(CAH) Community Events and Announcements: Mental Health Funding: Press Conference; Circus Circle Open House; New Website: Canadian Housing Equality Resources

[Darcy Harvey]

Hello Members,
 
Here are a few events and announcements that may interest you. As these are
organized outside of CAH please use the contact information provided with
each listing to obtain further information.
 
 
Thanks,
 
 
Darcy
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Community agencies demand review of current mental health services funding.

 

Halifax, NS - A press conference will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2007
in the Bloomfield Centre room 114 located at 2786 Agricola Street at
10:30am, where community agencies will come together and demand an
independent review of the current funding directed towards the delivery of
mental health services.

 

An under-funded and overburdened mental health system has affected
everything from hospital care to community agencies. As a result,
individuals are falling through the cracks unable to access essential
services in a timely fashion.

 

Carol Tooton Executive Director for the Canadian Mental Health Association
Nova Scotia Division said, "we feel such a review is necessary to provide
valuable factual information for those in the position who make funding
decisions, in order to recognize the need for additional resources."

 

Despite a growing need for community mental health services during the past
thirty-years, many agencies in Metro Halifax have experienced declining
budgets and are struggling to survive.

 

In Nova Scotia less than 4% of the Health Budget is allocated for mental
health services, which 1 in 5 Nova Scotians will access at least once in
their lifetime.

 

Compared to the national average of 5-11% this review will finally expose
the overwhelming situation and pressure that all sectors involved in mental
health services are constantly under.

 

Margaret Murray, a Program Coordinator of the building Bridges Program at
CMHA Halifax/Dartmouth Branch, describes mental health services as a
two-tier system where a minority of the population can afford privatized
treatment, but a majority must rely on the public system.

 

Donna Phillips, Director for the Elizabeth Fry Society sees daily the
outcomes of limited supports in the community and in the mental health
delivery system. 

 

She says her organization is concerned about the gaps in mental health
services and the real consequences to the women they support.

 

"We strongly believe that prisons are not the solution to providing
treatment for individuals living with a mental illness," said Phillips.

 

Community agencies aren't the only ones feeling the pressure. 

 

Sheila Morrison, CMHA Champion and care-giver for a family member for over 

15-years has experienced all the stressors inherent in the system.

 

"Families, exhausted by trying to fill in the professional gaps or
functioning as advocates, fall apart. These care-givers often become ill
themselves in response to the stress," said Morrison.

 

Carol Charlebois Executive Director of the Metro Non-Profit Housing
Association says her organization and the others involved are encouraging
other community agencies and members of the community to join them.

 

"We would like general practitioners, individuals in the justice system,
shelter workers, psychologists, friends and family members of those living
with a mental illness, anyone who has tried to get help and couldn't to add
their voice to our own," said Charlebois.

 

This review is long over due. If you care and want to make a difference add
your voice to those who want to make "Mental Health Matter".

 

The panel for Wednesday's press conference will include: Executive Director
Carol Tooton of the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division,
Program Coordinator Margaret Murray of the CMHA Halifax/Dartmouth Branch,
Executive Director Carol Charlebois, Metro Non-Profit Housing Association;
Executive Director Donna Phillips of the Elizabeth Fry Society, Coordinator
Francine Vezina of the Healthy Minds Cooperative, CMHA Champion Sheila
Morrison, and Ruth Larson will speak from lived experience.

 

On site will also be Margaret Murray from CMHA Halifax/Dartmouth Branch,
Beverley Cadham from CMHA Dartmouth Branch, and individuals who have been
affected by the current system.

 

The media is asked, if possible, to confirm their attendance in order to
have a sufficient amount of press kits available.

 

 

-30-

 

 

Media Contact:

Tony Kiritsis

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

CMHA NS Division

902-466-6600

 <mailto:tonycmhans at eastlink.ca> tonycmhans at eastlink.ca

  

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Circus Circle 

Open House

11:00 -1:00 on Tuesday, August 14 

St. Mathew's Church Gym, 1479 Barrington Street.

 

Circus Circle is a social circus program in Halifax for street-involved and
homeless youth, ages 16 - 30. It is inspired by the highly successful
program of the Cirque du Monde, the social outreach program of the Cirque du
Soleil. There are currently more than 100 Cirque du Monde programs in over
30 countries, including Canada and the U.S., and the Nova Scotia program
will become an official affiliate in 2008.

 

At Circus Circle, professional instructors teach circus skills such as
juggling, unicycling, diabolo and balance work in a fun and safe
environment. Circus Circle is free for participants, and runs every Tuesday
and Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00, at the St. Matthews Church Gym.

 

Circus Circle is a social circus program - the aim isn't to produce
professional performers, but to help develop autonomy, solidarity,
self-esteem, communication, expression, adaptability to change, and physical
fitness.

 

The Director, Mike Hirschbach, is a former performer with the Cirque du
Soleil, and since 2003 has been a Master Trainer with the Cirque du Monde.
Mike has taught worldwide: in Montreal, Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New
York, France, Burkina Faso and Cape Town, South Africa, and is now directing
Circus Circle in Halifax.

 

Circus Circle is sponsored by the Spring Garden Area Business Association,
and is proud to be funded by the United Way, the Campaign for Kids, Michelin
Canada, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, and Nova Scotia
Health Promotion and Protection.

 

For more information, call 423-3751, or visit the website,
www.circuscircle.ca.

 


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Hi Everyone, 

 

Just wanted to let you know about a new website related to discrimination
and housing ....

 

Canadian Housing Equality Resources is a new national website developed by
the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) to provide community
advocates with tools to effectively challenge discrimination in housing. The
site includes key case law related to human rights in housing, links to
relevant provincial and territorial human rights legislation, policy and
research documents, and a comprehensive guide for advocates.

 

CERA is an Ontario-based non-profit charitable organization dedicated to
promoting human rights in housing.

 

CHECK IT OUT:  <http://www.equalityrights.org/cher>
www.equalityrights.org/cher