Nova Vita Women’s Services
Crisis Line:.........................................................(519) 752-4357
OPP - County of
Brant:..............................................................................................1-888-310-1122
OPP - TTY
Only.........................................................................................................1-800-310-1133
Poison
Control............................................................................................................1-800-268-9017
Police, Fire,
Ambulance.................................................................................................................911
Police - Brantford
(administration):........................................................................(519)
756-7050
St. Leonard’s Community
Services Crisis Line .................................................(519) 759-7188
Sexual Assault Centre Crisis
Line...........................................................................(519) 751-3471
HELP LINES
AIDS
Hotline................................................................................................................1-800-668-2437
Consumer Health Information
Centre..................................................................1-800-667-1999
Crime
Stoppers..........................................................................................................1-800-222-8477
Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment
(D.A.R.T.).......................................1-800-565-8603
Kids Help
Phone........................................................................................................1-800-668-6868
Mental Health Service Information
Ontario........................................................1-866-531-2600
Ombudsman of
Ontario............................................................................................1-800-263-1830
Parent Help
Line........................................................................................................1-888-603-9100
Problem Gambling
Helpline..................................................................................1-888-230-3505
Psychiatric Patient Advocate
Office....................................................................1-800-578-2343
Schizophrenia Society of
Ontario.........................................................................1-800-449-6367
Telehealth
Ontario.....................................................................................................1-866-797-0000
HOUSING AND FOOD
SERVICES
Brantford Food
Bank, 110 Icomm
Drive...............................................................(519)
753-2883
Canadian Mental Health
Association, Brant County Branch.........................(519)
752-2998
Supported Housing
Program, Congregate living spaces, one- and
two-bedroom apartments with support.
Suite 203, 44 King St.
Canadian Red Cross,
Meals on
Wheels............................................................(519)
753-4189
25 William
Street
City of Brantford Housing
Department..................................................................(519) 759-3330
Geared to income
housing, 220 Colborne
St.
Community Resource &
Employment Centre....................................................(519) 751-4357
To obtain a food calendar for
free meals in the community, 102 - 1100 Clarence St. S.
Housing Resource
Centre.......................................................................................(519) 759-3330
Information & referrals for emergency
& permanent housing, 220 Colborne
St.
Nova Vita Women’s
Services................................................................................(519)
752-1005
Emergency shelter for women
& abused women and their children
St. Leonard's Community Services, Youth Resource
Centre.......................(519)
758-9644
Residential program for youth, 331
Dalhousie St.
Salvation Army Booth Centre
.................................................................................(519) 753-4193
Hostel for
men, 187 Dalhousie
St.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Brant Community Care Access
Centre.................................................................(519) 759-7752
Home care support,
274 Colborne St.
Brant Community Healthcare
System, Brantford General Site
Mental Health
Services, 225 St. Paul
Ave...........................................................(519)
751-5530
Brantford Vocational Training
Association.........................................................(519) 751-1694
Consumer/Survivor Initiative, 116 Dalhousie St.
-
Employment Programs (QuicKlean, Burning Memories)
-
Friend to Friend (Trained peer support volunteers)
-
Birds of a Feather (Peer support group)
-
Peer Support Workers
-
We Care (Peer support & personal care packages to mental health
inpatients)
Canadian Mental Health
Association, Brant County
Branch.........................(519)
752-2998
44 King St., Suite
203
-
Alternatives Activity
Centre
-
Community Support Services
(case management)
-
Court support & Diversion
-
Family
Support
-
Life skills
-
Mental Health
Promotion
-
Supported
Housing
-
Sustainable Employment
Initiative
-
Works for Me (vocational
support)
Contact
Brant................................................................................................................(519)
758-8228
Information & referral for children's
& developmental services 164 Colborne St. W.
Eating Disorder Services of
Brant.........................................................................(519) 752-5468
Education and support for
eating disorders, Brantford General, 211 Terrace
Hill St.
Family Counseling Centre of Brant........................................................................(519)
753-4173
Individual and family
counseling, credit counseling and anger management, 54 Brant Ave.
