Are we allowed to have relationships? Not just with workers, doctors and med/justice systems but real people? Part of the experience of being involved in the psychiatric system and other institutions like prisons is that we are isolated and told how to behave.
We are not given a lot of chances to take risks and fail.
Disability justice includes the right to a personal life and intimate relationships.
Inside: Relationships with emergencies, housing, jobs, events
Navigate Below:
Intro:Changing relationships and survival.
Moments in C/S Bulletin History
Rights and News
Resources
Jobs
Key Free Events
Projections of hope about opioid crisis
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2008: Director quits over ‘offensive’ bear. Vermont Teddy Bear Co. has sold out of its $69.95 (U.S.) “Crazy for You” bear, which were sold complete with straitjackets and commitment papers. 2019 – You can still find the offensive/stigmatizing/awesome Halloween costumes and toys. Do you find the asylum story lines in Gotham, Split, Infinitely Polar Bear offensive? Why are there so many asylum themed escape houses?
Privatization of healthcare in 2005
Bridgepoint, CAMH, Toronto Grace called for a community meeting about the implications of the potential “public private partnership” (P3) redevelopment of our hospitals this spring. What does it mean for patients, professionals, and community agencies?
Privatization in 2019
Privatization is (probably) not being considered by Premier Doug Ford: “He also told the bureaucrats that Health Minister Christine Elliott is working hard to protect the public health-care system, adding his government “will continue to ensure necessary funding for world-class health care in Ontario.””
Actions: Keep up with the news. Tell your MPP if you like public healthcare. Let Doug Ford know how you feel about private clinics because they may be coming. For example, some of his advisors are supporters of clinics: Gordon Campbell has supported Dr. Brian Day who is the founder of the private Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver, which has brought a constitutional challenge to allow private healthcare. Hepburn, Toronto Star January 9, 2019.)
Wouldn’t it be nice to get emergency therapy yesterday rather than a needle in ER? Or housing yesterday rather than running from shelter to warming centre today…
Homelessness: Crisis, emergency,
Governments often see us as the targets of the emergency rather than the solution.
City council voted to not declare homeless an emergency on January 30th. Partly because homelessness is such an ongoing problem it isn’t an emergency. Voting No means that the Mayor cannot make big decisions and spend money to immediately create housing and shelters and to ask for help from higher level governments.
Do you have thoughts? Petition at Progress Toronto. Get more information at //bit.ly/2UvVOc1 If you really want to experience the debate: //youtu.be/aZFy-8HPEHc?t=8374
State of Emergency – Opioid Crisis
Health advocates urge Ontario to declare state of emergency over opioids.
[Province has limited the number of OPS/SIS sites] “The cap is the exact opposite of a proper response to the current crisis,” said Sarah Ovens, an organizer with the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society (TOPS).
“It is like nobody is steering this ship, nobody is in charge of co-ordinating this response at a higher level,” Ms. Ovens said
Source: //tgam.ca/2MKqxzz MORE at: //www.facebook.com/TorontoOPS/ and //www.facebook.com/CanadianAssociationofPeopleWhoUseDrugs/
Family of Soleiman Faqiri files $14M lawsuit over ‘excessive force’ they say killed him
More than two years after Soleiman Faqiri was found lifeless on the floor of an Ontario jail cell, the family of the 30-year-old man, who had mental illness, has filed a lawsuit against the province over the “excessive force” they believe ultimately killed him.
More than six months after his death, a post-mortem report deemed the cause of Faqiri’s death “unascertained,” with the Kawartha Lakes Police Service concluding there were no grounds for criminal charges against any of those involved. [CBC: //bit.ly/2HORqUa]
How much land do you think should be deeply affordable? ACORN is calling for 50%. Do you think Toronto land (and condo potential) is enough that developers will commit to real affordable housing?
The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch (2018) review discussed the ways police “check” and target different people.
“…Given the social cost involved with a practice that has not definitively been shown to widely reduce or solve crime, it is recommended that the practice of randomly stopping individuals to gather their identifying information for the creation of a database for intelligence purposes be discontinued in those remaining jurisdictions that still employ the practice.” More at soundtimes.com
And what about those intimate relationships
Too often people with disabilities and institutions are seen as unworthy of relationships or sex.Getting the relationships and sex you want is part of disability justice:According to the World Health Organization, “Sexuality is an integral part of the personality of everyone: man, woman and child; it is a basic need and aspect of being human that cannot be separated from other aspects life.”
Description: Drug users are the experts. We’ve survived. We know policy better than policy-makers. We know law better than lawmakers. We know pharmaceuticals better than pharmacists. We know nobody’s coming to save us. So we gotta save ourselves.
