Mental Health Support Options in the Leduc region

 Self-management – Connect with friends, family members, clergy-persons or other supports that already exist for you.

Supportive Listening – if someone just needs to talk…

Leduc Regional Hub: Tues to Fri 2-6pm (780) 739-LHUB (5482)- can help with access to community, social, health and government services

Distress Line (780) 482-HELP (4357)- can offer supportive listening for any distressing issue you might be dealing with – you don’t need to be suicidal to call.

Counselling – For those who want to access a counsellor.

LBD PCN Mental Health team – This program offers mental and emotional health assessment and assists patients in finding the most appropriate mental health service in the community. Access to this program is through referral from a PCN family physician.

FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) offers a subsidized counselling program. Services are provided by psychologists, provisional psychologists and counsellors. They use a sliding scale fee schedule ($20-$50) based on annual income. They provide short-term individual, couples and family counselling.

FCSS – Leduc FCSS – (780) 980-7109

Beaumont FCSS – (780) 929-1006

Devon FCSS – (780) 987-8325

Leduc County – (780) 979-2385

Leduc Addictions & Mental Health Clinic – for those who have a formal mental health disorder such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. People in crisis can also go to Leduc Mental Health (780-986-2660).

Local Private Psychologists – Most charge full fees ($190/hr). Some provide sliding scale fees – you can always ask. You may be able to utilize Employee Family Assistance Programs and Health Insurance to pay for services (Contact your EFAP or insurance provider for info).

Karunia Counselling (780-628-3939)

Connelly Counselling (780-237-3510) Family Counselling Centre (780) 612-8577

IASIS Psychological Services (780-739-0707)

24/7 Crisis support:

24hr Addiction & Mental Health Crisis Response Team (780-342-7777)

The Support Network: 211 (info & referral), Distress Line (780-492-4357(HELP))

RCMP – 911

Leduc Community Hospital Emergency (4210-48 Street)

Mental Health Week May 2-8

 When someone is struggling, they don’t need you to fix it. They need you to understand. Before you weigh in, tune in.

#MentalHealthWeek #GetReal

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

Mental Health Week May 3-9

 Angry? Glad? Frustrated? Sad? It’s all good. This #MentalHealthWeek is all about how we feel. Get ready to #GetReal:

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

May is full of health care promotions!

May 6th is #STOPCleanYourHandsDay. Have a clean care conversation with your healthcare provider, patient, or colleague and help stop the spread of infections. Listen to the podcast created by our friends at the Canadian Patient Safety Institute: https://www.patientpodcastcanada.ca/

May 6-12 is National Nursing Week

May 6-12 is Mental Health Week:

Our PCN is so fortunate to have several registered nurses and mental health professionals providing exceptional care to our patients. For more information: http://lbdpcn.com/Programs/Pages/default.aspx

Fall 2018 Health Education Classes now available!

Our Fall 2018 health education classes and workshops are now available for registration!
Register online at www.lbdpcn.com or call our office at 780-986-6624.

Mental Health Week

May 7-13 is Mental Health Week.

Mental health is about more than mental illness.

It’s more than being happy all the time. It’s about feeling good about who you are, having balance in your life, and managing life’s highs and lows. Everyone deserves to feel well, whatever their mental health experience. And we all need a support system to lean on. https://mentalhealthweek.ca/

#GetLoud

If you need mental health support, please ask your family physician for a referral to one of our clinicians: http://lbdpcn.com/Programs/Pages/Mental-Health.aspx

Turning Down the Dial on Anxiety

This new session is offered at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network office. A referral from your family doctor is NOT needed; it's open to the public and is FREE.

Please visit www.lbdpcn.com to register or call our office at 780-986-6624.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 2 - 8, 2016

The World Health Organization defines Mental Health as: “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”  On the other hand, “mental disorders comprise a broad range of problems, with different symptoms…they are generally characterized by some combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others”. 

During any given year, about one in five Canadian adults experience mental illness, and American research estimates that about half of all adults will be diagnosable with a mental illness at some point during their lifetime. 

Having good mental health can encompass a broad range of functions and activities, including:

• The ability to think clearly and realistically about oneself, others, and the world around us;
• The ability to cope with, and manage, stress or changes in our life;
• The ability to feel, express, and manage a wide range of both positive and negative emotions;
• The ability to make and maintain good relationships with others;
• The ability to learn and problem-solve.

