Registration is requested
If you would like to attend the June 7th session, you can register by clicking HERE.
FREE admission

Presenters
Dr. Tyler Black, Clinical Head
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Emergency Unit
British Columbia Children’s Hospital

Date
Thursday June 7, 2012

Time
Presentation and Q&A Session – 7:00 to 8:30 pm
(Doors open at 6:30 pm)

Location:
Auditorium, The Royal
1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa

For more information, please contact Sue Riley at sue.riley@theroyal.ca

Ottawa, May 8, 2012 – In just over a year, Women for Mental Health, a new philanthropic program of The Royal, has raised over $1M to support mental health research and transform the way mental illness is treated.  Over 400 Ottawa women gathered today for Tea @ 12 to celebrate this accomplishment and inspire even more support for mental health.

“One in five Canadians will suffer from mental illness in their lifetimes.  Mental illness affects all of us, if not individually, then through our friendships, workplaces or families,” said Andrée Steel, president and CEO, Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. “Women for Mental Health is engaging the passion of women to make a difference to inspire new attitudes about mental health and transform lives.”

Women for Mental Health at The Royal started in March of 2011 with 20 women coming together to create a strong network supporting mental health. The program has grown to over 200 members and raised in excess of $1 million as part of The Royal’s $25 million Campaign for Mental Health. Today, current members of Women for Mental Health brought their female friends and colleagues to Tea @ 12 to inspire them to join the movement as it embarks on another year of action.

Tea @ 12 was hosted by comedian Jessica Holmes who entertained with her Celine Dion impression before sharing her own experience with post-partum depression. Also at the event, Inspiration Award recipient Kristin Shannon shared her personal story about living with bipolar disorder in an on-stage interview CBC host Robyn Bresnahan. Lee Ann Lees and her son JD shared their family’s story about losing a loved one to suicide. 

It’s time to make mental health a priority in our families, our workplaces, and our society – that is what Women for Mental Health is about,” said Nancy O’Dea, Inaugural Chair of Women for Mental Health. “Through philanthropy, shared experiences, open conversations and true collaboration we can bring change to the way people think about mental health and transform patient care and research.”

Tea @ 12 took place at the Hampton Inn in Ottawa.

For more information, contact: Karen Monaghan, 613-722-6521 ext. 6449 or karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca

Women for Mental Health Twitter Hashtag: #RoyalOttWomen4mh

Over the past year, over 200 Ottawa women have come together to create a strong network of women supporting mental health at The Royal. They are Women for Mental Health and their goal is to inspire conversations and support for mental health – to shift attitudes and make real progress in changing the way people think about mental health. On Tuesday, May 8^th, many of these women will bring their female friends and colleagues to Tea @ 12 to inspire them to join the movement.

Women for Mental Health is a philanthropic program at The Royal that will help transform patient care and research. In its inaugural year, the program has raised close to $1 million as part of The Royal’s $25 million Campaign for Mental Health.

Event Details

What: Women for Mental Health Tea @ 12 in support of The Royal. At the event women and families who have been touched by mental illness will share their personal and courageous stories, including the story of a young woman’s struggle with bipolar disorder and a family’s struggle with the suicide of a loved one.

Who: Tea @ 12 will be hosted by comedian Jessica Holmes and attended by 400 women including community leaders, business people, entrepreneurs and moms. Tea @ 12 is an invitation only event, media are welcome to attend.

When: Tuesday, May 8, noon to 1:30pm

Where: Hampton Inn, 100 Coventry Road, Ottawa;

Media Contacts:
Karen Monaghan, 613.784.9482, karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca
Sue Riley, 613.899.3088, sue.riley@theroyal.ca

Speakers at the conference will include Dr. John Bradford, a world renowned forensic psychiatrist who led the creation of the STU; Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator of Canada; and Margaret Trudeau who will speak about reaching out to the mentally ill female offender. Click here for the full conference agenda.

