Staff
The Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is starting a family support group next month for people who have a family member or loved one with a mental health problem.
Starting April 12, the group will meet bi-weekly from 2-4 p.m. at the CMHA’s office at 612 Portage Ave.
While the local CMHA has run family support workshops in the past, this style of workshop is new, peer and family support worker Donna Bohler told the Times.
“Some of the feedback we received from the family support workshop was what inspired a family support group,” she noted.
“What is new about this support group is that we will be covering a wide range of topics about mental health, the illness, how to support each other, the importance of self-care, etc.,” Bohler explained.
Those who attend the support group can expect to have various topics presented in a structured format, with opportunity for discussion that includes a question-and-answer session.
“When people register, we will provide them with a list of possible topics to rank in their preference for a presentation guide, as well as an opportunity for them to list any others that we might not have covered on our list,” Bohler noted.
“In some respects, it is a pilot project as it is a series of educational topics presented to the public based on their highest ranking,” she said, adding she’s looking forward to finding out people’s topics of choice.
The support group is scheduled to run until June 21.
Then the plan is to resume it in the fall.
For more information or to register, contact Donna Bohler at 274-2347 ext. 213 or via e-mail dbohler@cmhaff.ca
