“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change

anything.” (George Bernard Shaw).

Welcome to the Patients’ Voice Newsletter

The Patients’ Voice

Volume 4, Issue 1 Spring 2016

THE PATIENTS’ COUNCIL OF ST. JOSEPH’S MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Recipe of the month:

Berry-Kiwi Smoothie Ingredients:

1 banana peeled and broken into chunks 2 Kiwi peeled and sliced 1 cup (250ml) yogurt any flavour 1 cup (250ml) ice cubes ½ cup (125ml) orange juice honey to taste 1 cup (250ml) fresh or frozen strawberries, raspberries or blackberries or a combination.

Directions: Combine in a blender and blend to create your smoothie. Source: Starting Out: the essential guide to cooking on your own by Julie Rosendaal. Article written by: Stephanie Taylor.

Inside this Issue

1- Recipe of the month

2- Patients’ Council AGM

3- Victor Garber

4- Happy- the movie

6- Keeping your spirits up

7- Who’s who and what they do

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All patients, family, and staff are invited

to the Patients’ Council Annual General Meeting on Wednesday June

8, 2016 from 1 to 3 pm, in the auditorium.

Presentations by Patients’ Council members, special keynote speakers.

Refreshments will be served.

We hope to see you there!

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Victor Garber: actor, advocate and activist

Victor Garber is renowned for his work in film, stage, and on- screen (TV). He has played Jesus

in “Godspell” and also the devil in “Damn Yankees” among other famous and numerous roles on

broadway and stage. He has also starred in “Alias” a TV detective show.

Mr. Garber is also, very importantly, a staunch activist and advocate for mental health.

According to “Vim and Vigour” magazine, both of Victor’s parents passed away from

Alzheimer’s disease and although Mr. Garber is originally from London Ontario, his work in

acting and his contributions to mental health reach far and wide: including here in Canada, and

the United States. Alzheimer’s disease is suffered by more than 747,000 Canadians.

Victor Garber is also a long-time member of the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends

Canada. On World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21, Victor, along with other famous

personalities, advocated for the support of people with dementia, so that these people can remain

active and independent for as long as possible; as there is no known cure for this disease.

A few more interesting facts about Victor Garber (according to “Vim and Vigour” magazine):

(1): His mother Hope Garber had her own TV show in the 1950’s in London, Ontario

(2): He has received four Tony nominations and six Emmy nominations

(3): He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12 and advocates for diabetes awareness

(4): He won an Emmy for a guest appearance on the TV sitcom “Frasier” in 2000

In conclusion, I believe we can all help the cause of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,

by continuing to be supportive of people suffering from the disease and by joining and supporting

the Alzheimer’s Society. In addition, anyone can become a Dementia Friend by visiting

Dementia Friends Canada’s website at:

www.dementiafriends.ca.

Sources: “Vim and Vigour” magazine and Dementia Friends Canada (CNW Group/Dementia

Friends Canada): www.dementiafriends.ca.

Article written by: Roy Paglione

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Happy: The Movie about Happiness

Happy is a 2011 movie that examines happiness amongst different people throughout the world.

The desire for happiness is so common that the United States specifies the right to the pursuit of

happiness within its constitution.

Director Roko Belic talked to people in at least 13 different countries. Research has shown that

fifty per cent of what contributes to your state of happiness is genetics. Contrary to popular

belief, personal circumstances such as social status, income, job and health often have very little

impact on happiness (10 per cent). The obvious exception is very low income. But people are not

happier with more material things once their basic needs are met.

A rickshaw driver in India was deemed to be as happy as the average American. An ex-debutant

who was badly disfigured in a car accident, was happier than she had ever been. Denmark was

deemed the happiest country with free medical care; free education through to college and a

practice of shared housing (picture a modern urban commune). What makes Kalahari bushmen

happy? Perhaps, their complete interdependence with others and their natural environment.

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A number of conditions were associated with happiness. Without exception, happy people

were found to have close supportive family and friends. Meditation can help happiness.

Closeness to nature can contribute to happiness. The cultivation of spiritual emotions such as

compassion, altruism, gratitude and love can increase happiness. The good news is that doing

the things we love to do can bring about happiness. Being around animals, meeting intrinsic

goals such as personal growth and relationship goals, having a community feeling, having an

intergenerational mix, finding something bigger then ourselves, and doing things for other

people can all contribute to happiness.

Let’s do the math. A full forty per cent of what contributes to happiness lies outside of

genetic and personal circumstances. We can take action to increase the conditions within our

life that lead to happiness.

Japanese people were least happy, with an epidemic of people dying from overwork. In an

interesting twist, while generally religion helps increase happiness, religions which offer to

help only a limited group of people do not make people happier.

