Hope Forum

The Hope community held a one day forum for supporting families with parental mental illness. We did follow the basic format of the manual, but included a Concurrent Disorders perspective, as well as a cultural understanding of Mental Health from a First Nations perspective. A local family presented their experience of coping and managing when one parent has a mental illness. We were fortunate to have donations from the community to cover basic needs, (local church donated space, and the lunch, home-made soup and a bun, was donated by an individual planning participant).
The day went very well, with all presentations being very well received. The evaluations were quite positive, our attendance numbers was a total of 48 including 10 presenters. We had 4 grandparents who were raising the child whose parent has a mental illness, and all indicated that the workshop was valuable. Besides local families, our participants came from Public Health, MCFD Child welfare, addictions, Hope and area transition society, Agassiz Adult mental health services, Employment services, victims services, Community Services, elementary schools, and a consumer peer advocate.
Besides successful attendance and participation, we had a group of 5 interested persons sign up to be active in an ongoing committee to continue community planning for SFPMI.

Some comments from our evaluation form;

...I am now acquainted with other professionals to connect with. Strength in joint ownership
... I loved when the family came to talk oftheir experience with mental health. Gave me great insight.

From our impact question;

..there are supports and services available, we aren’t alone
..impressed on me the need to work together to provide holistic support to families.
..I walk away with Hope.
About our materials,
..Well organised book, nice to have as aresource.
And of course the all important FOOD
..all participants rated this as excellent!!

Hylda Gryba

Please click a thumbnail for an expanded view of this fruitful event!