Empowerment Council celebrated 25 years this April! Amita Dhanda (Keynote): Persons with disabilities have worked to get a voice at the table, using identity politics; however, this is not enough to achieve inclusion.
Need to have dialogue between persons with/without disabilities and across other identities to create real inclusion.
Distinction between hearing and listening. When we speak, we need listeners (rather than tokenistic presence at a consultation)
Chris Higgins: There is a disconnect between the ways services are funded and the consumer survivor: Because CS are not the buyer, we do not have the power that consumers have at a store or the open market.
To measure service success / quality you need to measure emotional and psychological well-being. CS perspectives on outcomes.
David Reville: discussed history of CS movement, initiatives, and resources. And changes of language.
Zoe Dodd: harm reduction means reducing the harm from the war on drugs and drug prohibition . And the harm from racist policies (Natives & alcohol, Chinese workers & Opium, Black people & crack)
Substance users have developed expertise, critiques, groups. This is a political struggle not just a public health issue.
More in future Bulletins—notes and any mistakes by Tim Brown
Shelters ongoing struggle: Page 1 of 10, Bulletin 299, May 1, 2005
50 beds gone as shelter closes Central Neighbourhood House’s 50-bed shelter on Jarvis Street closed on April 26th as its lease was expiring. “Unfortunately, the shelter’s closing coincides with the end of the Out of the Cold program that in the winter months sleeps about 120 people every night….That will mean more people jamming into the shelter system.” Article by Catherine Porter, City Hall Reporter, Toronto Star, Tuesday, April 26, 2005, page B5)
Note the seasonal shelter struggle continues as ice storms can arrive after planned closings. And at the same time, consumer survivors want to have housing rather than unhealthy shelters.
…part of the consumer survivor ongoing timeline…stay tuned
Consumer Survivor Initiative Network—New Project and Report:
POWER OF CHANGE TOGETHER: BUILDING THE MOVEMENT
The Toronto Central LHIN-funded Consumer Survivor Initiative Network, which is currently comprised of Working for Change and A-Way, has been created to support allied organizations and stakeholders
Vision: We envision a world, and in particular a country and a province, where consumer survivors and people with lived experience in mental health and addictions and poverty have full access and entitlements to every resource, service and policy influence as other citizens – to thrive and realize their full potential with dignity and respect.
Possible Mission #1: We support consumer survivors and people with lived experience in mental health and addictions and poverty and related organizations to be the driving force in challenging systems of oppression in public policy, services, education and employment and co-create new realities.
Possible Mission #2: We convene, educate and support consumer survivors and people with lived experience in mental health and addictions and poverty to work collectively to create the changes we need to realize our full potential with dignity and respect.
Follow-up meeting: Thursday May 10th, 2018 5:30 PM- 9 PM at Friends House on 60 Lowther Avenue ( just steps from the St. George Subway Station, Bedford Road Exit).
Right to housing
We will have more information about the April 30th Right to Housing forum in the next Bulletin. Until then, you can still comment on the national housing strategy:
Announcing June 2018 Toronto Tenant School: Registration is Now Open! Spots are limited so register today!
Are you a tenant living in Toronto? Do you have questions about your rights under the law? Have you ever thought of working with your neighbours to start a tenants association? Does your tenant association want to become more effective in the building?
The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations is pleased to once again offer its tenant school, running for two full days on June 2 and 9, 2018!
The training is free and classes are taught by experienced lawyers and community advocates. Learn about your rights under the law such as how to get repairs done, fight evictions and challenge unfair rent increases. The school is an opportunity to meet other tenants and strategize about ways you can work with each other and work with your local government to accomplish shared goals.
