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SWAN: “Working to Improve the Quality of Mental Health Through Peer Support” |
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South Western Alliance
Network |
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A Network of Psychiatric Consumer Survivor
Initiatives in South Western Ontario |
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NEW: PROVINCE-WIDE DISSEMINATION
OF CONSUMER/SURVIVOR RESEARCH The Ontario Peer Development Initiative
(OPDI), along with the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services
(CREHS), is presenting the results of an important evaluation research
project of consumer/survivor initiatives. These
project findings are part of a larger study. The Community Mental Health
Evaluation Initiative (CMHEI) is the first broad-scale, systematic assessment
of the effectiveness of community-based mental health services in Ontario. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care, it is a multi-year study to measure the impact of self
help and peer supports among various groups of individuals who participate in
consumer/survivor initiatives (CSIs). CSIs are complementary alternatives
forming part of the community mental health system. OPDI, a support and
resource team for over 50 CSIs province-wide, is disseminating the project
results with CREHS, who is coordinating the research. These findings will be used to help shape
the future of community mental health supports and services in Ontario. This
is a valuable educational and networking opportunity for those working in the
field as well as those who have experienced mental health issues. For more
information or to RSVP, please contact: Janice Towndrow, OPDI Peer Advisor Tel: (416)
484-8785 x 239 or 1-866-681-6661 (toll-free) E-mail: janice@opdi.org What is the
South Western Alliance Network? The South Western Alliance Network (SWAN)
is a not for profit regional organization comprised of psychiatric consumer /
survivor groups throughout the South Western Ontario Region. It is funded by the
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and private donations. Presently, there are ten consumer /
survivor organizations that are a part of SWAN. Consumer / Survivor Initiatives vary widely
in their objectives and organizational structure. Some of the initiatives promote
consumer
/ survivor advocacy;
others organize
self-help and peer support groups, while others have
established
clubhouses and/or
businesses. By providing a base of organizations for
consumer / survivors, there is a support for consumer / survivors full
involvement in the development of the mental health service system in
Ontario. The initiatives also provide an
opportunity for the skills and capabilities of consumer / survivors to be
used to help each other. Who
is a consumer survivor? “A consumer/ survivor is someone
who self-identifies as having concerns with their mental or emotional
health.” General
Membership Membership is open to any psychiatric
consumer/survivor group funded by the
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, who believes in the goals and objectives
of the South Western Alliance Network. The membership of the individual ten
initiatives in SWAN is between 200 and 400 for a total of between 2000 and
4000 members in the Southwest of Ontario. This broad-based consumer representation is
an input rich resource of information regarding the planning, delivery,
governance and evaluation of mental health services. There are no fees for membership, but
donations are accepted and appreciated.
To donate … Internet Service is provided by
Execulink This website was
last updated on June 23, 2004 by Barb Frampton SWAN Outreach Manager. |