Media are welcome to attend. More information about the conference can be found here: http://www.theroyal.ca/en/blog/2011/12/15/mental-health-in-corrections-best-practices-and-the-secure-treatment-unit-model/

Media contact:
Karen Monaghan
613.722.6521 ext. 6449
karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca

Ottawa, May 1, 2012—The second week of May is both Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week in Ontario. The Ottawa Community Suicide Prevention Network has compiled a list of mental health awareness events in Ottawa for the interest of media and the public. In addition, mental health experts are available to speak to media about developing resiliency in children and youth, from infancy to young adulthood, as well as the brain chemistry behind youth mental health (see the network’s April 24th news release for the list of experts).

A FREE MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION
EVENING FOR PARENTS

Ottawa Public Health

Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 7-9 pm (English)
Bridlewood Elementary School,
63 Bluegrass Drive, Kanata

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 from 7-9 pm (English)
Jim Durrell Complex,
1264 Walkley Rd. Ottawa

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 7-9 pm (English)
City of Ottawa Client Services,
255 Centrum Blvd., Orléans

ottawa.ca/health – ottawa.ca/sante | 613.580.6744

Youth Mental Health Program

Youth Services Bureau
May 7, 2012
10:00-11:30 am
Earl of March High School

Canadian actress and singer Jasmine Richards (Camp Rock) launches her new song as part of a mental health awareness program for the grade 9 and 10 students at Earl of March High School.

Contact: Ted Charette, 613.729.0577 ext. 1260

Tea@ 12
The Royal
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Noon – 1:30 pm
Hampton Inn

Mental health advocate, Jessica Holmes, and other members from our community will share highly emotive personal mental health stories. This event is part of the Women for Mental Health program at The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. The tea is by invitation only; media are welcome.

Contact: Karen Monaghan, 613.722.6521 ext. 6449  karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca

Feel Peace, Strength and Healing – Free Yoga/Gong Sessions for Youth and Adults
The Royal
Tuesday, May 8
7 to 7:45 pm
and
Wednesday, May 9
4:15 to 5 pm
The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, 1145 Carling Ave., meet in the front lobby.

A symphonic gong makes all the sound vibrations in the universe. When the gong is played live in a yoga or meditation class, those vibrations actually give you the sensation of a deep and lasting massage: you lay down and the vibrations of the gong wash over your whole body, releasing stress and tension. It also makes your nerves stronger, it clears and recharges your both, you mind and your spirit. It give your mind a break and helps you release negativity.

Contact: Rachel Scott-Mignon, 613.722.6521 ext. 6485  rachel.scott-mignon@theroyal.ca

Mental Health in Motion – Bridging Mind and Body.
Family Services à la famille Ottawa

Thursday, May 10, 2012
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
312 avenue Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa
Tel/ Tél: 613.725.3601 ext. 147

Family Services Ottawa and its partners will be hosting a free one-day conference highlighting the impact of movement on mental health.

Arts Café
Canadian Mental Health Association (Ottawa branch)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Jean Piggott Hall
City Hall, 110 Lisgar Ave. West

Music, art, poetry and storytelling sponsored by Ottawa Salus and CMHA

Awareness of Mental Health in the Workplace
Canadian Mental Health Association (Ottawa branch)
Friday, May 11, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
CMHA, Ottawa Branch – Boardroom A
1355 Bank Street, suite 402

Helping build awareness of what it is like to experience conditions like depression or anxiety at work. Registration is required.

Contact: Renée Ouimet
613.737.7791 extension 124

Friends with Benefits
In support of The Royal (Jennie James Depression Research Fund)
Friday, May 11
8pm to close
Elmdale Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street West

Friends With Benefits (FWB) was conceptualized by a group of friends whose aim is start a dialogue to reduce the social stigma around depression. By getting our friends, coworkers and neighbours together to share stories, we hope to illustrate that there are many people who are successful, contributing members of the community that are living (and thriving) with mental illness. FWB will also feature a silent auction and sweaty dance party featuring DJs Zattar, Memetic and Eric Roberts – the DJs responsible for the always super fun Timekode.

