Anne's background is in community development, particularly non-profit and women’s second stage transition housing. In 2004, she co-founded the Kelowna Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness Committee, and they held their first community forum in June 2005. Anne is currently a Clinical MSW candidate at UBC Okanagan, and her research area is exploring the interrelationships between health, mental health, and human service systems working with families with parental mental illness.

Desiree was invited to a Provincial Working Group meeting while she was an intern therapist. The provincial group asked if she would be involved in their current work, both in setting up workshops and Forums and in working on the writing needs of the group. Since then Desiree has supported many families with parental mental illness in therapy. Desiree is currently a Child and Family Therapist in North Vancouver , BC

Doris Bodnar has a Bachelor and a Master’s Degree in Nursing, as well as a certificate in psychiatric nursing. She has experience in supporting families during their early adjustment to parenting through Public Health Nursing experience across Canada. In 1999 she became the Provincial Outreach Co-ordinator for the Reproductive Mental Health Program. This position combines her passion for supporting depressed women both in pregnancy and the postpartum period. She is continually advocating for mentally ill women in the perinatal period as chair of the Provincial Outreach Steering Committee and most recently by her work on the Self-Care Program for Women with Depression and Anxiety in Pregnancy and Postpartum and the Perinatal Depression Framework.

Jehannine is a research genetic counsellor and Clinical Assistant Professor within the UBC Department of Psychiatry. She obtained her BSc in Biochemistry and PhD in Neuropsychiatric Genetics in the UK before undertaking clinical training as a Genetic Counsellor at UBC. She completed this in 2003, and has since been certified as a genetic counsellor by both Canadian and American boards. Jehannine is a member of the BC Research Institute for Children and Women's health, an affiliated investigator with both the Fraser Health Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and an Associate Member of the UBC Department of Medical Genetics. Her research focuses on major psychiatric illness - she is an enthusiastic advocate for affected families, and couples clinical investigations of the role of genetic variations in illness pathogenesis with psychosocial research relating to issues associated with knowledge translation. In this niche area, Jehannine has become a field leader. She is co-chair of the Psychiatric Genetics Special Interest Group of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), is leading an effort to establish practice guidelines for Psychiatric Genetic Counseling, and has recently has been invited to co-author a book on Psychiatric Genetic Counseling by a leading publishing company. Jehannine is a Director of the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST), a member of the NSGC Ethics committee, and the Society and Ethics committee of Genome BC, and is currently chair of its Predictive Genetic Testing Task Force.

Robert is a psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of BC. He graduated from UBC in 1986 with a doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Since 1991 Robert has worked with the BC Government's Child and Youth Mental Health Service in Fraser Region, fulfilling several roles, including team leader, community psychologist, regional consultant and regional practice analyst. He currently teaches in the Graduate Program in Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University (Family Therapy and Family Systems) and in the School of Child and Youth Care at the University College of the Fraser Valley. Robert is currently leading a research project on the outcomes of the Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness forums. He became interested in the area of parental mental illness in the early 1990's when he was acting as director of the Mental Health Centre in Chilliwack. Grandparents of children whose parents had mental illness approached the mental health centre wanting some preventative intervention for their grandchildren. This led to a partnership with the BC Schizophrenia Society and the creation of "Kids in Control", a psycho-educational prevention program for children.

Nicole Chovil, PhD Director of Operations The F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids' Mental Health www.bckidsmentalhealth.org

Eufemia Fantetti has turned her difficult childhood with a mentally ill mother into a successful one woman show called My Own Private Etobicoke, which will soon be available on DVD, thanks to the diligence and support of Nicole Chovil. Her work has been published in various anthologies including Beyond Crazy, eye wuz here, Emerge and Contours. She has twice been honoured as a finalist in the Canadian National Playwriting Competition and her fiction placed as a Highly Commended Winner in the 2004 Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s Short Story Competition. She also appeared in the documentary Cracking Up and enjoys performing with the group Stand Up for Mental Health.

Hylda Gryba, RN.,BN., MA(Cand.) Hylda has a nursing background and after many years of hospital nursing moved to community mental health nursing. While working for the BCSS she pioneered and developed a children’s support group program (originally designed by Dr Rob Lees) for children who have a parent with a mental illness, called Kids in Control. As one of the original members of the Provincial Working Group Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness, she has been involved with all the projects with the Provincial working group, including several forums and public education workshops. She also participated in developing the manual Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness. Her current role is team leader and clinical supervisor for Child and Youth Mental Health team in Hope BC.

This pink shoe represents aspects of Kathyrn's personality which is as vibrant as her personality is unique further more Kathrn is not at all afraid to kick up a fuss as needed. As a ‘prosumer’; a professional social worker, working on her masters in social work and a consumer of mental health services for the last quarter century, Katherine brings a unique blend of experience and education to the committee It is not Kathyrn's preference however, it has been her experience to be prudent in her professional life, by requesting privacy.

