Lived Experience & Recovery Network

Peer Support in Northeastern OntarioAnnual Report 2011-2012Lived Experience & Recovery Network

What is LERN?The Lived Experience & Recovery Network is a networking body linking, supporting and educating all consumer/survivor and family organizations in the Northeast Region. Our network serves peer organizations and programs operating in over 20 communities across the northeastWe also network and advocate for our members at regional and provincial levelsWe offer mental health promotion programming throughout the regionOur goals: to increase the operational capacity of CSIsTo increase/strengthen the voice of CSIsTo reduce stigmaTo increase program and service effectiveness of CSIsTo reduce feelings of social and geographic isolationTo increase use of and access to information and communication technology2Why a regional network?Mandated as part of our funding agreementConnect CSIs/FIs, bridge geographic distances, reduce the feelings of isolationProvide resources, support and knowledge exchangeEnhance the effectiveness of CSI/FI programs and servicesBuild capacity within CSIs/FIs and peer programsProvide a unified voice at various planning tablesA number of years ago the Minister of Health identified and issued funding to all 14 LHIN regions for the purpose of bringing regional CSIs together to work on planning, coordination and input to the LHIN as well as to work cooperatively with other provincial network leads on relevant issuesCSI Builder report: CSIs in Ontario and elsewhere are proving their worth and could well be the fastest growing service in the mental health system throughout the world over the next 20 yrs. They are a very new type of service and the people who participate in them are disadvantaged by their experience of marginalization and stigma. For all these reasons policymakers, funder, planners, researchers and development agencies in Ontario must give urgent and ongoing attention and resources to CSIs and their workforce.Changing Directions, Changing Lives, the Mental Health Strategy for Canada recommends: 1. to Increase appropriate resourced peer support initiatives in both independent peer run agencies and mainstream settings and 2. to Build the capacity of local, regional, national organizations leb by and representing the interests of people living with mental illnesses to ensure their voices are heard.3LERN Programs & ServicesCharter of Peer SupportMental Health First Aid trainingWRAP trainingNOW StrategyOrganizational development and supportKnowledge Exchange Network, SPARK trainingCSI/FI and Peer Support advocacyPeer support for the peer supportersResponding to member requests and needs

KEN: Thorough and interactive website, with topic specific forumsSocial media facebook groups, WRAP network, Charter, LERNOrg development:Assist with fundraising, grant writing, policy and procedure development, needs assessments, operational and strategic planning, program planning and evaluation, etc.Support & Advocacy:Letter writing and communication/social marketing campaigns (eg, CSIs as a gateway to community)Represent members at various regional and provincial tablesCharter of Peer Support4New WRAP FacilitatorsLERN funded the training of 10 new WRAP facilitators from across the region. These folks can now offer WRAP groups as well as train others in WRAP one-to-one!

LERN has a network of WRAP facilitators across northeast Ontario. These folks can provide WRAP one-to-one trainings as well as organize and deliver WRAP groups in their communities. LERN staff are also available to assist, coordinate or facilitate WRAP one-to-one trainings when and where needed.Our WRAP network has its own dedicated facebook group and will be creating a calendar for next year, the proceeds of the sales will help to fund ongoing and refresher trainings5WRAP one-to-oneLERN can offer and/or arrange for WRAP one-to-one training for staff and volunteers of member organizations.

LERN offers WRAP one-to-one trainings as needed throughout the region. This initial training is also a prerequisite for the WRAP facilitator training. We will continue to offer this valuable opportunity as funding permits.6Regional Networking EventsLERN organizes and sponsors three to four regional networking events per year. These offer participants opportunities to meet other members, share information and learn.

At regional events we offer learning through sharing as well as through special guest speakers and workshops. This July we will be offering non-violent crisis intervention and fundraising training.7Fun and safe learning environment!LERN promotes safe, supportive and inclusive environments for members to learn, grow and share.

At our events we have between 20 and 45 people in attendance. We continuously evaluate our events and workshops to ensure that we are meeting members needs.8Team BuildingIntegrated in all our programming and events is the element of team building. Not just within each organization, but with members from across the network.

Many of our network members work in teams of one or may have a handful of volunteers to assist with programming. Experiencing team-building and connections at a regional level helps folks to know they are not alone, it is a place where they can get some additional support as well as valuable resources, skills and knowledge9NOW StrategyFunded through Healthy Communities grantAddresses physical activity and healthy eating practicesTeaches basics of mental health promotionProvides resources to offer PA an HE programsOn-site training available for members at no cost

sponsored the training of 10 Nutrition and Wellness Specialists through Can-Fit-Pro Canada. These folks will be prepared to provide group or individual wellness plans and programs within their centres/communityDeveloped a comprehensive mental health promotion toolkit and offer training on its use/applications one member agency describes this resource as her bible! The tool is paperless and interactive.TBGB 8 available and out in CSIs across the northeast, 12 more in development, new partnerships and funding being sought to develop an additional 12 bags potential to take this program to the northwest and potentially across Canada with a developing national partnership

10Getting active with Zumba!At all of our events we incorporate the principles and practices of our Northeast Ontario Wellness Strategy, which are to include physical activity and healthy eating!

