Older Persons' Mental Health and Addictions Network of Ontario
Closing of the Older Persons' Mental Health and Addictions Network of Ontario
It is with regret that we announce that the Older Persons' Mental Health and Addictions Network of Ontario will be closing August 31, 2008, as there is no funding to continue our work.
We want to express our gratitude and admiration to all of those who have supported the work of the network and continue to do the wonderful work you do.
Though OPMHAN's activities as a provincial network are coming to an end, we are delighted that many of you will continue to serve the needs of older adults at risk of or coping with mental illness and/or addictions in your own communities.
At this time we still have copies of the following resources:
- "Depression... It's Just Part of Getting Old, Right? Wrong!!! The Facts on Aging and Depression for Older Adults and Those Who Care About Them"
- "Memoirs of the Forgotten: Chronicling the Lives of Older Adults Survivors of Mental Illness"
Please contact Krysha at 416-593-4094 as soon as possible if you would like to order copies.
Krysha will be in the office until September 12, 2008, when we officially close our doors and Randi will be on consultation until September 30.
Thank you for all of your support.
An Open Letter to all OPMHAN Members, Supporters and Participants
April 23, 2008 – OPMHAN has now come to a crossroads and we want to share what is happening with all of you who have both supported and benefited from OPMHAN's work to date – and to solicit your help. [Continue]
2007 Directory of Services now available
The second edition of the Directory of Mental Health and Addiction Services for Ontario's Older Adults has now been published. The directory is intended as a resource for those who work with older adults, as well as those older adults wishing to learn more about maintaining mental health and/or seeking treatment for mental illness and addictions, and for family members, caregivers and friends.
New resource: Peer Support Manual
OPMHAN's new Peer Support Manual is intended to help older adults dealing with depression and/or those who care about them to explore a variety of peer support options, in partnership with seniors' centres and clubs, to help to better understand and cope with the effects of depression in later life.
Depression... It's Just Part of Getting Old, Right? Wrong!!!
Get the facts on aging and depression for older adults and those who care about them. See the Resources section to download OPMHAN's new booklet on depression, available in both English and French. This booklet is for older adults at risk of, or coping with depression, their families, caregivers, and all those who care about older people.
OPMHAN receives funding from government
The provincial government is investing $100,000 to increase awareness of the issues facing older persons living with mental illness and addictions. The Older Persons’ Mental Health and Addictions Network (OPMHAN) of Ontario will receive the full investment. This will allow OPMHAN to publish a brochure on aging and depression, train volunteers to present mental health seminars at seniors’ information fairs, and hold 14 training sessions for staff of community agencies.
OPMHAN’s mission is “to improve the Ontario system of care for older persons in the community at risk of or coping with mental illness and addictions — and to support those who care for and about them.”
See “McGuinty Government Strengthens Community Support for Seniors’ Mental Health,” Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, April 10, 2007, at www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.
Watch this page for updates about OPMHAN's activities as well as articles of interest, new resources and new links to related sites.
Our gratitude is extended to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous financial support which allows OPMHAN to do all the wonderful things we are doing, and to the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat which hosts the OPMHAN office.
Finally, a very special thank you to CMHA, Ontario for their design and ongoing maintenance of this fabulous website. Your "in-kind" support of OPMHAN is greatly appreciated!
