June/July 2013 - Community Connections

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Community Connections 328 Grande Cote St. Eustache, Que. J7P 1E7 By Jennifer Works What is mental health? Why should a child come to C.E.S.A.M.E? Being different is not always easy. Accepting that your child has difficulties can also be hard. The heavy weight that parents have to bear is not that their child is different or the fact that they need help, but it is how others see their child and how these people can be judgmental. Because of this, some may be hesitant to come and consult us at the Centre pour l’enfance en SANTÉ MEN- TALE. The best way to let go of these prejudices is to find out what exactly it is you are dealing with, instead of holding on to your first impressions. Mental health is most often associated with mental illness and both of these terms are not at all the same thing. The Public Health Agency of Canada gives the following definition of mental health: "The capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, act in ways that enhance LIFE CYCLES By: Lisa Agombar June has arrived and with it the CYCLE of summer begins!!! Whether it is vacations, fun in the sun, or simply relaxing on these warm nights, this is a time to unwind and perhaps reflect on CYCLES gone by and think about those around the corner. And don’t forget, a well deserved pat or two on the shoulder Page18 our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual well-being that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections and personal dignity. " Being in good mental health is: · to be able to love your life; · to put your skills to good use and to attain objectives; · to establish and maintain satisfying relationships with others; · to have enough confidence to adapt to a situation which you cannot change or to work on finding the best solution possible; · to learn to manage stress effectively; · to cope with changes that affect you ; · to be able to ask for help from those that are close to you or from a specialized wouldn’t hurt for all you’ve done so far! At PANDA, we also take a break from our monthly conferences and activities and go through our own CYCLE of reflection and planning. Over the last year, PANDA has worked hard putting together 10 conferences, specialized workshops, parenting skills classes and Reading Detectives to name a few and I’m happy to report we’ve ended on a high note once again! What’s not always visible on the surface though and can be difficult June/July 2013 organization in difficult times; · to find activities that you enjoy and sticking with them; · to find a good balance from all aspects of life: physical, psychological, economical, spiritual and social. Now you can understand that C.E.S.A.M.E. is not a centre that takes care of children with mental illness. It is an organization that holds at its core the wellbeing of children and that makes sure that they have a healthy and balanced mental state! Our stimulation workshops are for children between the ages of 3 and 5 with developmental difficulties (language, behaviour, motor skills, anxiety, etc.). They do not need to have a diagnosis to receive our services. If your child could benefit, please do not hesitate to call us at 450-623-5677. to report on is what happens when individuals begin the journey of gathering information and understanding ADHD. Even today, with the wealth of information available, people feel ashamed or embarrassed if they or someone they know show symptoms of ADHD. Rather than discussing ADHD like any other life event, it’s kept hidden in fear of the unspoken words, behind closed door judgments or the immediate look of disapproval. Cont’d on p 19
Community Connections Page 19 June/July 2013 Panda cont’d from p. 18 Don’t be afraid to make that leap! When someone makes the decision to contact “PANDA”, the courage involved in getting to that point is immeasurable, and what follows is an ongoing CYCLE of gathering information, connecting with people who can relate, and perhaps making friends along the way. One part of that ongoing CYCLE is making an assessment to rule out other factors that can present like ADHD, which leads to a treatment plan if necessary. Sample Assessment administered by a psychologist, psychiatrist, a doctor or neuropsychologist: · medical examination · eye exam · hearing test A diagnosis of ADHD also requires a series of tests and information gathering on the identified person and the observations of others such as family members, school personnel or people who see the individual on a daily basis. Even when you suspect that you or someone you know has ADHD it’s recommended Church Mouse cont’d from p 15 Yikes, may I ask which stage you are in? Seriously though, we do recognize how quickly time passes by, and we just can't seem to keep up with all the commitments and responsibilities, not to mention the many jobs around the home that have been on hold the last six months and are now shouting out for our attention. Prioritizing is the key component to take care of that which is most important, and may I recommend a starting point, found in the scriptures to seek out a diagnosis to support the symptoms. Once a medical exam is administered and tests are completed, a diagnosis can be made. ADHD is often associated with medication, given that each case is unique, it will depend on the intensity and frequency of symptoms if that applies. If medication is determined to be part of the treatment plan, the family and doctor will work together to monitor the effects and dosage. Best Practices for treating ADHD: · regular follow-up visits with a medical practitioner · continued support with information about ADHD and its management · patient/ parent/ teacher training · special education accommodations · behavioral interventions combined with medication if required For more information on treatment and practices, please refer to the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance http://caddra.ca . "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm 92:12. It is the Lord who provides necessary wisdom (skill in living) as we call upon Him for understanding and direction knowing that we are only here for a short time, and I trust a God honouring time. Happy Father's Day. (Sun. Jun 16 ) Heritage Club Cont’d from p.10 There is still Karaoke & Pot Luck Supper every fortnight. We have built up some great singers, should you like to come out for a nice night, please do not hesitate to do so. Some of the singers The more educated you are about ADHD, the more equipped you can be in implementing a treatment plan. The process can be overwhelming so take a deep breath, maybe two, and know that PANDA is available to walk you through this one step at a time to help find solutions best suited for your situation. As the PANDA coordinator, I am on location to support new and existing members by providing information to help understand ADHD and whether or not it applies to you, your child, or someone you know. If you need help navigating the system, want more information, or just someone to remind you to breath, PANDA is here for you through e- mail, phone, conferences or programs at 514-713-5353 or lagombar@pandablso.ca. Watch for our 2013/2014 calendar that will be announced in August. We have another exciting year ahead! Wishing you all the best during this CYCLE and those to come! are Sandy Scott, Bob Goulet, Bill Dore, Ken Hum, Francine Gallotti, Jean- Marie Cote, and now we have Paul Goyetche. Hope they keep up the good work. June 15th – Softball Mixed Tournament held at Olympia Park, If you would like to get a team together contact Mike Neville, or if you would like to volunteer in some way we never say no. July 27th – Annual Golf Tournament to be held at Lachute, Bob Fordham, Sandie Spackman, Paul Barnett are the ones to contact at the hall 450-473-5429, so get your foursome together.
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June/July 2013 - Community Connections

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