 Having a mental illness goes beyond just having a bad day and is often characterized as problems with thinking, mood, or behaviour that results in significant distress and impairment to one’s relationships, work, school, and/or social life.  Examples include, major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, trauma disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addiction-related disorders.

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign intended to raise awareness and engage Canadians in a national conversation about mental illness.  The hope is that by raising awareness, the stigma of mental illness will be reduced and that people will have greater access to information around services and support available to those living with mental illness. 

The Canadian Psychiatric Association initiated the week-long campaign in 1992, and it is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH).  The CAMIMH is a non-profit organization that includes health care providers and organizations that are committed to ensuring that mental health and the lived experience of those affected by mental illness (including caregivers and families) are represented on a national level. 

Through initiatives such as MIAW, the CAMIMH and partners work to promote a National Action Plan that upholds three principles.  They believe that:

(1) Mental illness and mental health issues must be considered within the framework of determinants of health, with recognition that mental health is inexorably linked to physical health;

(2) Mental illness contributes to a considerable cost to individuals, social services, health, education, the criminal justice system, as well as the economy.  As such, the CAMIMH believe it is imperative that Canadian governments and health planners consider ways to address mental health to reduce the burden on society; and

(3) Mental health promotion and the treatment of mental illness must be timely, continuous, interdisciplinary, culturally appropriate, and integrated across the full life cycle and the continuum of care (including primary care, home/community care, and tertiary care).

On September 2, 2016, the CAMIMH launched a comprehensive policy document, entitled Mental Health Now! That outlines a call to action for the government to improve the mental health of Canadians.  Click here to read more.

Check your mental health and reflect on your mental well-being with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Meter.  Click here to take the quiz. 

Where to find help: 

·         Phone Services:

o   Health Link: 811

o   Community social services information: 211

o   Mental Health Helpline (24/7): Call 1 (877) 303-2642 for confidential help, information on mental health services and referrals

o   Distress Line (24/7): (780) 483-HELP (4357)

·         Local Mental Health Resources:

o   Leduc Addictions and Mental Health: (780) 980-7580, or visit, alberta.health.ca for more information on Addictions and Mental Health Services.

o   Family and Child Social Services:

§  Leduc: (780) 980-7109

§  Leduc County: (780) 979-2385

§  Beaumont: (780) 929-1369

§  Devon: (780) 987-8325

o   Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network Mental Health Program: Access is through a referral by your family physician.  Please talk to your family for more information.

Dr. Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychologist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network. 

I eat healthy food and I am active but I still am not losing weight. Why?

Ask the Dietitian

Submitted by Andrea Shackel – LBD PCN Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator

I eat healthy food and I am active but I still am not losing weight. Why?

We often hear people say “eat less, move more” in order to lose weight but this does not take into account many other issues that are just as important in reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. Consider these other factors:

Healthy Eating – Healthy eating is a complex term and does it not always equal weight loss. Healthy eating refers to what we eat and weight loss refers to eating foods that are providing a calorie decrease from our everyday diet.  Not all “healthy foods” are weight friendly.  For example: 1 tbsp oil a day is considered“healthy oil” however could add up to over 12 pounds a year!

If weight loss is the goal, it’s important to use a lifestyle journal.  Lifestyle journaling is the cornerstone for determining what’s going on as well as help problem solve. It is the #1 tool for long term behaviour change and weight management.  You can journal everything from food, calories, exercise, sleep, mood, stress on a variety of online, phone apps and handwritten journals. 

Activity – Activity has many great health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of chronic diseases and it can play a role in weight maintenance; however it does not play a large role in weight loss.  The majority of the population does not meet the requirements for physical activity of 150 minutes per week – the amount needed to achieve health benefits.  In order to make an impact on weight, a person would need to be doing 250 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity per week.  The majority of the population does not “work off” what they eat. One can of pop has 140 calories which equates to 1 hour of walking to burn off. Is it really worth it?

Medical –Certain health conditions such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure and diabetes can make it difficult to lose or maintain weight. Many medications can also impact your weigh loss efforts.  It is important to follow up with your family physician or health care team should you have any of these concerns with managing your health conditions.

Psychological - Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, ADHD/ADD or stress can make it more challenging to loose weight and make it more difficult to maintain lifelong changes.  Often, people tend to go for “comfort food” to help deal with the issues above.

