“When the world says ‘Give up,’ hope whispers ‘Try it one more time.’” -Anonymous

Welcome to the Patients’ Voice Newsletter Inside this Issue 1- Recipe of the month 2- Winter wear/ from your Patient Council 3- Making a wish list/ Belong to Song 4- Belinda’s poem 5- What makes a difference 6- Family satisfaction survey 7- Drop-In Centre update

The Patients’ Voice

Volume 1, Issue 2 Fall 2012

THE PATIENTS’ COUNCIL OF REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Recipe of the month:

Greek Ziti

Ingredients: 1 cup canned low- sodium chicken broth or homemade stock 3 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts ( about 1 pound in all) cut into ½ - inch cubes 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 tablespoon lemon juice 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about ¾ cup) I teaspoon salt ½ pound ziti ½ teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes , halved Directions: In a large frying pan, simmer the oregano and the chicken broth until ½ cup of liquid remains in the pan about 4 minutes. Stir in the chicken cubes cover the pan and remove it from the heat. For about eight minutes let the chicken steam in the hot broth until done. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the ziti until just done around 13 minutes. Drain the pasta toss it with the chicken mixture, lemon juice, the feta, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is completely melted. Toss in the cherry tomatoes.

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The weather is getting colder now and it’s time to get your wardrobe ready for winter. You will probably need a few sweaters, some warm pants and a good winter coat, scarf and gloves. If your coat doesn’t have a hood on it: a good winter hat is essential. Where can you get these clothes? You could try stores such as Talize, Goodwill Industries, Value Village, the Salvation Army thrift store, and The Boutique here at RMHC. They have affordable clothing that allows you to stock up on winter essentials. Remember that layering your clothing helps to keep you warm and that when outside in cold weather, you should be wearing a hat, and good winter boots.

From your Patient Council

The Patient Council is looking for members! We encourage both inpatients and outpatients to participate in our activities. As a council member, you have a voice in the hospital and you can vote on important issues at our monthly meetings. The Patient Council currently has openings for board members. Board members are required on our council in order to vote, and are often involved in planning for meetings. Council members are involved in hospital committee meetings, social activities such as coffee days, the patient drop-in center, and speaking at community meetings. The Council also gets involved in activities at RMHC, such as the summer BBQ and the strawberry social. If you would like to get involved, come visit us in room C-148 or call 519-455-5110 ext 47064. In St. Thomas, we are located in room C-126 or call 519-631-8510 ext 49646.

Winter wear

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Making a wish list

What do you dream about doing? Do you have a wish list? A wish list is a list of goals or dreams you would like to accomplish in your lifetime. They can be funny; such as telling jokes or watching a comedian perform, or serious, such as a visit with a relative from a different country. They may also be scaled down; for instance, climbing Mount Everest may change to hiking near the Grand Canyon. You don’t have to have a long wish list, just make sure it is yours alone. Writing down your wishes will help you decide which ones will make your main wish list. Brainstorm places and people you would like to see or meet, keeping in mind your talents/hobbies and take ideas from there. Remember that your wish list should be safe and law- abiding. You can have more adventurous goals like sky- diving or bungee jumping, but ensure you have the training first.

By: Stephanie Taylor.

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Belong to Song Do you enjoy music? Do you play an instrument or sing or just like to relax and listen? If so, you may enjoy attending Belong to Song. This is an event for people with lived experience of mental illness and their friends and families. It is put on by the Mental Health Promotions Committee, a network of agencies and people aiming to reduce the stigma of mental illness. It takes place once a week on Thursdays, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at Old East Studios at 755 Dundas Street (between Lyle and Rectory). They have an electronic drum kit, a piano, an acoustic guitar and a bass guitar – or you can bring your own. Light refreshments are served at no charge.

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The Patients’ Voice

Before Treatment:

They’re watching, conspiring and they’re spying. Turn my head and they are looking and lying.

My head is full of doubts and pain. I am slowly going sick and insane.

I am living in a hole, I can’t dig out of. I don’t have any feelings of love.

From these bonds, please cut me loose. I just can’t take anymore abuse.

After Treatment:

My eyes are lifted, my ears in tune.

It’s such a beautiful afternoon. Life has never felt so wonderful.

No more nightmares, a peaceful lull. The birds are singing, and I whistle. No more life of thorns and thistles.

Recovery is so very, very good. I feel the way I always should.

-Belinda Rogers-King

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What makes a difference in your day?

We want to help patients feel welcome and supported during their stay at

Regional Mental Health Care.

Patients’ Council is looking for stories from you…

Do you have a story about how you felt welcomed and cared for by staff?

Do you have a story about the difference it made in your day, because someone asked, “How can I help you?”

Do you have a story about the difference it made in your day, because someone had a

conversation with you or encouraged you to take part in an activity that helped you to meet your goals?

Do you have a story about how your inpatient experience helped you succeed in the

community?

You can choose if you would like to include your name with your story, however names are not required.

Please drop your stories off at the Patients’ Council office, located in Room C 148 or

call (519) 455-5110 ext. 47064. In St. Thomas, we are located in Room C 126 or call (519) 631-8510 ext. 49646, and we can pick your story up from you.

RMHC satisfaction survey for family members / most frequent visitors

Aligned with our commitment to patient-centered care, Regional Mental Health Care (RMHC) will conduct the annual satisfaction survey for family members/most frequent visitors of inpatients. The survey will assist RMHC in identifying areas of accomplishment and opportunities for improvement.

The survey will be mailed by NRC Picker Canada in October. Patients must provide consent to allow NRC Picker Canada to mail their family member/most frequent visitor a survey. Additionally, patients will identify the family member/most frequent visitor to be contacted. In the event that a patient is incapable to consent, the Substitute Decision Maker will be approached for consent.

The survey will ask family members/most frequent visitors questions regarding their satisfaction with the quality of care and services provided, the living environment, communication, patient care, and more. All information provided is confidential and results will be reported collectively.

For more information on the survey, please contact Kristen Lethbridge, Quality Measurement & Clinical Decision Support.

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Drop-In Centre update

The drop-in centre at RMHC London has been open every Monday evening

since May 2012, and has been steadily growing

We are working towards opening the centre on a second evening each week

Patient attendance has been increasing over the past few months, and there is an average of 18 patients attending each night

Supplies have now been purchased for both the London and St. Thomas drop-in centres, including a new Wii system with games, arts and crafts, paints, and new board games/cards

A suggestion box will be provided at the centre. We encourage all patients to share ideas/suggestions on what activities they would like to see

A ping-pong table has been added to the centre and is now a very popular activity

The drop-in centre in St. Thomas will be opening in September

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The Patients’ Voice