Caregivers

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Spotlight 2021 – The Impact of Covid-19 on Caregivers: Year Two

The Ontario Caregiver Organization published its 2021 Spotlight Report which sheds light on the caregiving experience in Ontario during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Caregivers have reported that they are experiencing more hardships, burnout, financial stress, struggles to balance work responsibilities and worry about the future of the healthcare system.Learn what you can do to help caregivers.

Caring for the Caregiver Conference

Caring for the Caregiver Conference, held on October 16 & 23, was a Joint project between Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare in Windsor, University of Windsor & WE-SPARK Health Institute. The virtual event focused on education, connections, and wellness for families who provide support to loved ones living with mental illness or addiction. The sessions and interactive elements were designed based on actual caregiver experiences and needs, as indicated during a recent research study. 

One of the topics was Consent and the Mental Health Act, presented by Mary Jane Dykeman & OFCAN Board member Angie Hamilton from FAR.  Recordings of all sessions will be shared on the WE-SPARK website

Carers of Young People with Mental Health Problems

Caregivers play a crucial role in the safety, recovery and long-term wellbeing of young people with mental health problems.  Explore the current state of knowledge about parental involvement in the management of anxiety and depression in young people; the burden, impact and needs of low and middle-income caregivers; and the policy implications for carers in the UK during COVID in this Lancet Psychiatry Series. Learn More

Videos for Caregivers of Individuals with Mental Illness and Addictions

Explore the various videos offered by the Ontario Caregiver Organization about caregiving for a loved one with a mental illness and/or addiction.  The 10 videos include themes such as accessing mental health and addiction support, finding hope, reality of caregiving, caring for a child or youth, caring for an adult, and the caregiver journey. Watch below or individually on the OCO Youtube Channel

Having information about patient care can be an important part of the caregiving role, yet Ontario’s health privacy laws and rules are complex and can be difficult to understand.  The Ontario Caregiver Organization has put together some new resources to help caregivers better understand health privacy and consent rules so they can better support their care recipients. Learn More

Caring for an Adult with Mental Health Challenges

Listen to experienced caregivers talk about their experiences supporting a loved one with a mental illness and find out what is on their Wish List to help support families who are navigating the addiction and mental health system.  

Talking to Children About Suicide

This new MHCC guide is designed to help parents, guardians and caregivers talk to children under 12 when a suicide occurs in their family or community.  Talking to children about a suicide can be difficult, but doing so can greatly benefit those who are facing this type of death. Learn More

Helping Children and Teens Through Mental Health Challenges

Top Canadian child and adolescent psychiatrists, Pier Bryden and Peter Szatmari, break down the stigma of mental health illness and walk parents through the warning signs, risk factors, prevention strategies and the process of diagnosis and treatment for mental health challenges arising from anxiety, depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, substance use disorders and many other mental health challenges.
Purchase here

Mental Illness Caregivers’ Association moves 20 year fundraiser to a virtual platform

Welcome to Mica’s Virtual Art in the Park. No One Walks Alone, We Walk With You. 
Visit website

Grow a Strong Family

It takes courage, strength, resiliency and resources to keep our families strong in the face of addictions and mental illness.  Grow a Strong Family is a US website that provides education, support and resources for families uprooted by mental illness and helps them to rebuild and thrive.  
Learn More

Ontario Caregivers and BounceBack

We have the support you need

It is important that caregivers support their own mental and physical health to ensure they can provide meaningful care to others.
Learn More

Connected Care Update

Announcement of Advisor on Public Health and Emergency Health Services Consultations
Click Here to read more.
Click Here to receive Connected Care Updates. 

Canadian Mental Health Association

Family Outreach & Response Program (FOR)

Who are FOR services for? 
Any family member or friend, living in the city of Toronto, supporting someone experiencing a mental health issue, regardless of whether or not they have received a diagnosis or are connected with the mental health system.
Click Here to learn more about FOR Programs and Services.

Health Standards Ontario Client and Family Information Sheet

The New Virtual Health Standard

This standard provides guidelines of excellence for organizations participating in virtual health services to improve the safety, quality and effectiveness of virtual health services.
Read this Information Sheet

The Rights of The Family Caregiver

The Rights of the Family Caregiver poster has been developed by the EMBRACE project for the Cornwall Hospital’s Community Addiction and Mental Health Services. 
To view the poster in English Click Here  French Click Here

The Importance of Empathy

We all are familiar with the benefits of feeling empathy, both for ourselves and for those who we are connecting with.  This VIDEO is a great reminder why empathy is fundamental to our well being and provides an easy to understand teaching tool about the importance of empathy.

Family Caregiver Community of Interest

A repository of articles and research on Family Caregiver
View Website