Environment –Access to fast food, eating on the run (or while driving), working at a desk or sitting all day, access to 24 hour screen time and messages from the media all play a factor into our personal weight loss or maintenance goals.

It’s overwhelming to take all aspects into our lives into account when working on weight loss or maintenance goals. Identifying the issues that may be impacting efforts and working on them is very important. 

Check out our new PCN class called “Getting Started: Your Best Weight”. This class will address all of these factors, how they impact weight and what to do about it.

Our website offers resources and support for your use. Our PCN also offers classes on dealing with emotional eating and a series of other weight, nutrition, activity and stress management classes. Visit our website to see the calendar of classes; all are open to the public!

To access any of the healthcare team members, please talk to your PCN family doctor or call 780-986-6624.

Have a question for our healthcare team? Please send it to info@lbdpcn.com

For more information on the PCN’s programs and services, please visit www.lbdpcn.com

Ask the Healthcare Team offers trusted, evidence-based healthcare information to our patients and the public. This information is provided to you by the multidisciplinary team at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network. This monthly column will answer common questions our team members hear from patients. 

This article was printed in the Leduc Representative and Beaumont News on September 18, 2015.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental health is important not only to you as an individual, but also with your family, friends, and at your place of work. Mental Health AwarenessWeek is May 4-10, 2015. Use this time to talk amongst your family, friends and co-workers about issues related to mental health. Each and every one of us encounters struggles within our daily lives.  A person can struggle with changes in mood, energy, sleep, appetite, weight, concentration, attention and self-worth. Talking amongst our natural supports help us to recognize we are not alone. It also helps us to gain support in accessing counselors, social workers, therapists and psychologists when our mental health is significantly impacting our daily function.  

Terri Ward is a Mental Health Therapist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network. 

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. This year, MIAW is October 5 - 11th.

Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling and mood.  It also affects a person’s ability to relate to others and impacts the way they function daily.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the handbook used by health care professionals to assist them in understanding and clarifying the criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.

A few different types of mental illnesses include:

Major Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Every person’s mental health can be affected by day to day stress, but living with a mental illness means consistently suffering from signs and symptoms.  Mental illness can be scary when suffering alone or in silence.

“20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime."
See the Canadian Mental Health Association website for more facts about mental illness.

You or someone you know is suffering from a mental illness.

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health have launched their “Faces of Mental Illness Campaign” to show Canadians that it affects everyone, in all walks of life.  Please check out their website and read the stories along with the faces that share their personal struggles and success in managing a mental illness.



Terri Ward is a Mental Health Therapist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

Mental illness and Depression - recognize the symptoms and get help

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is marked by a disruption of mood, thoughts and ability to function in your daily life.  The disruptions to mood and thought are often overwhelming and can leave a person feeling as though they are unable to cope with life’s demands.  Some mental illnesses, such as depression, can be temporary or episodic, while others, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, are life-long.  It is not always easy to know if a person is suffering from mental illness, and if they are, sometimes it is unclear as to what illness that might be.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders – IV (DSM-IV) is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental illness.  At present, the DSM-IV includes over 300 different mental illnesses. 

There is no one test that a person can take that will definitively diagnose a mental illness, though tests are given to provide some information.   A trained and experienced mental health provider can provide an accurate mental illness diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment options.  

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have depression or another mood related concern, talk to your doctor.      

Markers of depression include:

(Most of the days, in the past two weeks)

Inability to feel:

o Pleasure,  hope,  love, or attachment

o Emotionally “flat”

Thinking:

o Poor concentration due to difficulty pulling thoughts together,  slow thinking

Thoughts:

o “I’m disgusting, worthless, inadequate.”

o “I’ve done something wrong; I’m at fault.”

o “Nothing will work out.”

o “Things will never get better”

o “I cannot do anything.  Nothing helps.”

o “Death would be a relief.”