Registration is now open-and remains open to May 15, 2018! Please sign up as space is limited. Signing up has never been easier! You can register in the following ways:
Call 416-413-9442 or write to totenantschool@torontotenants.org to obtain a registration form or fill out the online registration form available at:
Starting April 30, 2018 landlords of most private market rental units will be required to use this form (lease) when they enter into a tenancy with a tenant. There are 14 mandatory sections. Any additions have to be approved by the renter and the landlord. Some common terms that landlords may attempt to add to a lease, but which are void and unenforceable, include:
A requirement that a tenant pays a damage deposit;
A ban on guests, roommates or additional occupants;
A “no pets” clause.
Contact the Landlord and Tenant Board by calling 1-888-332-3234 to learn more about your rights and responsibilities under the RTA.
On June 7 Ontarians will head to the polls for the general election. You can help to make sure that improving public health care for all in a key issue in the election. We will be providing resources and support to ask all the political parties to make key commitments to improve access to care in our public hospitals and long-term care, build a public non-profit home care system and improve access, expand public non-profit primary care, improve democracy in health care and more. Local health coalitions are holding all candidates’ debates in towns across Ontario. Here is the first set of resources and more will follow.
//www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/june-7-ontario-election-resources/
The best way to learn civic campaign skills is on the campaign trail. This session gets you started and provides a roadmap for participation in the 2018 municipal election.
Learn Campaign Fundamentals
So you’re ready to get involved in an election campaign, but want to decide where to focus your energy? Learn municipal campaign fundamentals, and understand what campaigns need.
Hear from the experts
Meet a panel of local campaign leaders and hear what they look for in volunteers and how to make the most out of your campaign experience.
Join a Campaign
We’re making an open call to all local school board and city council campaigns to attend this session and meet participants. Interactive group workshops will allow participants to meet campaign teams and sign on.
What you will get?
All workshop participants will receive the following:
A copy of DemocracyKit Civic Campaign Guide
Introductions to local candidates, campaigns and experts
Access to 2018 municipal campaign training programs and events
How are you getting support?
Phone lines and Support Programs. Thinking beyond 911. Have you used any of these services? Let us know by email and comments bulletin@soundtimes.com.
Call 211
211 can direct you to lots of resources for support in the community [The biggest resource directory]
You can even text from your cellphone 21166
Check out the category of distress lines for more options: //www.211toronto.ca/
ConnexOntario operates a helpline 1-866-531-2600 that provides health services information for people experiencing problems with gambling, drugs, alcohol, and/or mental illness: Helpful, supportive Information and Referral Specialists answer all calls, emails or webchat requests 24/7. Our service is free and confidential. We can:
provide contact information for services and supports to meet the caller’s specific needs
listen, offer support and provide strategies to help people meet their goals
provide basic education about gambling, drugs, alcohol, and or mental health problems
//www.connexontario.ca/
Distress Centre
If you are in crisis, feeling suicidal or need emotional support, please call (415)408-HELP line at 416-408-4357. If this is an emergency – please call 911. You can learn more and access the chat and other services //www.torontodistresscentre.com/canadian-suicide-prevention-service/
408-HELP line provides:
Emotional support service for those with chronic mental health problems
Support & crisis intervention services for those currently experiencing distress or crisis
Family violence response
Suicide prevention services
Progress Place
Warm Line 416-960-9276 ; 416-960-WARM www.progressplace.org
Mon-Fri 8 am-8 pm * Sat-Sun, holidays 11 am-8 pm * Warm Line — call Mon-Sun 8 pm-12 midnight, or text or chat Fri-Sun 8 pm-12 midnight, including holidays
Anishnawbe Health Toronto. Gerrard Street Site
179 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5A 2E5
Office phone 416-920-2605
Crisis phone First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line – 1-855-242-3310
Email info@aht.ca Website www.aht.ca Hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
BounceBack Ontario
For your information the Provincial Government is funding this new program
Briefly: Need referral from primary care (Dr, Nurse). Coach connects with you within 5 days. Study and use workbooks with a Coach (not a therapist, coaches have 3 months training). The work books are based on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). BounceBack is suitable for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress.