Since introducing Zumba at a regional meeting as part of the NOW strategy, many members attend local Zumba classes with their members, staff and volunteers participate on their own for its benefits and some have opted to purchase Zumba for gaming systems or DVDsOne of our newest NOW resources that will be introduced in July is The Big Gym Bag it really is a big gym bag that is filled with all the resources one would need to offer physical activity and nutrition programming, from fact sheets and program plans to fitness equipment!11Laughter Yoga LeadersLERN has sponsored the training of Laughter Yoga Leaders and can offer assistance in setting up Laughter Yoga clubs in the community or in member organizations.

Laughter Yoga was initially suggested by a member we took this on as part of the NOW strategy and now have laughter yoga leaders trained and in place in almost every member agency location!

12Nutrition and Wellness Specialist Training10 folks from across the northeast received training through Can Fit Pro Canada as Nutrition and Wellness Specialists in June 2012. They will be writing their certification exams July 19th. Good Luck!!

The Big Gym BagEverything you need to run nutrition and physical activity programs; from the tools to the handouts to the program plans!

Charter of Peer Supportpromote peer support as a cost effective and integral part of the mental health and addiction systempromote the involvement and empowerment of people with lived experience and family membersshowcase the validity and value of peer support as a method of service deliveryencourage various stakeholders, partners and government agencies to invest in, recognize and appreciate the power of peer support to reduce incidence of use of services as well as to increase over-all well-being and self-reliance of peopleWorking in collaboration with peers from across Ontario as well as national partners we are hoping to release the Charter for public consultations later this yearThe group from Australia has given us permission to use their completed charter as the basis for oursOnce finalized the Charter can be endorsed by anyone or agency who agrees with its purpose and valueIt can be used by peer run organizations or peer programs as an educational tool, an advocacy tool, or it could be presented to potential funders or partners to help acquire program supportsEENet Partnership w/ Self help alliance15Stamp Out StigmaLaunch of Canada Posts new mental health awareness stamp. Proceeds from the sales of these stamps will be directed to grass-roots efforts to reduce stigma.

LERN is willing to attend, support and represent its members at various events. This year we are also reaching out to our friends in the Northwest by attending and giving a workshop during their annual conference this September.16Getting Involved!Our members sit on a variety of local, regional, provincial planning tables, committees and working groupsKeep in touch make use of social networking sites and communication technologiesVolunteer! Although we advocate for peers to have paid employment opportunities, volunteering is a great place to startLetter writing if issues about mental health and/or addictions are important to you, take the time to write to your local, provincial or federal government officialsGetting Involved!Show up! We are here for you, if people dont show up it could affect our programs/services in the futureLet us know what you need! Our programs/services are designed with your input to meet your needs!Get educated! There are lots of great learning opportunities, many of them are free or inexpensive, knowledge is a powerful toolBe a supporter! Peer support is a mutual relationship. It feels good to give as well as receive!Recognizing Peer Support Leadership & ExcellenceLast year, in partnership with PEPs Peer Support Week activities, we created and gave out our first award of recognition for a regional peer support leader!

Peer support is a career that many choose because they are passionate about helping and sharing with others. Unfortunately, this is not a career someone chooses in hopes of becoming rich and famous. It is important that we take the time to recognize the true value, hard work and dedication of peer supporters whenever possible.19Supporting our local talent!Whenever possible, LERN supports and promotes the talents of our members. The Freedom band playing at one of our AGMs, a highly talented group of peers!

Throughout the LERN network there are numerous talented artists, writers and musicians. We promote the talent within our network at every opportunity, from having local authors give talks at events, advertising in NISAs calendar, using our own photographs and artwork in marketing materials.20Supported EmploymentWe are active members of a regional Employment Advisory CommitteeOver 40 people, including those with lived experience, have received training and a university certificate in Supported EmploymentHosted a full-to-capacity workshop for employers and service providersCurrently working to deliver workshops and information sessions about supported employment and social enterprisehttps://sites.google.com/site/neontarioemploymentadvisory/Celebrating CSIs!This year marks our official 10 year anniversary!

LERN now offers MHFA training!For members/associate members the only cost associated with this training is that of the manuals. LERN sponsors the rest of the training. LERN can also offer MHFA to non-members on a fee-for-service basis.

