ON-BPD News | 2018, Issue 3
Following are some news stories from us, as well as some bulletins we've received from our partners that may be of interest to you.
Updates from the Ottawa Network for Borderline Personality Disorder:
News from our Partners:
- Free Walk-in Counselling Clinics
- Psychiatric Survivors Drop-Ins
- ALL the Support Groups!
- Webinars about BPD
- New Support Group in Lanark
- #erasethedifference to Save Lives
- NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program
If you have news that would be of interest to us or our members, please send it to webservices@on-bpd.ca.
Continuing Connections: Last Call!
Reminder: Our next Continuing Connections session will take place on Saturday, May 26.
Continuing Connections is an invitation-only half-day workshop delivered quarterly to graduates who have completed the 12-week Family Connections® course. The main objectives of Continuing Connections are to develop a support network for family members experiencing similar situations and to practice the Family Connections skills in a safe, supportive environment. The 2018 Continuing Connections workshops will focus on the following skills:
VALIDATION: Saturday, February 24, 2018 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm — already conducted
RADICAL ACCEPTANCE: Saturday, May 26, 2018 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
RELATIONSHIP MINDFULNESS: Saturday, October 20, 2018 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
If you are a graduate of the Family Connections program or a trained facilitator, and do not receive an email invitation to attend approximately two weeks before the proposed dates, please send an email to karen@on-bpd.ca and an Eventbrite invitation link will be sent to you.
Words to the Wise (Mind)
by Wynn Anne
In this section of our newsletter, I will begin sharing some nuggets of wisdom that I've come across.
"Wise mind" is a concept we teach in Family Connections. It refers to the balance of our rational mind (logic, planning, practicality) with our emotional mind (feelings, reactions, fears, desires).
There is a time and place for each of these "minds." For example, in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy needed this lesson when his first marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet was entirely devoid of emotion and thoroughly grounded in practical matters — many of them unflattering to his object of affection. He was suitably rejected. But he learned his lesson, and his winning proposal was filled with heartfelt emotion.
To see what I mean about the awkwardness of Darcy's first proposal watch (and cringe at) the YouTube clip.
One of the first lessons I have learned when it comes to wise mind is to consider whether the timing is right for a difficult conversation with my loved one. For both of us, that means knowing when to HALT!
If I haven't eaten in hours, if I'm really upset, if I'm depressed, or if I'm just tired – all signs point to addressing the issue later. Sometimes it's only a cup of tea later, but not now!
Likewise, if my loved one has just come in from work and is "hangry", if she's struggling to control stacked emotions, or has broken up with a boyfriend, then my concerns about her doing the dishes will just have to wait. Better we should sit down and have a healthy, non-emotional meal.
In a HALT state, we are unlikely to be able to access our wise mind. We are more likely to go directly to our personal dominant mind, whether that is rational or emotional. We are less likely to listen and more likely to invalidate our loved one's feelings or opinions.
Wynn Anne is a Family Connections leader.
News From Our Partners
Free Walk-In Counselling Clinic
Do you need someone to talk to? Trained, professional counsellors offer support for life challenges. No appointment necessary. Counselling to individuals, couples and families. Everyone is welcome! Three convenient Ottawa locations.
Cost: FREE.
Website: http://www.walkincounselling.com
Psychiatric Survivors Drop-in Family Support Groups
Every second week Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa offers conversation topics such as communication strategies, boundaries, letting go of control, and managing guilt. Join them for a cup of coffee, and a snack, as well as a sense of community, companionship and support. Please see group details below.
Group description: an ongoing weekly drop-in, family support group for Friends and Family of people experiencing mental health challenges. Free of charge. No registration required. The atmosphere is very relaxing, supportive and non-judgmental.
Upcoming Schedule
Jun 4, 2018 Open Discussion, Sharing and Support
Jun 11, 2018 The Art of Extreme Self-Care
Jun 18, 2018 Open Discussion, Sharing and Support
Jun 25, 2018 How to Manage Life Changes Effectively
Jul 2, 2018 Statutory Holiday. Closed
Jul 9, 2018 Open Discussion, Sharing and Support
Jul 16, 2018 Laughing and Allowing Joy
Jul 23, 2018 Open Discussion, Sharing and Support
Jul 30, 2018 Boundaries – What Do I Need to Change?
Where: 211 Bronson Ave Rm. 215, Ottawa, K1R 6H5 *
When: Every Monday 6:30-8:30 pm (statutory holidays excluded)
Cost: free. No registration required, everyone is welcome.
Coffee/tea and snacks are provided.
For more information, please contact:
Guy St. Jean (613-567-4379 x 116) email: GuyS@pso-ottawa.ca or
Beata Ziolkowski (613-567-4379 x 123) email: BeataZ@pso-ottawa.ca
*Free evening parking (after 3 pm) available behind the Bronson Centre building off of Nepean St.
Find out more about PSO here.
ALL the Support Groups
Looking for support? The Royal Mental Health Centre has compiled a directory of family support services for those who have an adult family member struggling with mental health issues. You’re sure to find one that meets your needs.
These groups cover the area under the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, which is the health authority responsible for regional administration of public healthcare services in the Ottawa region.
Download – and print – the calendar here.
McLean Hospital Patient and Family Education Initiative – Webinars
The McLean Hispital’s Borderline Personality Disorder Patient and Family Education Initiative launched in 2015 to provide interactive and on-demand resources to support individuals and families affected by borderline personality disorder (BPD). The following webinar is the next in their series.
I Want to Understand: An In-Depth Approach to Validation of Your Loved One with Borderline Personality Disorder
Thursday, June 7, 2018 4:00:00 PM EDT - 5:00:00 PM EDT
This webinar, led by Candace K. Eddy, LICSW, Dialectical Behavior Therapist, will provide an overview of the effects of validation vs. invalidation on emotion dysregulation. In addition, the speaker will provide education and examples of the various levels of validation.
To view archived or to find out about upcoming webinars, visit their website here.
New Support Group in Lanark
Speaking of support groups, there is a new family peer support group in Lanark county!
Location: Lanark Community Programs, 30 Bennett Street, Carleton Place
Date: third Monday of the month: June 18th, July 16 & August 20
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Description: Please join us for discussions on various topics for family caregivers with loved ones facing mental health challenges. If you are looking for a supportive environment and an opportunity to learn, share common experiences and grow in recovery together, then this is the group for you. Registration not necessary.
Fee: Free
For more information contact: Linda Camponi camponi@storm.ca or Ed McEwen edmcewen@ymail.com
#erasethedifference to Save Lives
It’s time to “erase the difference” and demand funding for mental health and addictions care the same as we do for physical health care.
For decades, mental health and addictions services in communities throughout Ontario have been chronically underfunded compared to other parts of the health system. The result: the mental health and addictions system is crumbling. It’s impossible to meet the needs of Ontarians.
Make your voice heard before this upcoming election on June 7!
Sign the petition to #erasethedifference.
After you sign, spread the word about the need for mental health and addictions care. A new toolkit is now available to help individuals or organizations spread the word about Erase the Difference in their community.
The toolkit includes:
- Social media posts and graphics, like the one above this post, to share on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
- A banner and article to post on your organization website or blog
- Printable poster and flyer to distribute in your community
Download and use the resources and share them with others. (The picture at the top of this section is just one of many that they provide in their kit.)
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program
This is a 12-week course for families supporting individuals with mental health challenges. The course is offered at no cost and taught by trained family members who are volunteers. Courses in Ottawa are generally offered in the fall and the spring each year.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Their program is so popular that it is now available in many regions in Canada.
To register, call: 613.737.7791 or email f2fontario@bell.net.