BounceBack is a guided self-help program in which a coach supports you in working through a series of workbooks aimed at improving your emotional well-being. Once your family doctor or nurse practitioner refers you to the program, you will be contacted by one of our coaches within five days to schedule a telephone appointment.
The program usually involves three to six telephone sessions with a coach, which you can do from the comfort of your home. Popular topics include: being assertive, changing unhelpful thinking, and overcoming sleep problems.
Your coach will guide you through the program materials, step by step. Their role is to help you develop new skills, keep you motivated, and monitor how you’re doing. Because BounceBack coaches are not clinicians, they don’t provide counselling. Coaches are extensively trained in the BounceBack program, which is effective in relieving mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
Telephone coaching is available in multiple languages.
For your information the Provincial Government is funding an online peer support program:
Big White Wall is an online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programs, creative outlets and a community that cares. When you’re dealing with everyday stressors or major life events, we’ll help you get through it.
Discover a new approach towards wellbeing that is available anytime anywhere
Anonymous peer support
24/7 moderation by clinically trained ‘Wall Guides’
Self-guided courses
Self-improvement tools and resources
Safe space to express yourself without judgement
//www.bigwhitewall.ca
– Update –
CALL FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
As part of a study called Exploring the Use of Leverage to Enhance Adherence to Treatment in Community Mental Health Services, we would like to discuss your experience with community mental health services to understand how often patients receiving community mental health services feel pressured to accept mental health treatment and how these pressures impact patient experiences.
We will be doing a survey with approximately 150 people who receive services from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), St. Michael’s Hospital, and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto (CMHA). This study has research ethics approval from Saint Michael’s Hospital and CAMH.
A small honorarium and two tokens will be provided after completing the survey.
You may be eligible to participate if you are:
•Currently receiving outpatient treatment (have been receiving mental health services for at least the past 6 months with at least one appointment over this time period) at CAMH, CMHA or SMH
•Over 18 and under 65
If you are interested in learning more about this study, please call the Research Coordinator at 416-864-6060 x77359 or email pillingm@smh.ca
You are eligble if you are an adult living in Toronto and in receipt of Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and not receiving transportation supports equal to or greater than $100 in the current month (i.e. Employment or Medical Related) through OW or ODSP.
How to apply
To apply for the Fair Pass Discount Program, you must complete and sign an application and consent form. Completed forms can be submitted by mail, fax, or in-person at any of the following Toronto Employment & Social Services (TESS) locations.
Have you had accessibility issues on the TTC?
Contact the AODA Alliance which will use your experiences to advocate for more accessible. AODA means the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. At a minimum, the government should not be buying or creating new things that are inaccessible for example physically inaccessible streetcars, gates, broken elevators, visually inaccesible Presto Machines that are inaccessible to people with vision impairments).
You can always send your feedback to us on any AODA and accessibility issue at aodafeedback@gmail.com. Our Facebook page and Twitter @AODAAlliance.
To report an AODA violation to the Government, call 1-866-515-2025.
TTY: 1-800-268-7095
Did you know? You can get Naloxone for free
Did you know? You can get Naloxone for free from most pharmacies (with health card) and at mental health and addiction agencies.
Get it today for you and your friends. Save a life.
Safe injection sites: Toronto Public Health (The Works), Queen West-Central Toronto Community Health Centre, South Riverdale Community Health Centre. Fred Victor at 45 Queen Street location.
Moss Park Overdose Prevention site by the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society, which demonstrated and advocated successfully for safe injection spaces.
And now the RPHC’s Overdose Prevention Site (Regent Park Community Health Centre 465 Dundas St East at Parliament 416-203-4506)
Tuesday 12:00-6:30, Wednesday 12:00-6:30, Thursday 9:30-4:00 (only women identified and trans* people may access OPS on Thursdays trans=transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, non binary, genderqueer and/or gender diverse).