Contact for media: Karen Monaghan, 613.722.7621 ext. 6449 karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca
Contact for tickets/general info: http://werfriendswithbenefits.wordpress.com/contact/

Conversations at The Royal: Battling Operational Stress Injuries
The Royal
Thursday, May 17
Presentation and Q&A Session: 7 to 8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm, registration requested)

Psychological injuries caused by combat, law enforcement and other operational and service-related duties have become under greater scrutiny in course of modern wars and conflicts. There is a need for better understanding of how the extreme stress may affect the brain and the mind of veteran warriors and uniformed services members, and how they and their families may benefit from prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The Royal’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clinic has worked with over 500 veterans, soldiers and RCMP members since it’s opening in 2009. Our presentation will include reviewing the nature of OSIs in veterans, the services of OSI Clinic, and sharing a veteran’s perspective.

Contact: Sue Riley
613.722.6521 ext. 6349, sue.riley@theroyal.ca

Parler pour démystifier les problèmes reliés à la dépression, au suicide et à l’anxiété chez les jeunes.
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Le jeudi 24 mai 2012
19:00 à 21:00
Auditorium au Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
704, chemin Carson, Ottawa.

Cette soirée d’information permettra aux parents d’échanger avec les membres d’un panel d’experts en santé mentale de la communauté.

Contact: Ann Fuller
613.737.7600

Ottawa, April 24, 2012—The second week of May is both Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week in Ontario. In Ottawa, mental health experts are available to speak to media about developing resiliency in children and youth, from infancy to young adulthood, as well as the brain chemistry behind youth mental health.

Resiliency in ages 0 to 6

• Cristina Costantini-Allguren is a trilingual (English, French and Italian) Public Health Nurse with 12 years’ experience with Ottawa Public Health. She is the team lead of the Early Child Health program and has extensive experience working with new mothers, supporting children’s healthy development, and working with families in the community.

Contact: Ben Leikin, OPH, Benjamin.leikin@ottawa.ca, 613-580-6744 x21061

Building resilient kids and teens : practical tips for parenting

• Dr. Phil Ritchie is CHEO’s expert on building resilient kids. Dr. Ritchie worked at the Ottawa Board of Education and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for 17 years. He currently works at CHEO as a psychologist, specializing in mood and anxiety disorders, urgent care, disaster response, and helping parents build resilient teens. (Pre-teen and teenage years)

• Dr. John Lyons is CHEO’s Endowed Chair in child and youth mental health research, and an internationally recognized expert in suicide and access to care. (Travelling and available by telephone only.)

Contact: Ann Fuller, Media Relations, CHEO – afuller@cheo.on.ca, 613-737-7600, ext 2658, 613-883-7485 (mobile)

• Benjamin Leikin is the Mental Health Project Officer at Ottawa Public Health, where he has contributed to the Department’s Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Strategy. He holds a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Public Administration, specializing in health policy.

Contact: Ben Leikin, OPH, Benjamin.leikin@ottawa.ca, 613-580-6744 x21061

• Dr. Martine Flament can speak about protective factors for eating disorders and suicidal ideation in youth. For example, something as basic as sitting down regularly for family meals can help build resiliency towards some disorders plus it provides a great opportunity for those all-important conversations about mental health. Dr. Flament would speak based on her research as the director of the Youth Research Unit at The Royal.

Contact: Karen Monaghan, Communications Manager, The Royal, karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca,  613.722.6521 ext. 6449, cell: 613.784.9482

Mental health services for the teen years

• Joanne Lowe, MSW, is the Youth Services Bureau’s executive director. YSB provides youth and family counselling, crisis services and mental health programs in schools. Ms. Lowe was previously a manager in the Child and Youth Specialized Psychiatric and Mental Health Services at CHEO, and Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch. (Available May 9 to 11 only.)

• Francine Gravelle is the director of Mental Health Services for the Youth Services Bureau and has worked with youth and their families in the mental health field for over 20 years. She has been a counsellor, a clinical supervisor, and a lecturer for the department of psycho-education at the Université du Québec en Outaouais.

Contact: Lina Harper, Communications, YSB – lharper@ysb.on.ca, 613-729-1000 x1206, 613-277-7103 (cell)

Transitioning to adulthood

• Dr. Rob Milin can discuss mental health in the high school years including the risk factors and signs of illness as well as the importance of mental health awareness among youth. Dr. Milin can also shed light on the transition from youth to adulthood in terms of common issues, resiliency, and different types of supports (both social – like moving away from family, going to university, etc. – and in the clinical realm). Dr. Milin is the director of the Adolescent Day Treatment Unit in The Royal’s Youth Program. He is also conducting a mental health curriculum study in local Schools.