People like you more when you are happy. You like yourself more. It is worth your effort to

spend time on things which can increase your happiness.

Written by: Susan Salo

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Keeping your spirits up while in or out of hospital

When you feel treated well, the positive response is a feeling of overall happiness. Learning to forgive another person’s flaws ensures that you are able to love. Having forgiveness in your heart allows you to grow as an individual. When feeling exposed or embarrassed by mental health stigma, it can cause extreme frustration especially when disciplined with a “tough love” approach, from a parent, clinician, or psychiatrist. It may initially be frustrating for you, but just know that they are trying to help and encourage you, to make sensible life decisions and choices.

Life Experiences

Learn from your life experiences, another person’s, or from a role model in your life. Try to spend time with people who have a positive influence in your life. Always strive to do better and to continually improve yourself. Never feel as a human being, that you cannot make any useful progress in your life. Whether it’s a volunteer opportunity, a hobby or personal interest, a part-time job or a personal career goal, always believe in yourself that you are valued and worthy of a good, productive life.

You must refuse to give up on yourself, no matter how depressed or unmotivated you feel, because you are worthy of the best that life has to offer. Learn and read about your illness, so you can understand it, before you come to a place of accepting it. This usually takes some time before you reach this point of self-realization. Extreme complaining gets you nowhere. Be willing to advocate for your care, ask questions to be more informed, and approach staff when you have concerns. The people that can help you through your challenges while in hospital, include the staff that you have contact with throughout the day and/or your Doctor, nurse, counsellor, or a trusted friend.

Article written by Sean R.

Illness and Learning

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In this issue we would like to introduce you to the Chaplains who work in Spiritual Care at both

Parkwood Institute and Southwest Centre.

We interviewed Jessica Baker and Stephen Yeo in the chapel spaces located at each site. Each

chapel offers a quiet, safe space for patients, families, staff and visitors. When interviewing the

Chaplains, we felt that the environment was very calm, welcoming and serene. We were

interested in asking how Spiritual Care services can be accessed. We learned that the process can

be very informal such as a patient self-referral, inquiry from family members, staff referral, or at

times it may be through an informal conversation. Spiritual Care is for everyone who has a

connection to St. Joseph’s mental health care programs.

Both chaplains will accommodate these requests.

Both Stephen and Jessica offer one to one support, group support, staff support and consultation,

which can take place in staff rounds, planning meetings, or if staff are seeking expert advice.

Some programming that is in the works for Stephen, (who is based at Southwest Centre) includes:

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Stephen Yeo

(Chaplain) inside the

labyrinth at the Chapel

located at Parkwood

Institute Mental Health

Care

Photo of interior of Chapel space at Parkwood

Institute Mental Health Care

Photo of the beautifully designed windows that bring natural

light into the Chapel space at Parkwood Institute

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implementation of a spring equinox labyrinth walk, and incorporating mindful reflections according to the

season of the calendar. Stephen also facilitates monthly communion services, a weekly therapeutic

spirituality group, guided meditation, smudging and drumming (monthly) and church service

programming.

Jessica, who is based in Parkwood Institute, offers an adolescent spirituality group, non-denominational

chapel service, hymn sings, and guided meditation. Parkwood Institute also offers a Roman Catholic

Communion service, and there are hopes for smudging and drumming ceremonies in the future. Jessica

has been with St. Joseph’s Health Care London for three months now, and she is quite excited about

coordinating future programming which offers exploration of what is meaningful and sacred for

participants.

Chaplains can inquire and make a referral to a community church or group if the patient requests. For

example, they will link a person who wishes to reconnect with their preferred faith group, or to a spiritual

leader, for example a Rabbi or Imam. Both Jessica and Stephen will connect patients to community grief

supports as well.

Stephen noted that many times, people are surprised when they learn of the amount of education and

training that is required for these positions. Both Jessica and Stephen are members of the College of

Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario which is a regulated health care profession. Stephen also has the

designation of Anglican priest. In his tenure he has officiated weddings, baptisms and funerals for staff

and patients. Jessica is an endorsed minister and commissioned as a health care Chaplain by her

denomination.

With both facilities having both indoor and outdoor labyrinths, Stephen and his colleagues at Southwest

Centre have conducted research on the holistic benefits of walking the labyrinth.

The Chaplain role is very important and valued within St. Joseph’s mental health care programs. Stephen

and Jessica are very approachable, knowledgeable and they are an excellent resource for patients,

families and staff.

Jessica Baker (Chaplain) at the Chapel

located at Southwest Centre

Laurel Lamarre (Family Liaison) and Jessica

Baker at the Chapel at Southwest Centre