We take on the key issues that impact Black communities in Canada through:
Championing Health Equity
Research and Policy Analysis
Fundraising and Resource Development
Systems Change and Transformative Initiatives
Convening Collaboration and Capacity Building
We believe that focusing our efforts on moving the dial in the areas below will lead to the greatest impact in our communities:
Access the knowledge and community service hub. Beyond a Sound Mind, a forum to encourage dialogue around mental health and addictions
//blackhealthalliance.ca/.
to load, get low balance warnings, view history and the Google Play and App Store
TTC – Fair Pass Discount Program
The Fare Pass Presto card saves money: $2.00 per ride, 115.50 monthly pass. If you receive a transport allowance from OW or ODSP check with a worker before you apply for the pass so that you don’t have that subsidy cut from your cheque.
New Course: The History of the Mad Movement & Alternatives to Biomedical Approaches is a new free course offered by the Institute for the Development of Human Arts. The course has videos and discussion questions. Get some background and continue learning about our history and future. //idha.teachable.com/courses/
InkWell Workshops offers free, drop-in creative-writing workshops to people living with mental-health or addictions issues led by award-winning professional writers with lived experience of mental illness. Wednesdays.
Please submit your resume/C.V. either by mail, walk-in or e-mail to:
The Raging Spoon Catering
Address: 1658 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON M6R 1B2
Phone: 416.504.6128
Email: ragingspoon@workingforchange.ca
JOB: Fresh Start Specialty Supervisor
Fresh Start is currently looking to fill another Specialty Supervisor position. The deadline for application is Friday February 15, 2019. Karen Schwartz – apply Charity Village or karen@freshstartclean.com
Generally, when applying, you’re better to apply to only one or two jobs at a time and really target your resume and cover letter to the jobs you’ve chosen, ideally the ones that best suit your qualifications and interests. Sean Patenaude Employment Works! Coordinator
Human Resources Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH,) 416-535-8501 Ext. 30360 sean.patenaude@camh.ca
Black History Month – City of TorontoLibraries: have lots of events and history for all ages: music, stories, workshops and a Reading List) //bit.ly/2SlGa5q
from 6-9 Sign up required. Contact Cavell Hart at 416-363-1827, extension 237.
Wed.. Feb 6 Death Café The Bluebird Bar, 2072 Dundas St W, Toronto, A gathering at lindafhochstetler@gmail.com.
//www.facebook.com/events/337140046883667/
February 07 Origins of root foods
A facilitator from AfriCan FoodBasket will discuss the origins of root foods including potatoes, carrots, dashees & eddoes.
At: 2793 Keele St (north of Wilson Ave) Downsview Library – Program Room Time: 2pm – 3pm : 416 395 5720
Feb 19th Black History Month and the Law Society of Ontario Join the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers on February 19th Tuesday, February 19, 2019 This public event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. equityevents@lso.ca | 416-947-3413 | Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St. W.
Planning Inclusive Events
Seminars, and Activities at Syracuse University Originally compiled by Alex Umstead and Diane Wiener (2012) Current revision by Kate Pollack and Diane Wiener (2018)
(Syracuse University Disability Cultural Center—//bit.ly/2CPsxmI).
7. Projecting a strong message a wall…
#WeCantWait #SafeSupply
Learn more about the perspective of Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs: Factsheetcapud.ca/safesupply
Guerilla public service announcement: Opioid overdose is now the leading cause of death for Canadians aged 30-39. capud.ca/safesupply#LifeWontWait
Projections by David Mendes
The Bulletin
Resources for Consumer / Survivors / People who use substances / Service and Substance Users / Fun Folks in TORONTO AREA
Where we post even more information and resources.The Bulletin is free to receive.
All previous issues are available on our website: www.soundtimes.com/bulletin
The Bulletin is published on the 1st 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 herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
Toronto Central LHIN, the Government of Ontario,
Sound Times Support Services Staff or Board Members.
Thanks: to survey participants, callers and emailers and the C/S Info Bulletin Team.. Go green; get The Bulletin by email! Bulletin@soundtimes.com
Tell federal party leaders to support life-saving harm reduction services Sign the petition here: aidslaw.nationbuilder.com/scs_petition2019 We’re facing a crisis. And our…
Adventures in integrating mad people's knowledge into psychiatry curriculum In this presentation we will discuss: Centering Madness: a course prioritizing…
Are we allowed to have relationships? Not just with workers, doctors and med/justice systems but real people? Part of the experience of being involved in the psychiatric system and other institutions like prisons is that we are isolated and told how to behave.
Disability justice includes the right to a personal life and intimate relationships.