Contact: Karen Monaghan, Communications Manager, The Royal, karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca, 613.722.6521 ext. 6449, cell: 613.784.9482

• Dan Sabourin is the director of Community Services at YSB, providing emergency shelter, housing, health care, addictions programs and a range of services to street-involved and homeless youth, many of whom struggle with mental health issues.

• Stacey Lauridsen is the Assistant Director of Community Services at YSB, including a Youth Health Clinic, Downtown Services and Drop-In, and housing programs. Stacey has worked extensively with homeless and at-risk youth, including counselling, crisis intervention, and assessment services.

Contact: Lina Harper, Communications, YSB – lharper@ysb.on.ca, 613-729-1000 x1206, 613-277-7103 (cell)

Brain Chemistry

• Dr. Georg Northoff: We all know about the changes the human body goes through during puberty, but what about the brain? The brain is essentially re-wired during puberty and this may be connected to the development of mental illness and suicidal ideation in youth. The Royal’s Dr. Georg Northoff can speak about what goes on in the minds of youth (literally!) based on his research using brain scans to study mental health. Dr. Northoff is the director of the Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit as well as Canada’s Research Chair in Neuropsychiatry.

Contact: Karen Monaghan, Communications Manager, The Royal, karen.monaghan@theroyal.ca, 613.722.6521 ext. 6449, cell: 613.784.9482

About the Community Suicide Prevention Network

The Community Suicide Prevention Network is made up of hospitals, child and youth agencies, public health organizations, police, United Way, school boards, mental health organizations, universities, and committed families and individuals. It is has received dedicated support and guidance from MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Yasir Naqvi and Ottawa City Councillor Allan Hubley. In addition, it has received generous support from Bell. http://www.facebook.com/preventingsuicide

A symphonic gong makes all the sound vibrations in the universe. When the gong is played live in a yoga or meditation class, those vibrations actually give you the sensation of a deep and lasting massage: you lay down and the vibrations of the gong wash over your whole body, releasing a lot of stress and tension. It also makes your nerves stronger, it clears and recharges your body, your mind and your spirit. It gives your mind a break and helps you release negativity.

Date
April 11, April 25, May 9 and May 23 from 4:15 to 5 pm
May 8 from 7 to 7:45 pm

held at
The Royal’s Butterfly Garden (meet in front lobby at 4 pm)
1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa

For more information:
613.722.6521, ext. 6485 or
rachel.scott-mignon@theroyal.ca

Click here for PDF poster

This is your chance to take part in FREE 12-week music program for youth (14-18 years) affected by mental illness including lessons with a local professional musician.

AUDITIONS on Friday, April 27th at 4 pm
Auditorium, The Royal, 1145 Carling Ave.

Bring your TALENT and your INSTRUMENT
(if you do not have an instrument, contact us at sue.riley@theroyal.ca)

RESERVE YOUR SPOT: send an email to
sue.riley@theroyal.ca or call 613.722.6521 ext. 6349

DON’T MISS THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY!!!

For those selected, regular practices will be on Saturdays at 10 am or 12 noon

Click here for the PDF poster.

For more information:
Sue Riley – sue.riley@theroyal.ca
Bluesfest – ottawabluesfest.ca/beintheband

“We welcome the addition of acute mental health services to the Brockville General Hospital and look forward to meeting the needs of our community as a fully operational Schedule 1 hospital facility,” states Ray Marshall, President and CEO of Brockville General Hospital. “This transfer includes the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team of Leeds, Grenville & South Lanark based at 25 Front Avenue West, and all inpatient and outpatient services based at the Elmgrove Unit of the Brockville Mental Health Centre—ECT, EEG, the Outpatient Team, and the Mental Health Crisis Team of Leeds & Grenville. The Elmgrove unit becomes part of the Brockville General Hospital and will operate under the BGH umbrella of services as BGH Elmgrove Site.”