Kensington Market – St. Stephen’s Community House 260 Augusta Ave (416) 964-8747.
Sunday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Smart Recovery
With our SMART Recovery® 4 Point Program We provide solutions for all types of addictive behaviours: substance abuse including alcohol and drugs, gambling, food and sex addiction and other compulsive activities. ph 416-628-9185 or email: info@smartrecoverytoronto.com . Check out the Toronto Smart Recovery Schedule
//smartrecoverytoronto.com/meetings Central organization //www.smartrecovery
Did you do your taxes?
Due on April 30th. It is never too late. City of Toronto can help: //www.toronto.ca/community-people/employment-social-support/employment-support/employment-related-events/2017-income-tax-preparation-clinics/
The Older Women’s Network (OWN) is a nonprofit feminist organization that is a “Voice for Mid-Life and Older Women Learning and Working Together.” Throughout its history, OWN has joined with others to advocate for a national housing strategy and to encourage provincial and municipal authorities to increase their support for affordable housing
//olderwomensnetwork.org/advocacy
Training Programs
STAR Program and Peer Support Training through OPDI.
STAR Program
Supporting Transitions and Recovery (STAR) Learning Centre
star.stmichaelshospital.com
From their website:
This program provides a safe and welcoming environment that helps people discover or rediscover activities that are meaningful to them. It also provides opportunities for people to develop the skills they need to secure or maintain stable housing.
STAR has partnered with community organizations to offer a range of free classes from skills training to arts-based recreation. The classes are designed to support people as they make the transition to housing and work to recover their mental health. STAR is located within the CRC at 40 Oak St.
At STAR, people are participants in their recovery, not patients.
Learn More and find out about OPDI training program at this link (//www.opdi.org/news-events/events/training/opdi-peer-support-core-essentials-training-program-toronto-may-2018). Note: The program costs $1000.
5 days of in person training and subsequent support!
Participants are evaluated by the trainers, and the outcomes can range from “Incomplete” to “Level 1”, “Level 1R” and eventually earning “OPDI Certified Peer Supporter”.
Questions? Allyson Theodorou (opdi@opdi.org) Phone: 416.484.8785 ext. 2 or 1.866.681.6661
Peer Staff Supervisors Training
– Centre for Innovation in Peer Support
Open to Anyone Who Supervises Peer Support Workers – Information (pdf) and Registration
Mon, 14 May 2018 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT
348 Bronte St S, Unit 18, Milton, ON L9T 0H7
Training facilitated by Robyn Priest, International Consultant with the Centre for Innovation in Peer Support; and Christina Jabalee, Director-Centre for Innovation in Peer Support
Monday May 7, 2018 (Monday)
Employment Clinics with WoodGreen
Not sure how to start your job search? Feeling stuck or frustrated and want to discuss career options? Need your resume critiqued? Would you like to access the hidden job market? Bring your questions regarding effective job search to a one-on-one 30 minute meeting with a professional employment service provider. (Reoccurs: May 14 & 28)
Call 416-393-7727 to book an appointment with a counsellor. At: 701 Pape Ave (@ Danforth Ave) Pape/Danforth Library – Program Room
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm Phone: 416-393-7727
Relief Worker Position
(PEER RELIEF WORKER PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING Are you a person on Ontario Works? Are you interested in gaining skills to work in drop-in centers and shelters as a Relief Worker?
En Route to Employment may be an opportunity for you!
The 36 day intensive training includes sessions on:
peer support
drop-in best practices
customer service skills
moving forward: re-entering the workforce
asset mapping, goal setting
wellness
diversity issues
conflict resolution
first aid & CPR
personal development
work etiquette
resume writing
interview skills
And much more! Training will begin July 31 2018 from 10am-3pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 12 weeks.
