patient council newsletter vol 1 issue 1 summer 2012

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” — Maya Angelou

Welcome to the New Patients’ Voice Newsletter Inside This Issue 1 Recipe of the month 2 A summer garden 3 Identity theft 3 Belong to Song 4 For the love of music 5 Impressions 6 Drop-in center

The Patients’ Voice

Volume 1, Issue 1 Summer 2012

THE PATIENTS’ COUNCIL OF REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Recipe of the month: Potato Pancakes

Makes six pancakes. Ingredients: • 2 eggs • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • ¼ cup grated onions • 2 cups coarsely grated potatoes • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Optional: add shredded cheese and one hot pepper cut up seeds removed for a spicier pancake.

Directions: In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat together the flour, salt, pepper, eggs and onion. Place the grated potatoes on a piece of cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel, gather the ends together and wring the potatoes to remove their moisture. Add the grated potatoes to the egg mixture and stir well. If using them, mix in cheese and hot pepper. Shape the mixture into 6 thin potato pancakes. In a large heavy frying pan over medium –high heat, heat oil until almost smoking. Add 3 pancakes cook for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat. Drain on paper towels and serve hot. (cooking.com). By: Stephanie Taylor.

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The weather is getting warmer and now is the time of year when many people start a garden. They can also be made in a container on balconies or in a sunny spot in a yard. First you need some soil, plant seeds, a container of water, Popsicle sticks and a permanent marker, as well as some plant containers. Paper cups are another option for planting in as well. These supplies can be found at garden stores, if you don’t already have them, or even some department stores. Fill the containers with soil, make holes for the seeds and plant them according to the directions on the package. Next mark in marker on the Popsicle sticks what plant you have just planted. Then water the seedlings and place them in the sun, for example at a bright sunny window or under plant lights - even in the dark if that’s what they need. They can later be planted in a container or right into your garden when they have grown into small plants.

A summer garden


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Protecting yourself from identity theft

Identity theft is when your credit card number, your Social Insurance Number, your name or some other personally identifying information is used without your consent. Identity fraud is when someone’s personal information is used to open new credit cards, open bank accounts, or access that person’s financial accounts without their permission. There are easy steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft:

1. Safeguard your personal information: Shred receipts, insurance forms and copies of credit applications so a thief won’t pick it out of your garbage. Inexpensive shredding machines can be bought at department stores.

2. Be aware of when your statements and bills usually arrive. 3. Keep personal information private: Do not give out personal information on the

internet, through e-mail or on the phone unless you started the contact and know who you are dealing with.

4. Mail protection: Bring in your mail every day, forward it if you move, are away or change your mailing address.

5. Protect your passwords and PINs: Do not share them with anyone and shield your card when using it at a keypad.

6. Sign all credit cards as soon as you get them. If they are stolen or lost, report it immediately.

7. Transactions: Be aware of “too good to be true” offers. Review your financial statements and report anything that seems unusual. Review your credit bureau file yearly.

8. Limit your exposure: Carry only the identification you need. Keep cards in a safe place.

9. Contact the authorities and your bank or financial institution if you are a victim. This information was gathered from The Royal Bank privacy page: http://www.rbc.com/privacysecurity/ca/protecting-your-information.html By: Stephanie Taylor.


Belong to Song Do you enjoy music? Do you play an instrument or sing or just like to relax and listen? If so, you may enjoy attending Belong to Song. This is an event for people with lived experience of mental illness and their friends and families. It is put on by the Mental Health Promotions Committee, a network of agencies and people aiming to reduce the stigma of mental illness. It takes place once a week, on Thursdays, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at the Old East Studios at 755 Dundas Street (between Lyle and Rectory). They have an electronic drum kit, a piano, an acoustic guitar and a bass guitar – or you can bring your own. Light refreshments are served at no charge.

http://www.rbc.com/privacysecurity/ca/protecting-your-information.html



FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC The Mental Health Promotions Committee is presenting

the fourth annual Music Balm. This is a concert presented by individuals with lived

experience of mental illness. Music Balm will be held Sunday October 14, 2012 at

2:00 pm, located at the Aeolian Hall.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Music Balm is an initiative of the Mental Health

Promotions Committee, a network of community agencies and consumers, aiming to reduce the stigma

of mental illness.

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impressions

and the hands of God created the mountains forged them out of the earth’s rock as the great ice age drew to a close

for centuries they stood, proud and cold against the sky as it became warmer, the ice gave way to rich, fertile soil

pine trees flourished in the valleys and crept up the mountain walls while higher up, towards the peaks, only tiny fragile mosses and flowers could survive

on the cold, barren rock the Natives, who lived in harmony with all of nature

respected the mountains for their great majesty and ever-present danger then the white man came and saw the opportunity to exploit this virgin land

he felled the mighty trees of the forests to build his cities and towns the wild prairie meadows became checkerboards of different coloured fields

he dammed the lakes and rivers and then built new ones where before there had been none his roads and highways, brazen and bold, stretched across the continent

boring through forests, blasting through rock, spanning across the waterways everywhere modern man spread his destruction showing his dominance over the natural world

except the mountains for while man has adapted himself to live at alpine heights

he cannot change the mountains still they stand, cold and proud against the sky

daring man to conquer them but confident of their own victory

By Christine Boyd



Important facts about the drop-in centre: The patient drop-in centre at RMHC London, located in P-wing, is now open

for patients Monday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm The centre came about as: - An outcome of the Meaningful Activities Committee - A result from the RMHC inpatient satisfaction survey Driven by the Patient and Family Councils in collaboration with Volunteer

Services Monies to re-furbish the existing space on P-wing was provided through

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation New furniture and professionally painted murals have helped to create a cozy

and inviting environment Building on what the Patients’ Council was already providing for patients, the

drop-in centre will create additional opportunities for patients to:

- Learn and practice social and life skills - Foster relationships - Take responsibility for their own level of participation - Have fun - Encourage autonomy and making choices

The centre is supervised by volunteers Additional hours will be added in the coming months A drop-in centre in St.Thomas will open later this year

The new drop-in centre


patient council newsletter vol 1 issue 1 summer 2012

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