The majority of services at Elmgrove will remain in the present location until the third floor of the BGH Charles Street Site is renovated. The target construction completion date is the fall of 2013.The operating budget for all these services will be approximately $13 Million in 2012/13.

“The Royal is proud to have maintained excellent patient care during this transition process. The needs of clients and their families were our central focus throughout this time,” says George Weber, President and CEO of The Royal. “The Royal is a key service provider in Brockville and will continue to deliver specialized mental health services,” he adds.

The Brockville Mental Health Centre, under The Royal, maintains its integrated forensic treatment program and specialized mental health treatment of serious and complex mental disorders for incarcerated males in cooperation with The Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The Royal’s specialized community teams continue to provide all of their services in Brockville, including the dual-diagnosis ACT teams, the psycho-geriatric community team and the homes for special care.

Sixty-eight staff members are transferring from the Brockville Mental Health Centre to BGH Mental Health Services. Brockville General Hospital has also hired 46 new staff, outside of the transfer process.

Together the South East LHIN and Champlain LHIN have worked diligently to finalize arrangements by which this transfer could take place.

“Our two LHINs have worked very closely with MOHLTC and the hospitals to make this divestment work in a way that will best accommodate patients, and I’m especially thankful for the commitment of the Royal Ottawa and Brockville General Hospitals to the successful implementation of this complex process,” says SE LHIN CEO Paul Huras. “I’m particularly pleased and gratified that we have been able to achieve a resolution that will ensure top quality patient care while enabling us to cover the costs of these transfers without imposing an additional burden on the taxpayers of Ontario,” he adds.

“The Champlain LHIN is supportive of this transfer of services and has collaborated with other organizations, including the South East LHIN, to ensure the project’s success,” says Chantale LeClerc, Champlain LHIN CEO. “The initiative is a good example of how partners can work together to best meet the needs of their communities.”

-30-

Brockville General Hospital is a two-site community hospital that recently marked 125 years of service to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville—serving a catchment area of 66,000 residents (a mix of rural and smaller urban communities including the City of Brockville) and referral area of up to 125,000 people. BGH is located approximately 85 kilometres east of Kingston, Ontario, nestled on the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River and framed by the beautiful Thousand Islands region. The BGH Charles Street Site offers full acute care services while the Garden Street Site specializes in complex/palliative care, and rehabilitation. In addition to these, BGH sponsors an Assault Response & Care Centre. Brockville General Hospital employs over 830 staff; in addition, it relies on the support of over 140 physicians and 350 volunteers. BGH maintains a formal academic relationship with Queen’s University in Kingston, and is an active member of the South East LHIN. For more information, visit www.bgh-on.ca.

The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres. Its mandate is simple: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. The Royal combines the delivery of specialized mental health care, advocacy, research and education to transform the lives of people with complex and treatment resistant mental illness. The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health raises funds that support The Royal’s work while placing a sharp focus on awareness building through the You Know Who I Am campaign. For more information, please visit www.theroyal.ca

For more information, please contact:

Maggie Wheeler
Communications Officer
Brockville General Hospital
613.345.5649 ext. 1504 613.697.2000
whema@bgh-on.ca

Nicole Loreto
Chief Communications Officer
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
613.697.2000
nicole.loreto@leroyal.ca

Brought to you by the Child and Youth Specialized Psychiatric Mental Health Services (CY-SPMHS) at The Royal and CHEO

DATE: Friday, May 25, 2012

TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

SPEAKERS:

Smita Thatte, MD, FRCPC
Hazen Gandy, MD, FRCPC
Darren Courtney, MD, FRCPC
Jacqueline Alexander, MSW, RSW
Karen McCallum, Dip.C.S., C.Psych Assoc.
CHEO DBT Team

LOCATION: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Associates in Psychiatry Auditorium
1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa

COST: $35               CLICK HERE to register

Learning Objectives:

In this half day conference, participants will:

1. Acquire a broad understanding of depression in Youth
2. Acquire understanding re: risk factors and risk assessment of suicidal youth
3. Acquire an overview of youth presenting with borderline personality disorder, and DBT Treatment from The Royal and CHEO

Target Audience:

This conference will be of interest to mental health professionals in the community, hospitals, mental health agencies, and the education sector.

Please see the attached poster for details.