CMHA-MI currently offers the following programs:
Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health
Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health is a new program to help people experiencing symptoms of low mood and anxiety that may arise from stress or other life circumstances. The program is delivered in close collaboration with primary care practices and is funded by a grant from the Ministry of Health. Bounce Back provides service exclusively through referrals from primary care practitioners. For more information. talk to your family doctor and click on the Bounce Back to visit the Bounce Back website.
The Bounce Back Coach for Mid-Island is Noah Routley.
Noah can be reached at 250-244-4041.
Phoenix Centre Clubhouse
This clubhouse operates on the model originated at fountain house in New York in the early 50's. Based on the premise that persons with mental illness need a place to belong and claim ownweship, the model emphasizes member participation in the actual operations of the clubhouse and representation on all decisions that affect the clubhouse. This participation encompasses working on the clerical team, the janitorial team, the kitchen team, and/or the job development team. All participation is voluntary.
The Phoenix Centre currently has over 350 members and sees an average daily attendance of 40. We typically see an average of 135 individuals during a month. The Phoenix Centre helps persons with mental illness gain employment. The clubhouse develops Transitional Employment Placement in the community. These programs are the soul of the Clubhouse and continue to grow.
Phoenix Centre Clubhouse is a genuine empowering place for people living in the community with mental illness.
The national office of CMHA has a wealth of information on its site at www.cmha.ca including national educational materials, research projects, and a branch/division locator for all of Canada.
Remember the BC Branch locator on this site is your best bet for finding current contact information for the 20 local CMHAs across BC, and also a description of their services.
We are located at:
1045A Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo, BC.
Tel. 250-716-8823 Fax. 250-716-8820
For more info on regulated clubhouse centres like the Phoenix Centre go to: www.iccd.org
Drop In Peer Support
This program operates with trained Peer Support Workers who assist persons with mental illness in gaining information, accessing advocacy, problem solving, community reintegration, and self-awareness. This program has begun actively educating physicians in the Nanaimo region about their program and is currently developing a resource library for general public access. Services include: in-hospital visits, form assistance, service access, peer counseling, public awareness, and advocacy. For more information go to Peer Support.
Peer Support Drop-in provides confidential, non-judgemental and respectful services by offering personal support, understanding and empathy for people who are struggling with metal health issues and connecting them with resources and services in the Nanaimo area.
This program enables people to connect and socialize with others who are experiencing similar mental health issues in a healthy supportive enivronment.
Peer Support is also available for:
-
Family and friends who need assistance in navigating services for those close to them who may be suffering from mental illness.
-
Individuals living with brain injury or FAS who need a place to share their unique experiences and learn from others with similar conditions.
-
Individuals wanting assistance with the many issues which occur alongside the immediate effects of mental illness or disability.
-
Anybody who needs someone to listen.
Womens Peer Support Group
Mondays 1-3 pm
This is a Drop-In Support Group for women with mental illness and provides a safe environment to share concerns, successes and other issues.
The Group provides confidential, non-judgmental and respectful services by offering personal support, understanding and empathy. Women can connect and socialize with others who are experiencing similar mental health issues in a healthy supportive environment.
To find out the location of the Group, please call Peer Support at 250-244-4042 ext. 117 and leaving a message for Wanda.
Saori Weaving
Saori is an art of weaving by hand that is dedicated to free expression and self-development for everyone, regardless of physical or mental ability, age, or artistic aptitude. Saori weaving is pure improvisation from the heart, with no premeditated pattern in mind. Colours unfold, designs emerge, and beauty blooms directly from the genius of each unique individual working in harmony with loom, thread, and the spark of the moment.
Saori is a profound inner journey, yet we can enjoy it socially, working alongside others. We can also create clothing, bags, tapestries, and many useful items that can be appreciated by all.
Saori is fun, and anyone can do it!
For more information, call Cathie at 250-244-4035
Balmoral Hotel Social Housing
CMHA Mid Island has purchased the Balmoral Hotel in Nanaimo in order to preserve the site as low-cost, affordable social housing in the City. A former bar/lounge on the site has been renovated to house services from the Vancouver Island Health Authority, the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance and CMHA's Peer Support Program.
The 20 units of the Balmoral are located at 126 Haliburton Street, Nanaimo, BC and has been renovated without displacing the tenants currently residing there. People who work with the homeless outreach program will have preferred access to suites as they become available.
New Horizons
A 9 unit apartment building for people with mental health concerns is located at 126 Black Road, Courtney BC V9N 3W6
For any questions regarding Social Housing or to contact CMHA's Administrative services or the Peer Support Program please call: 250-244-4042
Homeless Outreach Program
Being homeless has a significant impact on a person's mental health and many people living on the streets, or people at risk of homelessness, have mental health and/or addictions issues.
CMHA, with funding from BC Housing, has homeless outreach workers meeting and assisting people on the streets of Nanaimo.
In partnership with the VIHA Downtown Outreach Team, our outreach workers assist people with accessing income, health services, find and maintain housing, and work towards a life that does not include homelessness and its causes.
Peppermill Frozen Meals
This is a vocational training program that provides frozen meals to clinets of VIHA's Mental Health and Addiction team.
Six persons with mental health concerns work in the program, cooking nutritious and tasty meals that are sold at a minimal cost to people who struggle with the symptoms of their mental illness. CMHA now offers the Peppermill program in the Courtney/Comox areas.
Employment Services
In partnership with Triumph Vocational Services, CMHA Mid-Island offers workshops on maintaining mental wellness on the job.
This workshop engages participants with mental illness to plan, rehearse, and understand how their mental health affects their workplace relationships.
Geared to promoting wellness and accommodation, the workshop begins the process of forming plans around maintaining their health and developing strong work behaviours.
Education and
Community Development
Canadian Mental Health Mid Island participates in a number of education and community development initiatives. We have representatives who sit on the Nanaimo Mental Health Advisory Board and on the Central Vancouver Island Regional Mental Health Advisory Committee. This year our Executive Director is the Co-Chair of the regional committee.
The National Depression Screening and Education day (NDSED) is one day every October where people who feel they, or someone they know, might be depressed can fill out a questionnaire, gain information and, if necessary, a referral to a Physician or other resources. Our 2004 NDSED was hosted in two sites with over 80 people attending.
Community development and information projects such as having informational tables in shopping malls, delivering talks for businesses etc. are ongoing when there is a need or a request. An upcoming project in 2005 is the provincial Police Project “Improving Interactions Between Police and People with Mental Illness: Increasing Capacity”. This will be a community coalition building project that will develop a working forum on the issues of police intervention and persons with mental illness involving a number of community stakeholders. Staff from CMHA also promote mental health and raise awareness of mental illness throughout the community in a variety of venues such as media, business speeches etc.
Abilities2Business