News from the Centre: CrossCurrents Winter 2002/03

CrossCurrents

A new approach to care

CAMH has begun a pilot project at its Queen Street site, which is designed to test and refine a new approach to inpatient care. Earlier this year, CAMH opened the Integrated Rehabilitation Unit (IRU), which offers specialized services, based on a psychosocial rehabilitation model, in a more comfortable and home-like setting. Key to the IRU is the opportunity for clients to rebuild lost skill sets, with the goal of leaving the hospital to live independently in the community. For example, as part of the multidisciplinary care team, housekeeping staff teach clients basic domestic skills, such as making beds. Not all elements of the setting were implemented due to the building's constraints. However, clinical needs and changes and the impact of the milieu setting for clients will continually be evaluated to help CAMH refine the design of the Alternate Milieu units planned for the redeveloped Queen Street site.

New CAMH resources

A new pocket guide has been developed to help front-line workers address the range of substance use issues they may encounter. Managing Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Problems: A Pocket Guide for Physicians and Nurses was developed collaboratively between experts at CAMH and St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto, and made possible through funding from the Lawson Foundation. CAMH has printed 8,500 copies of the guide, to be distributed free of charge to Ontario physicians and nurses.

To help children of parents with depression understand the disorder, CAMH has published the first storybook of its kind in Canada: Can I Catch It like a Cold? is written for children aged five to nine, to be used by family, teachers and mental health professionals.

To obtain copies of either of these products, contact Marketing and Sales Services at 1 800 661-1111.

Focus on creativity

Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, James K. Bartleman, has chosen mental health as a focal area during his term. As part of that commitment, he has agreed to be a patron of CAMH. In partnership with CAMH, new works from the artists of the Workman Theatre Project's (WTP) Being Scene are on exhibit at the Lieutenant Governor's suite at Queen's Park until March 2003. Another exhibit is planned for July 2005 to January 2006. CAMH is honoured by this opportunity for artists to showcase their talent in a prestigious public space, and encourages the public to learn more about these impressive works of art and their creators. To arrange a tour, contact Maria Luisa Casco at 416 325-7786.

WTP, in partnership with CAMH and its Foundation, is also planning the first Madness and the Arts World Festival. It will run March 21-30 and will feature more than 100 artists from around the world. For more information, visit www.madnessandarts.com.