NOTE: WE DO NOT ALLOW SELLING ANY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES IN THIS GROUP TO OUR MEMBERS. IF YOU HAVE JOINED THE GROUP FOR THIS PURPOSE ONLY, KINDLY REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE GROUP. CONTACT THE ORGANIZER DIRECTLY IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT GROUP WILL REALLY BENEFIT FROM AND I WILL REVIEW YOUR REQUEST WITH OTHER GROUP MEMBERS.
This group is a continuation of the "New Mental Health Movement" , which started in January 2011 and had many successful meetings at St. Joe's Health Center in Toronto as well as several fun socials at other location such as High Park.
We already have many members but they must be re-invited to join meetup.com, as we are starting over from scratch as far as meetup.com is concerned. We also have many members who elect not to join meetup.com but who do support the group.
We have now changed the name of the meetup.com to Mental Health Peer Support Organization (MHPSO), which is the name of the Ontario based Not For Profit Corporation.
I am told we reversed the suicidal path of at least two people in 2011, as our members rallied around each other for support, both in the group meetings and outside of the group as well. We also helped several people get back to work both full time and part time. And many of us had fun and improved the quality of our lives along the way.
The Mental Health Peer Support Organization is a group designed to help people with mental health labels and /or challenges live happier and more fulfilling lives. Members within the group, pledge to help each other and themselves at the same time. This group will inspire people to reach their individual goals with the support and encouragement of each other. Sharing, caring and open, honest communication are key to the success of this group and it's members.
MENTAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (MHPSO.org)
Mission & Guiding Principles
MISSION
“Peers helping peers”. The Mental Health Peer Support Organization is committed to building communities of reciprocity through compassionate and confidential peer support. We inspire and empower fellow peers to pursue a more balanced, healthier and happier life. For those with mental health "labels" and challenges, MHPSO is also open to friends and family of peer supporters.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES – OUR 13 STEP PROGRAM
1. Non Judgmental – We meet each other in private places such as St. Joes Health Centre and public places for social gathers. No matter what the venue we pledge to be non judgmental towards each other.
2. Peer support – We come together as peers with similar experiences to help, nurture and support each other. We share knowledge, experience, coping strategies and emotional, social and practical help.
3. Reciprocity – We seek to build a community of reciprocity, where synergy of strengths and resources allows us to rise up and overcome shared fears and challenges such as stigma, discrimination, stress and social anxiety.
4. Empowerment – We seek to empower ourselves and our community. Together, we harness the strength, courage and motivation to improve our mental and emotional health and thus, the quality of our lives.
5. Social networking – Social networking fulfills an intrinsic human need to feel part of a community. We endeavour to offer camaraderie and friendship to each member of our peer group, especially in times of difficulty, concurrently reducing isolation and loneliness.
6. Anonymity/ confidentiality, compassion and positive solidarity – We are a peer community that is rooted in respectful, compassionate and positive solidarity. What is shared in our community is confidential; notwithstanding the social support nature of our group, we are sensitized to and are respectful of each other’s need for privacy, boundaries and comfort levels.
7. Success in baby steps – Our illness need not imply a limited life where we seek to merely survive; we strive to be happy and successful, setting goals in order to realize our dreams.
8. Action - We endeavour to take action, get involved and make a difference. We listen, learn, encourage, get help, exercise, mentor, coach, counsel, volunteer, advocate, talk more about mental health issues and “labels”, and practice mental fitness and holistic healing (ex. medication, naturopathy, yoga, meditation, spirituality).
9. Zero tolerance for abuse – We do our best to self-monitor our community, promoting zero tolerance for abuse in any way, shape or form.
10. Feedback – Feedback fuels our community. Moreover, we encourage ongoing learning and growth for all peers.
11. Mental fitness – We make every effort to achieve optimal mental health, recognizing that improved psychiatric symptoms results in decreased hospitalization, larger social support networks, and enhanced self esteem and social functioning.
12. Inspire – We pledge to inspire each other and ourselves about overcoming our challenges and optimizing our gifts.
13. Time – We pledge to offer a little bit of time into the group whenever we can. We realize that whenever we help each other; we also help ourselves.
Mission & Guiding Principles: copyright March 9, 2011, by MHPSO.org
RULES FOR MHPSO.org MEETUP
1. Confidentiality – everything said at a mhpso.org Meetup is confidential, unless otherwise stated.
2. Non Judgmental of others.
3. Listen - please avoid interrupting others - Robert will do his best to "chair" the meeting. The goal is we each take roughly equal share of time speaking.
4. Mindset: Come to serve and be served - The Golden Rule.
5. Everyone's voice counts! Democracy.
6. You are entitled to leave at any time, however it would be nice to know why you are leaving as the feedback helps us.
7. No abuse to self or others.
8. Please no graphic emotional stories in the group that can scar others minds. Instead, please talk to a therapist or someone you might meet at our group that is willing to talk to you one on one, knowing that your story could scar their mind.
9. Listen to others “SUGGESTIVE SOLUTIONS” at your own risk. DO NOT GIVE “ADVICE”. We can only give “SUGGESTIVE SOLUTIONS”.
10. Donation of $3 is optional but if you can't afford it, then don't pay. It covers costs of running meetup.com , ning.com (ning to be explained), handouts and much more….
NOTES
· Do you realize that by just communicating with a peer you will likely help each other?
· We request you please consider posting a review on our Meetup.com homepage.
· OPTIONAL: Private one on one after group with Robert or other Facilitator for a few minutes.
· Science, practicality, philosophy? Debates will go on forever inside and outside this group.
· We need more leaders! Ask Robert….
Good day all. Robert advised that he would not be able to make it for Monday's meetup at St.Joseph's Health centre. I will be there however and will be acting as... Learn more
Meeting will start at 7PM and run to about 9:30PM. We have the room as late as 10PM if people want to keep brainstorming to help each other or simply "share and care" by... Learn more
