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Report From Kelowna – Capital Of Canada’s Okanogan Valley The Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness Committee in Kelowna held our second community forum on September 20, 2007. It was entitled, “Integration and Collaboration: How to Get There.” I’m happy to report the following outcomes related to the delivery of this event: On September 19, 2007, the day before the community forum, we held a workshop at UBC Okanagan. The Faculty of Health and Social Development partnered with us to deliver this event. The Chair of the School of Social Work, Dr. Brian Rasmussen, introduced the guest speakers, Dr. Joanne Nicholson (University of Mass. Medical School) and Mark Littlefield. Approximately thirty five people attended, including a nursing instructor and several nursing students, one psychiatric OT, two social work instructors and one social work student, three MCFD child protection workers, and a hospital-based social worker who works extensively with parents with mental illness on the maternity unit. The next day the community forum was held at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in the cultural district of downtown Kelowna. Approximately 100 participants attended the day long event. In addition to Dr. Joanne Nicholson and Mark Littlefield, Dr. James Chin (a local psychiatrist) presented an overview of the major mental illnesses and invited participants to consider the ways that each disorder could directly impact various parenting activities. We received lots of positive feedback from both professionals and community members about his warm, informative, and de-mystifying treatment of a complicated issue. Following the format of other forums around the province, two of our committee members shared their personal stories as parents who have experienced mental illness. We also had a panel made up of community based service providers – both governmental and non-profit - who described supports currently available within the community as well as their vision for future development. A final report on the event will be made available when completed. As a follow-up to the forum in September, Mark Littlefield facilitated a “team learning day” for SFWPMI Committee members on December 3, 2007. Our sincere thanks to Mark for his thought-provoking interactive presentation and challenge to “think like a movement and plan like an organization.” On December 4, 2007, four members of the SFWPMI Committee attended a training day for MCFD child protection workers held at one of the MCFD offices in Kelowna. Thanks again to Mark for encouraging the MCFD team leader to invite SFWMPMI Committee members to the second part of their training day. As a direct result of both the UBCO workshop, the community forum and representation of our committee at the MCFD training day, our membership has grown to include the following members: Dr. James Chin - psychiatrist The central task of our committee in the New Year will be to initiate a dialogue around two foundational questions. The first question is how the SFWPMI Committee will define itself. This means identifying and describing not what we do, but who we are. If we are a movement committed to change in our community, what are the values and concepts that provide motivation and direction and how can we effectively communicate them to the larger community? The second question is closely related: what would support for families with parental mental illness look like in our community? Do we have an inclusive vision for all the sectors that need to be involved; and if so, how will we go about garnering full participation? Committee members have agreed to think about these things over the holiday in preparation for our first meeting of 2008, to be held early in January. Special thanks again to Mark for his ongoing support and participation. We greatly Anne Stack (MSW candidate UBC Okanagan)
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