Forward Action in Mental Health______________________________

Calgarians’ advocating for the mental health community

Hear more of the story at: www.faimhcalgary.weebly.com

Forward Action in Mental Health

• Who is FAiMH?• What is FAiMH striving for?• What has FAiMH accomplished?• What is FAiMH asking for?• Where to find more information about FAiMH?• Questions???

Who is FAiMH?

• Forward Action in Mental Health

• A group of Calgarians with lived experience

• An action advocacy group which has met bi-monthly for two years

• Independent of all other organizations and governments

What is FAiMH striving for?

• Using our collective voice to address mental/emotional health needs in the community

• Increasing our knowledge and advocacy skills through gathering, sharing and processing current events

• Proactively implementing our solutions to “fix the broken Alberta Health Care System”

What has FAiMH Accomplished?Over the past two years we have:

• Met bi-monthly to develop our collaborative voice and define what we want to achieve

• Hosted Alberta Ombudsman Peter Hourihanand met with former opposition leader and

Health Critic Dr. David Swann

• Crafted a letter to the Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman

• Engaged in the provincial election through the development of key message postcards

FAiMH is Advocating for:

1. Improved Access to Mental Health Services

2. Person Centered Care

3. Improved Quality

4. Prevention as the Priority

Improved Access to Mental Health Services:

• Local services

• Extended hours of community services

• More affordable and available counselling

• A simpler mental health system

FAiMH is Advocating for:

Person Centered Care

• Peer involvement and leadership

• Control over and choice of services

• Compassionate, client led services

• Emphasis on patient rights, including the ability to say the ability to say no

“Nothing About Us, Without Us!”

Improved Quality

• Staff training

• Safe places

• Trust in people encountered

• Kindness

• Reduced burden on crisis services

• Invest in prevention

Prevention as the Priority

911 - 211

Let’s Empower our Community!• Together we can fight stigma and take an active

role in making services and our community better.

• We meet the First and Third Wed 6:30-8pm at the Downtown Central Library

• Check us out www.faimhcalgary.weebly.com

• Contact advocacy@cmha.calgary.ab.ca or 403-297-1402

Forward Action in Mental Health__________________________________________

Calgarians advocating for the mental Health Community

90 out of 100 Albertans visit a family doctor in the 3 months before attempting suicide

There are over 121 AHS mental health and addiction services in Calgary with many more provided by non-profits and private companies “ I went to my family doctor and was never referred to a mental health program. It took me three years to find the right place for me” FAiMH Group Member

A simpler mental health systemHear more of the story at: www.faimhcalgary.weebly.com

Forward Action in Mental Health_____________________________________________

Calgarians advocating for the mental health community

Counselling is the largest unmet need of mental health services in Alberta with private sessions at $185 an hour

The majority of community mental health services in Alberta operate only Mon to Fri, 8am-4pm

"If you want to get help fast you have to pay for services, I couldn’t afford them so now I’m on a waitlist, I’m not sure how long I’ll have to wait” FAiMH Group Member

Affordable mental health servicesHear more of the story at: www.faimhcalgary.weebly.com

Forward Action in Mental Health_____________________________________________

Calgarians advocating for the mental Health community

“I don’t want to have to go to the hospital when I need help with my mental health. I want to be with my friends/family and community” FAiMH Group Member

Only 0.1% of the AHS Mental Health and Addiction budget is spent on prevention 0.1%

Services are focused on a reactive, acute-care model that requires Albertans to seek care at physician offices and specialty clinics

Deliver the services in the communityHear more of the story at: www.faimhcalgary.weebly.com

Forward Action in Mental Health_____________________________________________

Calgarians advocating for the mental health community

65,000 Calgarians mental health would benefit positively from life skills training and support

A team where everyone has the power tomake decisions, where the client is at thecentre is the most effective way to support People in their recovery.

“ I want the power to choose the services and specialists that work best for me…Why can’t mental health patients have that guarantee?” FAiMH Group Member

Let the client lead the serviceHear more of the story at: www.faimhcalgary.weebly.com

Questions?

References

T.Cameron Wild “Gap Analysis of Public Mental Health and Addictions Programs “(GAP MAP) Final Report February 2014