Geriatric Mental Health
Outreach Program........................................................(519) 752-3636
Mental health services for
individuals over 65, 442 Grey St., Unit
A
St. Joseph's Healthcare
Hamilton
Brant Assertive Community Treatment
Team...................................................(519) 752-2927
24-hr/365-day team support for persons with
serious mental health issues, 44 King St., Suite 204
St. Leonard's Community
Services, Mental Health & Addiction
Services(519) 754-0253
For people who are struggling
with addictions & mental health issues, 133 Elgin St.
Crisis
Line..........................................................................................................(519)
759-7188
Toll
Free...........................................................................................................1-866-811-7188
-
Addiction Counselling
-
Buffalo Street Residence
-
Mobile Crisis Response Service
-
Parent/Adolescent Support Program
-
SNAP (Stop Now and Plan)
-
Youth Anger Control Program
Schizophrenia Society of
Ontario, Hamilton Chapter
.....................................(905)
523-7413
Six Nations Mental Health
Services.....................................................................(905) 765-7840
Mental health services for
persons living on Six Nations
Victim Services of
Brant............................................................................................(519)
752-3140
Volunteers work with police to
assist persons in crisis, Brantford Police Station, 344
Elgin St.
Woodview Children's
Centre...................................................................................(519) 752-5308
Children's mental health centre, 201 - 233 Colborne
St.
SUPPORT GROUPS
"FAMILIES
CARING, FAMILIES SHARING"
is an ongoing support
group for families dealing with mental health issues. The group is
facilitated by family members who face the same challenges. The group
provides families with coping strategies and provides a support network. The
group is held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:00p.m. - 8:30p.m. at
Sydenham United church, Fellowship Room, 120 Sydenham Street, (corner of
Dundas & Sydenham St.) Brantford.
Please note: Meeting locations may be subject
to change. Please call 519-752-2998, ext. 112 before each date to confirm
location.
For more information, please contact the Canadian
Mental health Association at 519-752-2998, ext. 112, e-mail:
lill@cmhbrant.on.ca, or Pat
Buckley, Support Group Coordinator at 519-754-0134. e-mail:
familiessupportingfamilies@hotmail.com
Suicide
Bereavement Support Group of Brant
A support group for
persons who have lost family or friends to suicide. The group runs the third
Wednesday of each month, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Stedman Community
Hospice (behind the St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre) on Wayne Gretzky Parkway,
Brantford.
Please note: Meeting locations may be subject to
change. Please call 519-752-2998, ext. 112 before each date to confirm
location. For more information, or to register into the group,l call
519--752-2998, ext. 112.
Brant Community Healthcare
System, Anxiety & Phobic Support and Education Group
Anxiety education and assertive
& relaxation training....................................(519)
751-5530
Brantford Vocational Training
Association, Birds of a Feather Support
Group
Peer support group run by and for consumers
of mental health service..(519) 751-1694
CMHA and St. Leonard's
Community Services jointly provide:
The OASIS Group ............................................................................................(519)
752-2998 x122
For those with both mental
health and substance abuse issues, Meets weekly at 175 Dalhousie
St.
INCOME
MAINTENANCE
Ontario Disability Support
Program......................................................................(519) 756-5790
38 Darling
St.
Canada Pension Plan
Disability...........................................................................1-800-277-9914
Ontario Works
Brant...................................................................................................(519)
759-3330
220 Colborne
St.
Brant County Community Legal
Clinic...................................................................(519) 752-8669
Free legal assistance re
tenants’ rights, ODSP, E.I., WSIB, CPP
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL
SUPPORTS
Brantford
Vocational Training Association.........................................................(519)
751-1694
Consumer/survivor
businesses - QuicKlean, Burning Memories, 116 Dalhousie
St.
Canadian
Mental Health Association,
Brant County
Branch.........................(519)
752-2998
Works For Me
& Sustainable Employment Initiative, 44 King St.,
Suite 203
L. Tara Hooper &
Associates.................................................................................(519) 752-2000
321 Rawdon St.
Ontario March
of Dimes............................................................................................(519)
759-7852
110 Icomm
Drive
Ontario
Disability Support Program, Employment
Supports........................(519)
756-5790
38 Darling
St.
