Hello everyone!

September has arrived. I hope you all enjoyed the summer months. This time of year is when the psychoeducational sessions begin again. The posters for the virtual sessions and support groups are provided below. 

CMHA Simcoe County has virtual events coming up, below you will find links to two events, as well there are several groups to support family caregivers and your loved one. Visit their events page to learn more here.

There are family support services available through CMHA Simcoe County. A weekly virtual group meeting for those family caregivers who are supporting a loved one through addictions and the one-on-one family-based peer support. How to connect for further information its provided below.

FMHI's Facebook page helps keep us connected.

You can also find FMHI on Twitter and Instagram

 In this Issue:

• All-Party Panel on Mental Health

• 5th Annual "Keep Talking" Virtual Gala

• Virtual Family Caregiver Psycho-Education

• Virtual Family Caregiver Support Groups

• Supporting Your Loved One Through Addictions Group

• Family-Based Peer Support at CMHA Simcoe County

• Crisis Services

Take care, 

Tara Maxwell

All-Party Panel on Mental Health

September 10, 2021 from 2pm - 3pm

You are invited to an All-Party Panel on Mental Health taking place September 10th, from 2-3 pm EDT.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the mental health and well-being of Canadians. Even before the pandemic, one in five Canadians experienced a mental illness or a mental health issue in any given year.

This federal election presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make meaningful and lasting reforms to Canada’s mental health system.

Register today for a virtual discussion, on World Suicide Prevention Day, on mental health during the campaign period for the 44th federal election with award-winning journalist, André Picard, and candidates from all parties with seats in the House of Commons.

Find out more here

5th Annual "Keep Talking" Virtual Gala

October 29, 2021

Join CMHA Simcoe County on Oct. 29th for their 5th Annual "Keep Talking" Virtual Gala presented by Allstate Insurance, visit here for more details.

Watch a sneak peek here on YouTube

Virtual Psycho-Educational Sessions

These sessions are offered via Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN).

Virtual Family Caregiver Support Groups

The 2nd Tuesday & 3rd Monday of every month via Zoom.

Supporting a Loved One Through Addiction 

Supporting a loved one through addiction can be a long, difficult and often lonely journey. This group offers a safe and non-judgmental space for open conversation to discuss, learn and cope with the struggles one might face when supporting their loved ones through addiction.

Topics include but are not limited to: supporting vs enabling, setting boundaries and goals, recognizing codependency, managing expectations, how being focused on “fixing” our loved one can result in years of self-neglect and the importance of self-care, emotions and frustration when relapse occurs and recognizing how relapse is often a part of the overall recovery process.

Email peersupport@cmhastarttalking.ca to sign up.

Facilitated by Peer Supporters Jadine & Suzanne

Family-Based Peer Support

This service is available for family members who have been directly impacted by a loved one’s mental health challenge, illness and/or substance use.

Peer support is created through a trusting, equal and empowering recovery-oriented relationship between two individuals who share a similar experience. You will be connected with a trained Peer Supporter who can relate from a human to human perspective as can be related from a place of lived experience.

Find out more about Peer Support Services

To seek support, please connect directly with peersupport@cmhastarttalking.ca

Crisis Service

Crisis Services offers 24hr telephone support to assist individuals, community agencies, emergency services and family or friends, to work through resolution of identified issues and challenges. The team is comprised of mental health and addiction professionals, who are trained in suicide intervention, and can help stabilize pre and post-crisis, developing coping strategies and plans for ongoing mental health and addiction support and follow up.

Family Mental Health Initiative of Simcoe County

90 Mulcaster St.

Barrie ON L4M 3M5

705-725-0363 / 1-800-324-3252

fmhi.ca