Motivation:

o Loss of will, desire, interest

o Avoidance of people, work and activity

Physical:

o Disrupted sleep: too much or too little

o Poor appetite or overeating

o Weight loss or gain

o Reduced or no ability to respond sexually

o Possible crying spells without knowing why

Activity:

o Restless or slowed activity/speech

o Reduced talking, smiling, motion, energy

You can take an anonymous depression screening test at:  www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org

Additional Mental Health Resources:

http://camimh.ca/about-mental-illness-and-mental-health/

http://mentalhealthweek.cmha.ca/

Local Mental Health Services:

• Leduc Mental Health Clinic  (780) 986-2660

Subsidized Counselling:

• FCSS – Leduc (780) 980-7109 

• FCSS – Beaumont (780) 929-1369 or (780) 929-3327

• FCSS – Devon (780) 987-8325

• FCSS – Leduc County  (780) 979-2385

Supportive Listening:

• Leduc Regional Hub: Tues to Fri 2-6pm, Sat 11am-1pm      (780) 739-LHUB (5482)

• Distress Line (780) 482-HELP (4357)

Local Private Counselling:

• Connelly Counselling (780) 237-3510

• Iasis Psychological Services –www.icanheal.ca (780) 739-0707 

• Karunia Counselling –www.karunia.ca (780) 628-3939

Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychiatrist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.   

Mental Health Week

National Mental Health Week - May 5-11, 2014

Mental Health Week is designed to encourage people across Canada to consider the role that mental health plays in our daily lives.  This week is a time to raise awareness about mental health and all the ways it impacts us, our loved ones, our friends, co-workers and society. 

For 2014 National Mental Health Week, Alberta Health Services has devised a series of simple steps that you can use to take care of your mental health and overall wellness.  This is a Mental Health Week Challenge that we at the Leduc Beaumont Primary Care Network would like to extend to as well.  

Friday’s challenge:

Day 5: Give Gratitude
Saturday's challenge:
Day 6: Get Your Groove On
Sunday's challenge
Day 7: Do Something Good

It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Canadians will suffer from a mental disorder at some point in their lives.  Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common.  It is also reported that mental health problems place an estimated $14.4 billion total economic cost on Canadians.

Additional Mental Health Resources:

Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Fact Sheet

Canadian Mental Health Association Woman’s Mental Health Fact Sheet

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychologist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week - May 5-11, 2014

Mental Health Week continues with Today’s challenge: Day 4: Laugh

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, it lightens our burdens and connects us to others. Laughter can help us overcome problems, enhance relationships and support good physical and emotional health. Learn why laughter is the medicine for the mind, here.



For 2014 National Mental Health Week, Alberta Health Services has devised a series of simple steps that you can use to take care of your mental health and overall wellness.  This is a Mental Health Week Challenge that we at the Leduc Beaumont Primary Care Network would like to extend to as well.  

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychologist with the Leduc Beaumont Dev

Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week - May 5-11, 2014

It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Canadians will suffer from a mental disorder at some point in their lives.  Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common.  It is also reported that mental health problems place an estimated $14.4 billion total economic cost on Canadians.

How you feel about your self can play a big part in your mental well-being. Accept Day 3's challenge to Be Yourself.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge!

Mental Health Week is designed to encourage people across Canada to consider the role that mental health plays in our daily lives.  This week is a time to raise awareness about mental health and all the ways it impacts us, our loved ones, our friends, co-workers and society. 

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

National Mental Health Week

National Mental Health Week - May 5-11, 2014

Mental Health Week is designed to encourage people across Canada to consider the role that mental health plays in our daily lives.  This week is a time to raise awareness about mental health and all the ways it impacts us, our loved ones, our friends, co-workers and society. 

It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Canadians will suffer from a mental disorder at some point in their lives.  Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common.  It is also reported that mental health problems place an estimated $14.4 billion total economic cost on Canadians.

We continue the weekly challenge today with Day 2: Get Moving

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge!

Additional Mental Health Resources:

Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Fact Sheet

Canadian Mental Health Association Woman’s Mental Health Fact Sheet

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychologist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

Mental Health Week

National Mental Health Week - May 5-11, 2014

Mental Health Week is designed to encourage people across Canada to consider the role that mental health plays in our daily lives.  This week is a time to raise awareness about mental health and all the ways it impacts us, our loved ones, our friends, co-workers and society. 

It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Canadians will suffer from a mental disorder at some point in their lives.  Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common.  It is also reported that mental health problems place an estimated $14.4 billion total economic cost on Canadians.

So how do we maintain Mental HEALTH?

For 2014 National Mental Health Week, Alberta Health Services has devised a series of simple steps that you can use to take care of your mental health and overall wellness.  This is a Mental Health Week Challenge that we at the Leduc Beaumont Primary Care Network would like to extend to as well.  