Vocational Incentive
Program................................................................................(519) 751-5530
DISTRESS CENTRES
Alcoholics
Anonymous..............................................................................................(519)
752-5981
Children’s Aid Society of Brant
County
-
Brantford.......................................................................................................................(519)
753-8681
-
Ohsweken...................................................................................................................(519)
445-2247
Sexual Assault Centre of
Brant...............................................................................(519)
751-1164
Victim Services of
Brant,
344 Elgin
St...................................................................(519)
752-3140
MEDICAL CLINICS
Brantford Urgent Care
225 Fairview
Dr.............................................................................................................(519)
753-9581
Gané Yohs
Community Health Centre,
Ohsweken..........................................(519)
445-2252
Sexual Health Clinic, Brant
County Health Unit.................................................(519)
753-4937
194 Terrace Hill
St.
Terrace Hill Walk-In
Clinic.......................................................................................(519)
759-7425
217 Terrace Hill
St.
Willett Hospital,
Paris.................................................................................................(519)
442-2251
238 Grand River St. N.,
Paris.
WARNING SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
Depending on severity of the depression,
a person may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
-
Changes in appetite and
weight.
-
Sleep problems, waking up
early, sleeping too little or too much, having difficulty going to
sleep.
-
Extreme fatigue; feeling tired
all the time, even without having worked, and despite rest.
-
Lack of motivation;
procrastination.
-
Decreased effectiveness or
productivity.
-
Inability to feel pleasure,
emotional flatness, empty feeling inside.
-
Either agitation or loss of
energy; restless or too tired and weak to do anything.
-
Unusual weeping, sobbing,
tearfulness, despairing, sadness.
-
Desire for solitude, social
withdrawal.
-
Feelings of hopelessness and
helplessness.
-
Fearful or
anxious.
-
Feelings of self-blame,
worthlessness and/or guilt.
-
Difficulty concentrating on
work, reading, TV or hobbies; scattered attention.
-
Difficulty making decisions,
even small ones.
-
Recurrent thoughts of death,
dying, or committing suicide.
-
Preoccupation with failure(s)
and loss of self-esteem.
-
Non-verifiable physical
illness.
Treatment for Depression
Depression is the most treatable of
mental illnesses. If not treated, depression can last for many months or even
years.
-
Counseling - works with
individuals or their families to help them cope with the problems and stresses
encountered in life. Counseling is carried out by social workers, marriage and
family therapists or pastoral counselors.
-
Medications - are
prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists. Ask the doctor how the medication
works, how long before they take effect, and what the side effects are. People
should work with their doctor to make sure medications are working properly,
taken as directed and in the correct dosage. Don’t stop taking medication
without consulting your doctor.
-
Self-Help Groups - consist of people who provide mutual support by sharing experiences, coping
skills and information. Groups for friends and family, as well as individuals
with personal experience, are helpful.
-
Psychotherapy - is
conducted by mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or certified
psychologists, who help the person understand the illness, solve problems and
manage stressful situations. Cognitive therapy focuses on understanding and
overcoming distorted and negative thinking. Interpersonal therapy concentrates
on building healthy personal relationships.
-
Support of Family and
Friends - can help by treating depression the same as a physical illness.
Try not to criticize, push, patronize, lose your temper or be a rescuer.
Listen, support and provide sympathetic understanding.
Depression Medication
Antidepressant drugs increase
neurotransmission in the brain. Neurotransmitters carry messages within the
brain and body and are involved in many bodily functions, e.g. regulation of
mood, sleep and appetite. It usually takes 4-6 weeks and sometimes up to 10
weeks before the treatment is effective. Appetite, energy level, and sleeping
patterns may improve before one’s mood does. Others may notice improvement
before the patient does.
WARNING SIGNS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
A person may:
-
Lose interest in usual
pursuits.
-
Withdraw from friends and
family members.
-
Become easily confused, have
difficulty concentrating.
-
Feel listless and
apathetic.
-
Spend most of the day alone in
his/her room.
-
Become intensely preoccupied
with body, health, philosophy or religion.
-
Use words that make no
sense.
-
Hear voices or non-existent sounds, or have unusual sensations
of taste or smell.
-
Experience sleepiness and
agitation; frequently reverse night and daytime activities.
-
Have a suspicion of being
watched or followed.
-
Demonstrate minor changes in
personality.
-
Lose all interest in schoolwork
or hobbies.
-
Show little or no emotion.
-
Be angry or afraid of loved ones for no apparent
reason.
These symptoms may remain unchanged,
become continuous or lead to an acute
episode.
TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
Treatment for schizophrenia involves
both medication and supportive counseling. Depending upon the severity of the
symptoms, someone with schizophrenia may be treated as an out-patient or,
sometimes, as an in-patient at a hospital. Families have found that it is
important for both the person and his/her family supports to understand what
is involved in treatment and to take an active role in planning the most
suitable course.
Medications
The second generation of
anti-psychotic drugs, called "atypicals", which were introduced about 10 years
ago, include risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), clozapine
(Clozaril), and quetiapine (Seroquel). Compared with conventional
anti-psychotics, atypicals improve cognitive function in many patients with
fewer adverse affects. The atypicals may help patients maintain their
therapeutic regimen and decrease relapses related to
non-compliance.
Neuroleptics block receptors for the
brain chemical, dopamine, on dopamine-transmitting nerve cells. Dopamine
is one of the brain’s neurotransmitters and carries messages from certain
specific nerve cells to other specific cells in the brain. Evidence is
accumulating that some people with schizophrenia may either have too many
dopamine receptors, or else have receptors that are overly sensitive to
dopamine. Because of this, the brain of a person who has schizophrenia may
receive too many messages along these pathways. These extra messages may
compete in some way with signals transmitted through other chemical pathways,
and may result in the production of psychotic symptoms.
In North
America, there are about 30 varieties of neuroleptics in common
use.
WARNING SIGNS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER
The following symptoms of bipolar
disorder can persist on the average from 1 to 3 months:
-
Inflated sense of
self-importance and self-confidence.
-
Decreased need for sleep; may
only sleep for a couple of hours a night.
-
Jumping from one topic to
another and/or talking more, and faster, than usual.
-
Racing thoughts occurring
almost simultaneously.
-
Overreacting to stimuli,
misinterpreting events and being easily distracted.
-
Excessive social, physical, and
mental activities.
-
Going on buying sprees, being sexually indiscrete, making unwise
business investments, or incurring heavy debts.
-
Having excessive energy, making
it difficult to concentrate on a single subject for very
long.
-
Exhibiting moods that affect
the person’s job performance or relationships with others.
-
Experiencing rapid,
unpredictable emotional changes; happy one minute and angry the
next.
-
Refusing treatment because the
person may not recognize that he/she is ill.
-
Blaming others for everything
that goes wrong; difficult to reason with.
-
Losing touch with reality,
perhaps hearing voices (hallucinations), or having strange ideas
(delusions).
Modern Treatment of
Bipolar Disorder
Treatment
for Bipolar Disorder depends upon the symptoms, the severity and duration of
the illness, the possible precipitating causes (stressors) and previous
responses to treatment. Treatment may include one or any combination of
medication, electro-convulsive therapy, and
psychotherapy.
Medication - The
response to medication varies. Some people respond to short term medication
while others need a longer-term regimen. Still others may need to take
medication for the rest of their lives, much like people with diabetes who
take insulin. Three groups of medications are used for the treatment of
Bipolar Disorder: anti-depressants, tranquilizers and mood
stabilizers.
Electro-Convulsive
Therapy (ECT) - This procedure has evolved into a safe option
without the severe side effects individuals faced years ago. ECT has the
highest success rate for the treatment of severe depression and is ordinarily
given three times a week. The average number of treatments is between eight
and twelve, although it could be more or less depending on individual needs.
Because as many as 20 to 50 percent of the people who respond well to ECT
relapse within six months of the treatment, it is not unusual for a person to
be maintained on anti-depressants, mood stabilizers or ECT (every 4 to 6
weeks).
Psychotherapy - consists
of a dialogue between patient and therapist in a supportive environment where
there is respectful attention on the part of the therapist to the patient and
his/her issues. Such therapy can also take place within the context of a
group. In the case of patients with Bipolar Disorder, discussion may initially
focus on such issues as feelings about the illness itself, what it means to
the person to have to take medication, the temptation to deny the illness and
the impact of the illness on self-esteem, interpersonal relations and work.
Attention may be focused later on more general issues of lifestyle, marital
and family relations, or any other matters the individual wishes to
explore.
WHAT EXACTLY
ARE
ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Anxiety disorders are a group of
disorders, which affect behaviour, thoughts, emotions and physical
health. Research into their origins continues, but it is believed they
are caused by a combination of biological factors and an individual’s personal
circumstances, much like other health problems, such as heart disease or
diabetes.
