I decided to write this after the feedback from an event in richmond hill, ontario put on by home on the hill, an organization which serves families and loved ones affected by serious mental illness.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning on may 10, this agency north of toronto held a luncheon in honour of mental health week. In the words of the president, kathy mochnacki, “ this event featured a panel consisting of a psychologist, psychiatrist and a social worker/art therapist and the goal was to give families information about schizophrenia and psychotic illness.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning our panel was stellar with psychologist, dr. Lori triano (president of the schizophrenia society of canada), psychiatrist, dr. David dawson and certified art therapist/social worker, joanna cheung from markham stouffville hospital’s mental health system.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning our local MP majid jowhari (member of parliament in ottawa) was there as were richmond hill C ouncillors, karen cilevitz, godwin chan, and tom muench from our municipal council, the york regional police,” and various mental health agencies.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning

When the person is diagnosed and that is usually in a hospital setting, the family should be told in a meeting with the staff who have cared for and diagnosed the person.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning you should be given information about the condition, an idea of treatments, prognosis, and what to expect down the road. You should also be provided with resources like books, pamphlets, courses and whatever might be of value.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning we got most of this.

Discharge should involve housing if that is needed and referrals for follow up care to doctors and agencies that will continue with the care and the road back to what may be a new normal.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning of course families should be involved with the follow up care. In my family’s case, appointments not only initially involved the psychiatrist but a nurse educator and referral to an excellent program called family education and training.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning

Families should always be involved on any ongoing care and treatment unless there are unique circumstances that prevent that. We have almost always been involved and able to talk to doctors or others.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning there was one time during a crisis where this did not happen and the result almost led to a very disastrous outcome. Fortunately, this was overcome much to everyone’s surprise and relief.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning

What I have described here are things that those with problems like cancer, diabetes, MS, and on and on mostly already receive now. There is no reason that psychiatric illnesses do not get those too.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning I can only suggest that all of you make those demands of your health care providers and be as insistent as you have to be. Don’t be afraid to threaten legal action or of notifying the press.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning never worry about what they may think of you but just do all you can to make them do the right thing. What do you care if they may not like you and not want to go have a coffee with you.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning

While I may be painting my own local hospital in a favourable light, it gets there partly because they get pressure from the community. A few years ago, one of the doctors leaked that there were plans to move a satellite unit servicing an area with limited resources to the main hospital.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning I wrote about it and others complained and the unit is still there today.

As the result of the overcrowding at the ER, arthur gallant was made to sit in the general waiting area, hands cuffed behind his back with a police officer on either side of him, he is suing the hospital for $25,000.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning I’ve corresponded with mr gallant over the years as he used to write a regular blog on mental illness for huffington post. Arthur was 1 of 5 canadians named as a face of mental illness by the canadian alliance on mental illness and mental health which is an initiative of bell let’s talk.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning arthur has been featured several times on TVO’s the agenda with steve paikin and in the toronto star, CBC’s the national , CTV news channel, the globe and mail, CHCH’s square off, and an educational video for the canadian mental health association (ontario chapter).Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning

I did attempt recently to have coffee with the president of the board of an organization which appears to be positioning itself as being an example of “evidenced based community treatment” for mental illnesses.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning I had hoped to make him aware of the 50% of people with schizophrenia and the 40% of people with bipolar who have the symptom of “anosognosia” and therefore lack insight and cannot access the voluntary services of his agency.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning there needs to be the political will to find innovative ways to help these individuals.

Perhaps there would be fewer homeless mentally ill people if his agency was a little more flexible.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning I was not upset that he did not have coffee with me, but very concerned. As a family caregiver and a taxpayer, that he and his board are responsible for allocating millions of our tax dollars to his agency’s programs yet he does not appear to be interested in learning about the symptoms of these horrendous illnesses.Cognitive learning vs behavioral learning