ST JOHN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH
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Mission Statement
Goal of group is to offer supports to individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness such as Schizophrenia and bi-polar. We strive to reduce isolation, encourage community inclusion, and promote overall wellness.
About This Cause
The NEW “Nurturing & Empowering Wellness” Group Partnership with St. Joh The Evangelist Church Cold Lake and Assertive Outreach Services. Goal of group is to offer supports to individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness such as Schizophrenia and bi-polar. We strive to reduce isolation, encourage community inclusion, and promote overall wellness. Nurturing - We have 10 participants who are currently living with mental illness in our group. We strive to nurture / help develop life skills from a person-centered trauma informed approach. Teach and support learning. Empowering - The next step is to empower participants to live their best recovery life at their on pace. This is the stabilization stage where participants are remaining medication compliant, are housing stable and attending group regularly. Wellness - The end goal is living a life of wellness where participants graduate to Peer Helpers / the stage of giving back. Participants will help new members on their wellness journey. The concept is based on the medical theory of learning which is See One, Do One, Teach One. Why the need? Statistically individuals with severe mental illness live an estimated 13 years less than the general population. They are at higher risk of suicide and the least likely to access help. Traditional mental health services are not appropriate for severe and persistent mental illness as participants require lifelong support. The NEW group will provide a safe space where participants who do not fit in anywhere else can feel welcomed. Our members face stigma and are often the victims of violence. Thankfully the NEW Group will offer Continued Inclusion as a member is a member for life. We recognize the cyclical nature of mental illness and want to provide continued support no matter where participants are on their recovery journey. Referrals will come from Psychiatrist and Mental Health. Individuals living with Schizophrenia will have priority. Participants will be over the age of 18. Participants will have primary diagnosis such as Schizophrenia Spectrum or other psychotic disorders; Bipolar and related disorder; depressive disorder, anxiety disorder; and obsessive-compulsive. Groups will follow a social recreational model which promotes the concepts of participation, personal development, and individual empowerment. The objectives are to establish restorative activities where members can focus on strengths and abilities and develop the social skills and executive functioning needed to integrate their “new normal” back into the community with confidence. Family Supports – The NEW Group will also include family members in activities to promote family reunification and encourage family members to connect with others who understand the unique struggles faced by caregivers of an individual living with mental illness. The NEW group will collaborate with the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta to offer groups for the family to learn the foundational concepts about psychosis and schizophrenia. Reducing the risk for caregiver burnout, increasing knowledge that schizophrenia is biologically-based and is no more a product of poor character or immorality than diabetes or cancer. We hope to offer the LEAP education program to family members and host virtual events streamed live from the Edmonton Schizophrenia Office. Community Inclusion – The goal is to increase altruistic traits through opportunities to give back to the community through the following ways: SEWING GROUP: Lakeland Humane Society - Sewing fleece booties for the dogs at the Lakeland Humane Society. Bonnyville Indian Metis Rehabilitation Centre – Sewing sweat gowns to be worn in the sweat lodge ceremony. Indigenous traditions require female participants attending the residential drug and alcohol treatment program to wear flannel gowns. There are many sewing activities we hope to participate in which will help participants develop life skills and experience the joy of helping others in the community. Other activities could include participating in Days for Girls, making ribbon skirts, and making survival kits for individuals currently active in their addiction. GARDENING GROUP: Cold Lake Community Garden – We will teach gardening skills as we volunteer to help the Cold Lake Community Garden communal plots grown for donation to the Cold Lake Foodbank. THERAPY GROUP: Women’s sharing circle, Men’s sharing circle, Bible study group and therapy group activities to increase emotional intelligence, promote healthy relationships and symptom management. painting group LIFE SKILLS GROUP: Household management / life skills such as cleaning, how to pay bills on time, and eviction prevention. STRESS & LEISURE GROUP: Painting as art therapy, music and friends’ karaoke group, Addiction Relapse Prevention - Living life sober skills, AA Guest Speaker. PHYSICAL FITNESS GROUP: Walking group, bi-weekly bowling, increase physical activity. This will be an important part of the recovery process as the side effects of frequently prescribed psychotropic medication increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke due to metabolic disorders. Part of this group will include bi-weekly weight recordings, blood pressure checks done by volunteer Nurse and waist circumference measurements.