Panic Disorder
- As the name
suggests, panic disorder is expressed in panic attacks, which occur without
warning, accompanied by sudden feelings of terror. Physically, an attack may
cause chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath, dizziness,
abdominal discomfort, feelings of unreality and fear of dying. When a
person avoids situations that he/she fears may cause a panic attack, the
condition is described as panic disorder with agoraphobia.
Phobias - Phobias are divided into two
categories: social phobia, which involves fear of social situations, and
specific phobias, such as fear of flying, the sight of blood or
heights.
Social Phobia - People with social phobia feel a
paralyzing, irrational self-consciousness about social situations. They have
an intense fear of being observed, or of doing something horribly wrong in
front of other people. The feelings are so extreme that people with social
phobia tend to avoid objects or situations that might stimulate that fear,
which dramatically reduces their ability to lead a normal
life.
Specific Phobias
- Fear of
flying, heights and open spaces are some typical specific phobias. People
suffering from a specific phobia are overwhelmed by unreasonable fears, which
they are unable to control. Exposure to feared situations can cause them
extreme anxiety and panic, even if they recognize that their fears are
illogical.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- A terrifying
experience in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened, can
cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Survivors of rape, child abuse, war or a
natural disaster may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Common symptoms
include flashbacks, during which the person re-lives the terrifying
experience, nightmares, depression and feelings of anger or
irritability.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder -
This is a
condition in which people suffer from persistent, unwanted thoughts
(obsessions) and/or rituals (compulsions) which they find impossible to
control. Typically, obsessions concern contamination, doubting (such as
worrying that the iron hasn’t been turned off) and disturbing sexual or
religious thoughts. Compulsions include washing, checking, organizing
and counting.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder -
Characterized
by repeated, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities. This
disorder lasts at least six months, during which time the person is affected
by extreme worry more days than not. The individual anticipates the worst,
even if others would say they have no reason to expect it. Physical symptoms
can include nausea, trembling, fatigue, muscle tension or
headache.
HOW CAN ANXIETY DISORDERS BE
TREATED?
There are two main medical approaches
to treating an anxiety disorder: (1) drug therapy and (2)
cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Combining the two types of
treatment can be effective.
Because most anxiety disorders have at
least some biological component, antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are
generally prescribed. It is important to
inquire about possible side effects of any
medication.
Therapeutic strategies can be
effective in reducing symptoms in each of the anxiety disorders. The
techniques used include cognitive restructuring, to help people turn their
anxious thoughts, interpretations and predictions into thoughts that are more
rational and less anxious. People with anxiety disorders may also
benefit from controlled exposure to feared objects or
situations.
Specific CBT techniques have been
developed to help assist with particular anxiety disorders. People with panic
disorder, for instance, can benefit from breathing retraining, which shows
them how to slow their breathing and use meditation when they are feeling
anxious.
Support groups and educational
resources can also be included in treatment. Anxiety disorders place a great
burden on the individuals affected, their families and friends. Learning
all you can about the particular condition touching your life can help you
develop tools for living with an anxiety disorder, or living with someone who
has an anxiety disorder. A proper diagnosis is the key to putting a person
with an anxiety disorder on the right treatment path.
HELPFUL
INFORMATION
Should it be necessary to
involve the Police or a Hospital Emergency Department, the following information
would be useful. (It may be wise to have this completed and available in a
safe place.)
PLEASE PRINT
Name:
..............................................................
Birth Date:
...........................................................................
Telephone:
........................................................................
Health Card
#: ...................................................................
Allergies:..............................................................................
Family
Doctor: ...................................................................
Psychiatrist:
........................................................................
Current
Medication & Doses:........................................
........................................................................
........................................................................
Emergency
Contact Person: ........................................
Other information such as details of
prior hospitalization would be helpful.
The contents of this website have
been derived from
a variety of reliable sources for
information purposes
only. It is not intended to replace
any information or
instructions given to you by your
medical practitioners.
NOTE: If there is inaccurate or
outdated information on this guide that needs to be revised feel free to
contact us at reception@cmhabrant.on.ca with the updated information and we will
update the site accordingly. If there is any information that is not found
in this guide that you feel would be beneficial to others, please feel free
to email us the information with the subject header Family guide addition.
|
