By Jim Brown
jim@peicanada.com

One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness. But others, also carrying a heavy burden, are often overlooked.

They care for those who cannot care for themselves and many will pay a terrible price for their devotion.

All told, four of five people are affected by the mental illness of a loved one.

With Hope in Mind is an international program offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association/PEI Division in partnership with the PEI Department of Health and the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. Offered in Alberton and Summerside, the free program provides comfort and support for the family members and friends of someone with a mental illness.

Pat Winchester, community and family support co-ordinator with the Prince County CMHA in Alberton, says sessions offered by With Hope in Mind can help family members and the close friends of those with mental illnesses find the strength they need to meet each day with hope and optimism.

Other organizers are Jacquie Lidstone and Phyllis Porter, both of whom have faced the same struggle helping loved ones experiencing physical and mental health issues.

They say many children of parents who are looking after loved ones may feel resentful and angry when a parent is unavailable to them. Later, they may have feelings of guilt that they didn’t recognize the strain a family member was experiencing and that they weren’t there to offer their help.

Ms Porter said 38 years ago when someone very close to her went through depression, “there was no support (programs)...but we’ve come a long way since.”
She went on to call the program, “wonderful. They learn what happens to the brain, the different types of (mental) illnesses.
“It helps them really go through the process - to understand just what mental illness is, the medication...it’s just so important,” she said, adding participants can draw strength and comfort from their shared experiences.

“The access is there, but the unfortunate thing is that a lot of people don’t reach out for it and that’s too bad.”

Ms Lidstone said mental illness “touches every one,” those with it and those who must look after them. She also said it’s important for caregivers to find time for themselves and for their families. If they can’t maintain their physical and emotional health, their ability to help family members in need will suffer, she said. 

The eight-week program runs every Wednesday in Alberton, beginning Oct. 6 at the CMHA’s boardroom in the community centre. But those planning to attend are urged to register by Friday, Sept. 24, since space is limited. 

The program covers a wide range of subjects including mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress and phobias, medications, recovery and social skills, creative problem management and services, programs and resources in the community.

For more information and to register call Pat Winchester at 853-4180 (for the Alberton program) and 436-7399 (Summerside program) or send an email to cfsupport@cmha.ca.