Lisa is a Child, Youth and Family Counselor. She has been working in Mental Health Outreach Programs for the past 17 years. Lisa grew up with a brother suffering from depression in his late teen years. Her family didn't know the extent of his ongoing difficulties until after the devestating event of his suicide as an adult. They all now realize his struggles re-emerged while he was living in another city and he likely manifested bi polar illness. This experience initially drew Lisa to this field of work. Lisa has since developed a desire for helping children of parents with mental illness ignited ten years ago when she was working with a nine year old girl. Lisa can recall this child being particularly reticent to talk but obviously having a tough time coping. When Lisa suggested to her that she wasn't the only child that had a parent with mental illness, she responded by saying, "Oh yeah? Well, if I'm not the only one, then where are all the books about it?" As Lisa was unable at the time to find any books to help her, she began writing "Wishing Wellness: A Workbook for Children of Parents with Mental Illness" which the American Psychological Association later published. In 2004 Lisa also co-designed and facilitated an innovative pilot program called Building Resilient Families to provide support and education to parents with mental illness and their families. This year long project received special government funding from B.C.'s Strategic Initiative and Investment Funds and offered groups to children, youth, parents and their natural supports in Nanaimo. During that time Lisa heard about the Provincial Working Group and Dr. Lees invited her to join the group as a regional representative.

I am a Registered Clinical Social Worker providing services to families on the North Shore. I am also a community Social Worker with the Vancouver Regional Pediatric Team and work with families who have children with complex and chronic illnesses. For twenty five years I have supported families experiencing multiple barriers. I enjoy cross-country skiing during the winter and swimming in the summer.

Mark has worked with children, youth and families in many milieu since 1989. Mark is a registered Child & Youth Care (CYC) Practitioner and he is currently director of Littlefield & Associates, an organization focused on community, strength based interventions for families requiring support. Some of his current work includes a contract with the Fraser Region of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society to implement and evaluate 20 “Ulysses Agreements”, an advance planning process for parents with a mental illness. Along with providing “Kids in Control” a psycho-education and support group for children 8-14 years of age who have parents with a mental illness. Mark is currently completing my Masters at the University of Victoria. His research “Youth Participation in Care Team: What helps, What Hinders?” is being included in a quality improvement process currently underway by the Fraser Region of Child and Youth Mental Health.

Michael is currently pursueing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He is working in a residential drug treatment program for women and children. The women come from the community as self-referrals or are mandated by Child Protective Services for treatment due to substance abuse histories and/or criminal lifestyles. Michael serves the group as the webmaster for this site. During his lesure time, he enjoys a variety of outdoor pursuits.

Neil Mercer has a M.A. in Counselling Psychology from Trinity Western University, and has been working with families and helping people from all life-spans, since 2002. Neil has worked as a youth pastor, a chaplain for seniors and now works full-time as a Child and Youth Mental Health Therapist for the Ministry of Children and Family Development, in Abbotsford, B.C. He provides individual, group and family therapy to children and adolescents who are struggling with a variety of mental health concerns, as well as supporting and strengthening the family system. He also works with University students who present with various challenges in their lives. Neil has research interest and experience (M.A. thesis) in Parental Mental Illness, having done an exploratory study of the Ulysses Agreement program in supporting families where a parent has a mental illness, within the Fraser Region of B.C.. His interest in parental mental illness has led him to join the Provinical Working Group, specifically working towards building collaborative practices and preventive interventions within the community of Abbotsford.

Roz presently works in Richmond, British Columbia to assist the community to strengthen their support to families where a parent has a mental illness. Roz enjoys her career in social work and has a strong interest in families and what keeps us healthy and growing. Rozz enjoys working within communities to assist them to find ways to create health for all who live there. Roz has been part of the provincial table to support families since May 2008 and has long term relationships with many table members from working for over 30 years with families in either Vancouver or the surrounding communities.

Teresa Meeres BaCYC Ulysses Agreement Facilitator, Chilliwack Teresa is a devoted mother of three, and her experience of being a parent has prompted her to dedicate her career to the development and well being of children, youth, and families. Theresa is a Chilliwack resident since 1968 and have been a very active community member, both professionally and as a volunteer in community events, organizations and projects. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Experience and Education * Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care * Currently studying Substance Abuse Counseling * Non-violent crisis intervention * Intern Clinician – Child and Youth Mental Health * Contractor to BC Schizophrenia Society * Teacher Assistant – School District 33, Chilliwack * Residential Youth Worker – Xyolhmeylh Family Services * Youth Worker – Pivot Point Child Development * Community Events Coordinator for children and families * Crisis-line operator – Chilliwack Community Services * Mother of three Philosophy Love and appreciate everyone. Every individual has their own unique and very real experiences and valid perspective, and it is this uniqueness that makes our world a wonderful place. Behind every challenge lies great potential. With dedication and acceptance, that potential can be realized.