This note from the North East Local Health Integration Network was recently received by CEO Donald Sanderson. A story about the National Research Corporation Canada (NRCC) report appeared in last week’s News Centre.

I was reviewing the 2012-2013 NRCC Patient Ratings Report and I see that WPSHC has reached the “high performer” status as a community hospital.
This is no small feat and one to be recognized. It must be extremely rewarding to know that patients have responded positively to this survey.
No doubt the community is most pleased with the overall care and compassion of which services are delivered at WPSHC.
Please share this recognition with your Board and the staff of your organization.
Well done!

Nancy Lacasse, Outreach Officer
North East Local Health Integration Network

Many Community Living associations are enthusiastically organizing activities to mark the month of May, celebrated as Community Living Month across Ontario. The month is a time when Ontarians celebrate the accomplishments of people who have an intellectual disability and recognize the work of individuals, families and partners dedicated to building an inclusive community.

“We are definitely looking forward to May, and not only for improved weather but also for Community Living Month,” says Jo-Anne Demick, Executive Director of Community Living Parry Sound. “The theme of this year’s activities is employment since we are also celebrating the launch of the Ready, Willing and Able national initiative.”

• Symbolic of the act of raising awareness, there will be a Community Living flag raising by Parry Sound Mayor Jamie McGarvey on May 7.

• Breakfast with the Mayor, a town favourite, will take place at Wellington’s Pub & Grill on May 14. This year, it will feature guest speaker Michael Bach from the Canadian Association for Community Living.

• Next will be the Festival of the Sound community fund-raiser on May 18 at the Bobby Orr Community Centre.

• The rest of the events will include the annual golf tournament fund-raiser on May 22 at the Rocky Crest Golf Club, and an open house with Community Living Parry Sound’s autism services partner on May 24 to promote the association’s children’s services.

These events bring much goodwill to communities. They offer both a pleasant way to spend a day and an opportunity to raise awareness about issues of inclusion.

By gathering in public places and engaging in sincere interactions with one another, community members not only illustrate an exemplary inclusive community, but also show how natural such a community is, and how easily it can be achieved.

For more information visit www.clps.ca

The Canadian Mental Health Association introduced Mental Health Week (MHW) in 1951 to raise awareness of mental illness. MHW today offers people practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health and support their recovery from mental illness. It also provides an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on our attitudes and behaviours
toward people living with mental health issues because we all need to work to reduce the discrimination and stigma associated with mental health problems.
This year, the CMHA is launching its Be Mind Full initiative. They are asking Canadians to tell them how they really feel. Are you fine or phine? Too often people claim to be feeling fine when they do not. The result: approximately seven million Canadians — 20 percent of the population — live with mental illness.
Many do not seek treatment because of the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.

Information from www.cmha.ca