You will receive a hearty lunch each day. 15 spots are available for the training program! Information Session:
June 15th 2018 1 pm: 1499 Queen Street West # 203 M6R-1A3
For further information, please contact:
Dawnmarie Harriott
Working for Change
(416) 504-1693
Attendance at this session is encouraged, but not mandatory. TTC tokens will be available.
Deadline for submitting the applications is June 29th 2018 at 5 pm. In order to participate it is necessary to have a referral from your Ontario Works worker.
Fun Free Events
General Tips on finding events: We know there are lots of folks collecting events for Survivors so we don’t want to duplicate their efforts. If you do have a consumer survivor event, please submit it. If we don’t receive your event we probably won’t include it.
Sources of events:
· Toronto Public Library
· Now Magazine, Torontoist (torontoist.com) BlogTo (BlogTO.com)
· Facebook
Toronto Public Library
Big events with huge authors and speakers at the Reference Library (789 Yonge Street //www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/appel-salon/
May 02 2018 (Wednesday) Musicking, Science and Health: A Mental Tune-Up
Join Keith Loach in a program that will look at recent research in music and health. What happens in our brains when we play, listen and move to music? Includes a live clarinet performance! Drop in. No registration required.
At: 40 Orchard View Blvd (north of Eglinton Ave & west of Yonge St) Northern District Library – Room 200
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm Phone: 416-393-7610
May 03 2018 (Thursday) Laughter Therapy Class
Join our Laughter Therapy exercise classes on Thursdays for five weeks. Laughter Yoga instructor Carlos Gongora teaches how laughter can be the best medication. Program is free. No registration required.
At: 1515 Albion Rd (west of Kipling Ave) Albion Library – Auditorium
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm Phone: 416-394-5170
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Website: //www.coc.ca/plan-your-visit/free-concert-series
May 2, 9 Inkwell Workshops
ROUTES [2700 Dufferin Street, Unit 90] May 2 – Let Jeff lead you through poetry exercises guaranteed to stimulate your creativity. No experience necessary.
May 9 – Have fun learning tips and tricks for writing for young readers with award-winning children’s author, Mahak. No experience necessary..
Voice Yoga. May 14 (Monday) . How can we write poetry in a relaxed, fun, comfortable safe space so that emerging poets can become confident people? In a non-traditional approach, we laugh, opine and become expressive.
This group provides that opportunity and experience. Through self-expression and being given permission to be silly, respected and heard, we gain self-respect and learn harm reduction.
At: 2:00 to 3:30 at the Secret Handshake 189B Mutual (upper) More info: www.honeynovick.com
May 12 2018 (Saturday) Community Plant & Seed Swap
Join us for a Plant & Seed Swap at Dufferin/St.Clair Library. The community is invited to bring excess plants from their spring gardening (flowers, fruits & vegetables) and swap them with others. Get planting tips from our local experts too.
At: 1625 Dufferin St (south of St Clair Ave W) Dufferin/St.Clair Library Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm Phone: 416-393-7712
May 16 2018 (Wednesday) Ping Pong for Adults and Seniors
While we don’t have fancy tables, we do have equipment to turn our existing tables into ping pong palaces. Okay, not palaces, but it’s good exercise and great for improving your eye/hand coordination, plus it’s fun. Come out and choose your paddle! Drop in. No registration required.
At: 36 Brentwood Rd, North (north of Bloor St W) Brentwood Library – Program Room Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm Phone: 416-394-5247
May 22 2018 (Tuesday) Doctors in Denial: A Reading with Author Dr. Joel Lexchin
Doctors in Denial examines the relationship between the Canadian medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry, and explains how doctors have become dependents of the drug companies instead of champions of patients’ health. Big Pharma plays a role in every aspect of doctors’ work. These giant, wealthy multinationals influence how medical students are trained and receive information, how research is done in hospitals and universities, what is published in leading medical journals, what drugs are approved, and what patients expect when they go into their doctors’ offices. But almost all doctors deny the influence and control the drug companies exert. In this book Dr. Lexchin urges the medical profession to make the changes needed to give priority to protecting and promoting patients’ health and benefitting society, rather than enabling Big Pharma to dominate health care while raking in billions in profits from citizens and governments. Dr. Joel Lexchin is an internationally-recognized expert in pharmaceutical policy. He is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Health Policy and Management at York University where he taught health policy from 2001 to 2016.
