Mood Disorders Association of Ontario: Inspiration Awards

Please nominate someone who has made a difference in your life! From MDAO:

In our journey through mood disorders, we know there are many inspirational people who, through their love, caring, and support inspire us.

The MDAO Heart Inspiration Award is awarded to an individual who has given exceptional support as a caregiver, a loved one, a friend, a co-worker. They have put their Heart and soul into a caring relationship to help someone through the worst of times.

MDAO is seeking nominations for such an extraordinary individual. On February 9 2008, one individual will be selected by a panel of judges to receive this award. Please use the attached nomination form and tell us how they have “touched your Heart.”

Could your depression be your greatest asset?

This link is work checking out.

Average length of hospital stay higher for mental illness patients

October 11, 2007--A new annual report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that in 2004-2005 patients diagnosed with mental illness represented 6% of all general hospital discharges or deaths (separations) in Canada, but 13% of all inpatient days. This is due to the fact that, on average, mental illness patients had longer stays in general hospitals (17 days) compared to other patients (7 days). The average length of stay was even longer for those in psychiatric hospitals (109 days, excluding Quebec data).

During the same period, mood disorders were the primary diagnoses in over a third (34%) of all mental illness separations for general and psychiatric hospitals combined, followed by schizophrenic and psychotic disorders (21%) and substance-related disorders (16%). The mood-disorder diagnosis group was the largest for all provinces and territories, with the exception of the Northwest Territories, where the substance-related disorder group was the largest.

Hospital Mental Health Services in Canada, 2004-2005

Moving, Part 2

I have not forgotten about my loyal readers! Things have been very busy. My partner and I are moving again. Yes, it was only last November that I wrote about the stress of moving. While we are much more prepared this time, I'm still a little anxious - hoping everything goes smoothly.

We will be moving within Ottawa and this time around we bought a house, a townhome, actually. We hadn't planned on moving so soon. However, our landlady would like to occupy her home - something we could never have planned for.

While I work on the move, I'll leave you with some reading during my short absence.

Interesting stories to check out:

-54 million people suffer from mental illness (United Nations)

-scientific breakthrough with stem cells provides hope for better treatment of Alzheimer's and diabetes

-gene discovery to aid in the development of new treatments for bipolar disorder, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and Crohn's disease.

-Systems Enhancement Evaluation Initiative (SEEI) suggests that the new money invested in Ontario's mental health since 2004 is making an impact.

-Regina, Saskatchewan struggling to hire more mental health professionals; rates of mental illness much higher among low-income population - study's results reflect the incidence of mental illness in the poor around the world

Call for volunteers at Mood Disorders Ottawa

Mood Disorders Ottawa (MDO), formerly Depression and Manic Depression Mutual Support Group, is seeking volunteers to help with a variety of functions including fundraising, bookkeeping, and events organization. MDO welcomes volunteers with different backgrounds and skill sets including persons who live with or have recovered from mental illness. The organization is in need of new board members as well who will seek nomination at its June annual general meeting. Board members must be able to meet a time commitment of one evening meeting each month (usually the 1st Wednesday) as well as a couple hours extra per month for board work. Positions to be filled include the roles of President, Vice-President (x2), Treasurer, and others.

The Ottawa-based organization is also looking for speakers for it's upcoming 2007-2008 season. Health professionals are encouraged to share with MDO information relevant to the mood disorders community. These Information Meetings are open to the public and held on the 3rd Tuesday each month from 7:30-9:30 at the Southminster Church, 15 Aylmer Ave.

MDO offers mutual support discussion groups for people with mood disorders to share their experiences. As well, MDO offers a family support group in Orleans and is looking to establishing one downtown. A volunteer is needed to help develop this new group and to facilitate the sessions.

For any questions about MDO and to learn how you can volunteer, please contact Barbara, MDO President, at (613) 729-4831.

Joni Boon

(January 17, 1975 – February 16, 2007)

Beautiful, intelligent, charismatic and creative. A teacher, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Joni was truly a wonderful person.

Like most people, Joni got sick from time to time. She lived with bipolar disorder, a mental and physical illness, but was otherwise very healthy. Joni did everything she could to look after herself.

Unfortunately, bipolar disorder brought Joni into a deep depression – worse than anything she’d experienced before.

Some people say she took her own life. They’re wrong. She did not want to die. She loved life more than anything else. She wanted to live it, give it, and make it – she wanted children. But, mental illness took it all away.

Things I’ve learned from Joni:

*Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed about

*You are not your illness, it is only part of you

*Once you’ve been diagnosed with mental illness, you gain control and can learn how to live better

*If you have mental illness, research as much as you can about it

*Mental illness can be used as a tool for helping others. For example, Joni introduced me to Motherisk – a program at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto where mothers-to-be learn about the risks associated with medications during pregnancy. I am currently participating in an SSRI study as part of the non-pregnant control group.

*Sadly, Joni’s death is proof that mental illness is very physical and kills 1000's of Canadians each year.

For Joni, please give to the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario or a mental health organization of your choice.