Mental Health Association Looking for Board Members

Mental health is something we've heard a lot about during the needs assessment.  The Canadian Mental Health Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is currently seeking board members to fill some vacancies.  Information about duties and how to apply can be found here.

An Update

It's summer but we're still working away on the needs assessment.  Upcoming we have a meeting with the family physicians in the area and we will be speaking with staff and the Clarenville offices and specialists at the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital.  Towards the end of July, we have meetings set up with our Advisory Committee and our Steering Committee.  Themes are pretty consistent now and the challenge of coming up with recommendations is underway.

The Weather Blues

Today is the first day in a while that we've seen the sun.  It really seems to be impacting on people.  There's lots of talk about people feeling tired and not quite having a spring in their step.  Weather, like a lot of things, has a big impact on our health.  From our mental health and well-being to vitamin D levels it all has an impact.  Of course, too much sun is also not healthy.  Like everything, we need to achieve a balance. 

The Relationship with the School System

One of the themes arising from the needs assessment is the emphasis that must be placed on youth and their health and well-being.  In particular, people who participated in the needs assessment process spoke about the need for strong collaborative relationships between the school system and the health system.  Arising from this theme, we will be meeting with the Eastern School District-Eastern Health Liaison Committee to discuss some of the findings and talk about possible solutions.

Visiting Hillview

We had a wonderful focus group in Hillview this week with people from nearby communities attending.  Some of the discussion centred around the infrastructure of local communities.  For example, water quality issues were referenced and the impact that has on health.  They also spoke about the lack of sidewalks and the lack of street lights as stopping people from walking, particularly at night.  Associated with that is concern with cars speeding through communities.  Some of these same concerns have been voiced in other communities as well.

Heading Towards Recommendations

Focus groups over the past couple of days have occurred in Clarenville, Arnold's Cove, Musgravetown and Hillview.  AT the end of this week, the only focus groups remaining will be the ones with staff, family physicians and medical staff at the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital.

Once we have the themes fleshed out, it's time to start focusing on recommendations.  Throughout the process, we've been asking people for possible solutions so we have a starting point.

Focus Groups Continuing in Clarenville Area

Focus groups are continuing in the Clarenville area.  Some sessions have good turn outs and others have small turn outs but regardless of numbers, people definitely have things to say!  It's really nice to hear conversations flowing and people discussing things amongst themselves.  It makes for great listening!