At: 789 Yonge St (north of Bloor St) Toronto Reference Library – Beeton Hall Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm Phone: 416-395-5577
Fri 25th May 2018
Let’s go CRAZY
at The Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 1C7
8:30pm to whenever…
Short Stories, Spoken Word, Song, Poetry.
We always welcome and encourage new performers.
If you what to bring your voice and join our line up please pitch us…
Help to envision a better world – Poetry Workshop
A poetry creation program specifically for consumer survivors and members of the Mad Community to illustrate themes of social justice. Four rehearsals and one recital.
June 13, 20,27 July 4, 11. Register friendlyspike@primus.ca or call 647.729.906
Computer Help!
Martha Gandier (gandier47@hotmail.com) offers fellow consumers/survivors free over-the-phone or remote online computer advice and support with computer repairs, upgrades, installations, networking, virus and spyware scans as well as clean-ups, coaching in MS Office, etc.
My computer is so slow!
I still get lots of calls about slow computers, even new ones. Here’s a list of tips on how you can speed your system up.
Uninstall everything you don’t need. This will include a lot of ‘bloatware’ if you have a brand new computer. Click ‘Start’ then ‘All apps’ and pick something you’re sure you don’t need. Right click on it and choose ‘Uninstall’. Pretty good article about this: //www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2477704,00.asp
Cut back on the programs that start automatically when you start your computer. Right click on the bar at the bottom of your desktop and click on ‘Task Manager.’ (also Cntrl+Shift+Esc) Click on the ‘Start UP’ tab and you’ll see what starts every time you turn on your machine. Some are necessary, like your antivirus. You can disable what you don’t need all the time, and disable it and start it only when you need it.
Clean your hard drive. Type ‘Disk Cleanup’ above your start menu and then choose it when the windows opens. You’ll be asked which drive you want to clean, choose the one with your operating system…usually ‘C’. Follow directions and click all the boxes you see.
Download and run ESET online scan. Even if you’re antivirus is running and up to date, quite often a third party scan will pick up some nasties. If you can afford it, buy ESET, in my opinion still the best antivirus out there. //www.eset.com/ca/home/online-scanner/
Cut back on bells and whistles. In the search box above the Start button, type ‘Adjust appearance’ and open ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows’. Then click on ‘Adjust for Best Performance’. If you don’t like who your computer works you can go back and click on the ‘Let Windows Choose’ button.
Please email me if your computer is still slow.
Even more newsletters
· Ontario Peer Development Initiative OPDI “News to go” //www.opdi.org/news-events/news
· Empowerment Council //www.empowermentcouncil.ca/
· Citizens With Disability Ontario (CWDO) //www.cwdo.org/
· Housing Action Now—Great resource on housing advocacy in Toronto //housingactionnowto.wordpress.com/
· ARCH Alert, ARCH Disability Law Centre //www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/arch-alerts
· Voice of Our Own, Newsletter of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), published four times per year //www.ccdonline.ca/en/publications
· The Advocate – A Government Affairs Advisory Newsletter, Ontario March of Dimes //www.marchofdimes.ca
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The Bulletin is published on the 1st and 16th of every month
by Sound Times Support Services. Funding for this Consumer/Survivor initiative has been provided by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Disclaimer:
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the
Toronto Central LHIN, the Government of Ontario,
Sound Times Support Services Staff, Volunteers or Board Members.
Thanks: to survey participants, callers and emailers and the C/S Info Bulletin Team helping with the handoff. Go green; get The Bulletin by email!
And that is all! Bulletin@soundtimes.com
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