NO ONE WALKS ALONE, WE WALK WITH YOU
In 2022 the Mental Illness Caregivers Association (MICA) developed an 8-step model that provided a summary of thoughts, feelings, experiences, and expectations of caregivers supporting a loved one living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder and/or substance use disorder while in crisis: from making the 911 call straight through to discharge and on-going mental health care. MICA shared the model with caregivers and organizations in the Ottawa area and beyond and asked them to provide comments on how we might improve the model.
Among the many comments we received we consistently heard that more needed to be done to better understand the needs of caregivers when making the 911 call involving the police, including reducing the risk of violence when police interact with people living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
Our Response – Tips and Strategies guidance document for Caregivers
Strategies to ensure a positive outcome when a 911 call is made and to ultimately develop ... click here for more
On 10 September 2022 MICA hosted a Workshop on Strategies for Reducing the Risk of Violence When Police Interact with People Living with Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorder.
The purpose of the workshop was to discuss strategies to ensure a positive outcome when a 911 call is made and to ultimately develop a Tips and Strategies guidance document of actions for caregivers to promote/enhance the possibility for a positive outcome for all.
On 09 March 2023 MICA hosted a second workshop utilizing a co-design effort involving police services, first responders and mental health service providers from Toronto along with caregivers from Hamilton, Ottawa, and Toronto with the objective to continue the development of the Tips and Strategies for Caregivers guidance document.
Our ask - we invite you to review the final draft of the Tips and Strategies Guidance document for Caregivers and to share any comments, suggestions or questions.
Access Tips and Strategies for Caregivers Guidance document here
We invite you to review the final draft of the Tips And Strategies Guidance Document and to share any comments, suggestions or questions. You will also find a first attempt at the development of a one-page version of the document based on an approach developed for nursing – SBAR (situation, background, assessment, and risk) – again any comments, suggestions or questions you may have would be most welcome.We are exploring the possibility of a pilot project have developed a draft template for an emergency preparedness plan for caregivers
Stay tuned ... click here for what is next
In response to ‘what we heard’ on 09 March we are exploring the possibility of a pilot project involving Ottawa police services, first responders, caregivers, organizations that support caregivers and persons living with mental illness and others as appropriate.
As a first step we have developed a draft template for an emergency preparedness plan for caregivers supporting a person living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder. It is more comprehensive in its approach by applying what we have learned to date while acknowledging that a 911 call is often just the beginning of a journey along an uncharted path of uncertainty, unknowns, and difficult challenges ahead.
Over the next several months we will continue to develop the emergency preparedness plan with the intent of hosting a workshop later next year to share a final draft of the plan with the caregiver community. Stay tuned – our goal is to do so early 2024.
The Mental Illness Caregivers Association (MICA) hosted a workshop on 13 April 2024 and presented the first draft of an emergency preparedness planning template.
The workshop was attended by caregivers and panelists representing Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Hospital (Mobile Crisis Team and Psychiatric Emergency Services), Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario-211 East, Distress Centre Ottawa and region, Ottawa Public Health, Canadian Mental Health Association, Crown Attorney’s Office and John Howard Society
The workshop included the presentation of a draft template to be used by caregivers to prepare an emergency preparedness plan unique to their needs supported by panelists speaking to what to expect along the way and the role of the caregiver in supporting persons they care for in crisis
A second draft of the planning template has been updated to include the content presented by the panelists.
Our discussion related to burnout, compassion fatigue as well as some of the myths around mental illness, substance use and suicide.
One family’s emergency preparedness plan
Sample emergency preparedness plan based on the content provided in the emergency preparedness planning template
We invite you to share your comments, thoughts, concerns below
Please share your comments/thoughts with us and then click SEND
MICA