Mental Health First AidMHFA teaches participants to help someone showing signs of a mental health problem or experiencing a MH crisis. The course aims to teach people to:Identify when a person may be a danger to themselves or to others and take steps to preserve lifeRecognize the early signs of MH problems and provide help to prevent more serious problems from developingProvide comfort to someone with a MH problem and support them in the recovery of their MHGuide a person towards the appropriate professional helpLERN staff is a MHFA instructor this training is now available at to all members, the only cost associated with this is the purchase of manuals from MHFA Canada LERN offsets all other costsOur first training session will be held in July in Elliot LakeAs of May 2012 there are now two MHFA Instructors in North Bay24MHFA in Elliot LakeJuly 3-4 travelled to Elliot Lake to teach MHFA Basic courseThis course was open to members of the Bee Hive13 people completed the course!Comments on the evaluations were all very positive, folks found the course materials, the presentation and the course itself as beneficial for peer supporters and some are planning to recommend this training for other community organizationsMHFA across the regionWill offered MHFA in Sundridge to employees of Employment North, regular fee is $225 per person, but we are offering a 15% group discountCurrently working with NISA to schedule MHFA in Sudbury

SPARK TrainingTaking a break near the Tall Ship from Indonesia

St. Johns NFLDNewfoundland and Labrador Dog monument

SPARK TrainingOur Mentor: John Garcia, Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Health Systems, university of WaterlooWe were one of two representing Peer SupportEngaging StakeholdersGetting Started with KTDesign, implementation and EvaluationKnowledge Translation ToolsOur next steps: Complete planning template and learning event summaryST. Johns NFLDQueens Battery, Signal Hill National Park

St. Johns NFLDEast end of the harbour

News and Activities Across the RegionExpansion of the WARM LineAlgoma MH&A IntegrationRegional recovery homes projectPeer support navigators in the NBRHC emergency departmentEmployment Advisory Committee, supported employment conference and social enterpriseCSIs providing source of peer support workers for other organizationsWRAP facilitator networkNE LHIN Regional MH & A Consultation GroupRealignment plans for Cochrane Hub Area and Temiskaming DistrictWarm line now operates in 5 communities in the northeast, providing pre-crisis support to callers and employment opportunities for people with lived experienceAlgoma is in the process of integrating all mh&a LHIN funded programs into one anchor agency. The anchor agency has been established and now has a CEO, board of directors and space, the process of integration continues to be ongoingRegional recovery homes are being established in North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins with the hopes of having peer supporters providing various levels of services and programs. There is also a regional committee that is in the process of establishing a research project based on the homes to gather evidence of their effectiveness as little research could be found on such homesNBRHC and PEP in North Bay have developed a partnership in which PEP provides peer navigators in the emergency department. Program development and research are ongoing EAC has held one full to capacity conference in Sudbury promoting the value of supported employment for people with severe and persistent mental illness. Numerous people have received certification in supported employment through Virginia Commonwealth University. The EAC is looking at hosting next learning events around social enterpriseCSIs in our region and in others are growing as a resource for other agencies from which to second peer supportersThe mh&a consultation group will advise the NE LHIN on the implementation of the provinces 10-year strategy, open minds, healthy minds and on important regional mh&a issues. They will also be working to answer such questions as: where in the system can we integrate to provide more efficient and equitable access for people; how might we bolster community capacity moving forward; and what opportunities might be embraced to advance care through ehealth technologiesCochrane Hub: realignment of 45 funded health service providers into clusters or regional provider networks as appropriate, they will be starting with five structured clustersTemiskaming district: realigning health service providers in the district into one district health governance entity. More information about these is available from the NE LHIN website

33On the HorizonEducational program in development to train 12-15 master trainers/facilitators of WRAP, MHFA, ASIST and moreProvincial and National partnerships in development to take the TBGB to the northwest and across Canada!Marketing of the TBGB and NOW resource guide to outside agencies to raise programming fundsWorking with CAMH to develop and deliver an anti-stigma presentation in hospital emergency departments and community agenciesResearch projects: Peer-staffed Regional Recovery Homes and Peer Support Workers in NE Ontario, Challenges and OpportunitiesChronic disease self management master training34What our members have to say...they do everything possible. They give good tools, they're always there to debrief - they do almost everythingover the last year LERN has been wonderful at working with us to make sure our needs have been met...fantastic all the way through. I'm impressed with their energy and intelligence"LERN (NEON) has built a vibrant and proactive presence in our region and is truly speaking into (and working into) pressing issues."LERN endeavours to meet the needs of our membership. To this end we conduct regular event evaluations and member needs assessments. New and/or revised programs and services are a direct result of member input!

LERN will work with and for our members as well as with various partners to ensure the continued growth and success of CSIs/FIs and peer programs in the region for the end result is to improve quality of life for and reduce stigma towards all people with lived experience 1 in 3 people will experience a mental health problem and 1 in 5 will experience it in the next 12 months! Mental Health affects everyone.35For more information and regular network updates visit us online at:www.livedexperience.orgYou can also find us on Facebook