 

Today’s challenge:

Day 1: Food and Mood

Each day during Mental Health Week a new challenge will be presented, so be sure to check back on the blog each day this week for the next challenge.

Additional Mental Health Resources:

Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Fact Sheet

Canadian Mental Health Association Woman’s Mental Health Fact Sheet

www.mentalhealthweek.ca

Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychologist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

March newsletter

Our March 2014 Patient Newsletter is now available on our website. Included in this edition is information on:

• Prescription to Get Active regional launch and see pictures from the event;
• Expanded nutritional counselling services at our PCN;
• Heart Healthy classes open up the to public - how to register;
• Leduc Lifestyle Medical Clinic (formerly Leduc Obesity Clinic);
• Leduc Mental Health;
• Get Out, Get Active activity challenge - how to get involved.

Please sign up to receive future editions right in your inbox.

March 2014 Patient Newsletter

Mental Health Awareness Week

For decades, Mental Health Awareness Week has been observed every year during the first full week of October by various association and organizations across Canada and the United States.  The purpose is to promote community outreach and public education around mental illness and mental health.  

Within Mental Health Awareness Week is National Depression Screening Day (October 10, 2013) and is intended to raise awareness and to educate the public about depression and other mood and anxiety related disorders.  

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is marked by a disruption of mood, thoughts and ability to function in your daily life.  The disruptions to mood and thought are often overwhelming and can leave a person feeling as though they are unable to cope with life’s demands.  Some mental illnesses, such as depression, can be temporary or episodic, while others, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, are life-long.  It is not always easy to know if a person is suffering from mental illness, and if they are, sometimes it is unclear as to what illness that might be.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders – IV (DSM-IV) is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental illness.  At present, the DSM-IV includes over 300 different mental illnesses.  There is no one test that a person can take that will definitively diagnose a mental illness, though tests are given to provide some information.   A trained and experienced mental health provider can provide an accurate mental illness diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment options.  

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have depression or another mood related concern, talk to your doctor.      

Markers of depression include:

(Most of the days, in the past two weeks)

Inability to feel:

o Pleasure,  hope,  love, or attachment

o Emotionally “flat”

Thinking:

o Poor concentration due to difficulty pulling thoughts together,  slow thinking

Thoughts:

o “I’m disgusting, worthless, inadequate.”

o “I’ve done something wrong; I’m at fault.”

o “Nothing will work out.”

o “Things will never get better”

o “I cannot do anything.  Nothing helps.”

o “Death would be a relief.”

Motivation:

o Loss of will, desire, interest

o Avoidance of people, work and activity

Physical:

o Disrupted sleep: too much or too little

o Poor appetite or overeating

o Weight loss or gain

o Reduced or no ability to respond sexually

o Possible crying spells without knowing why

Activity:

o Restless or slowed activity/speech

o Reduced talking, smiling, motion, energy

You can take an anonymous depression screening test at:  www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org

Additional Mental Health Resources:

http://camimh.ca/about-mental-illness-and-mental-health/

http://mentalhealthweek.cmha.ca/

Local Mental Health Services:

• Leduc Mental Health Clinic  (780) 986-2660

Subsidized Counselling:

• FCSS – Leduc (780) 980-7109 

• FCSS – Beaumont (780) 929-1369 or (780) 929-3327

• FCSS – Devon (780) 987-8325

• FCSS – Leduc County  (780) 979-2385

Supportive Listening:

• Leduc Regional Hub: Tues to Fri 2-6pm, Sat 11am-1pm      (780) 739-LHUB (5482)

• Distress Line (780) 482-HELP (4357)

Local Private Counselling:

• Connelly Counselling (780) 237-3510

• Iasis Psychological Services –www.icanheal.ca (780) 739-0707 

• Karunia Counselling –www.karunia.ca (780) 628-3939

• Northern Aurora Counselling Services – (780) 980-3747 www.auroracounsellingservices.com 

Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychiatrist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.  

National Mental Health Week

May 6-12 marks National Mental Health Week (MHW) in Canada. While the Canadian Mental Health Association’s tagline “Mental Health For All” remains, this year’s MHW focuses on the mental health of our youth. Check out some of these facts on mental health and Canadian youth:

• It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
• Up to 70 per cent of young adults living with mental health problems report that the symptoms started in childhood.
• Mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of our children; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.
• Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.

For more information, please see the Canadian Mental Health Association website.