Reports - Regional: Regina

2000/09 Submitted by Louise Handford, Excutive Director

CMHA Regina Branch is dedicated to the pursuit and promotion of the rights of persons with mental illness to maximize their full potential. We have a client base of 450, approximately 120 of whom are served each day through programs that enable them to explore and develop social, occupational, leisure and living skills that will assist them in living as independently as possible within our community.

We provide services that encourage resiliency and support the recovery of persons managing lives with a mental illness. This is accomplished through programs that include:
     • rehabilitation/crisis support and community integration
     • vocational continuum, supportive work, assessment, training and employment
     • awareness and administration

The Socialization/Stabilization program provides recreation, group work and crisis support in a safe, non-judgmental environment. We provide structured and unstructured opportunities through recreational outings, crafts, baking, music groups, educational small groups and one-to-one support and advocacy. Some of these include The Free Spirit Band, the Reel Anti-Suppressants Theater Group, and the Anger Management and Wellness Club. Some highlights of the year were Camp Race, holiday meals, gardening, volunteer appreciation day, St. Patrick’s Day tea, Halloween and Valentine’s dances.

The Vocational program offers opportunity to those clients who wish to explore and develop the necessary work skills to enter, or re-enter the work force. Work opportunities are provided in the areas of; housekeeping and janitorial services, food services, canteen/small business and clerical/administration. Service Canada has supported the development of our new Job Coach position, which enhances the vocational training program and expands the continuum of the client work experience and potential employment attachment.

During this past year, we have begun a process to transform the organization and to position it for future sustainability. This fall, the Board engaged in a strategic planning process, which resulted in a revision of our planning cycle and framework.

Infrastructure and environment are fundamental to organizational sustainability. We have introduced new
policies and procedures and updated old ones. We have begun to review and evaluate our programs and services, and made infrastructure improvements to our building, computers and telecommunications system. We are now mortgage free.

Partnerships are key to our future and bring us into relationship with our community. We are grateful to the many individuals who are CMHA Regina Branch members, donors, volunteers and community agencies. This year we were fortunate to have partnerships that supported us in addressing our challenges.

The East View Rotary Club has identified CMHA Regina Branch as a signature organization for their yearly support. We have experienced their support through a Valentine Gala, Club activities, Christmas sponsorship of gifts of warmth, the design and furnishing of a Group Room and a renovation of our canteen business is scheduled for this fall.

This year we held our first ever “Art of Living Well” awareness and fundraising event, with sponsorship and collaboration from Sun Life Financial.

We continue to value our partnerships with Universities, providing supervision for student practicums; the University of Regina Social Work, University of Alberta Occupational Therapy and SIAST nursing students. We also hosted a unique research project on memory and mental illness.

This has been an amazing year of growth that represents a commitment to excellent service provision and accountability that is necessary to move into the future. Thank you to the staff, board and our many volunteers. Thank you to our funding supports who recognize the value of our role in the provision of mental health services: the Regina Qu’Appelle Regional Health Authority, the United Way of Regina, Saskatchewan Learning/EAPD, and the city of Regina.

Working together we can, and do make a difference!

Reach us at:

Regina Branch
Louise Handford, Executive Director
1810 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 2S8
Phone 306 525-9543, Fax 306 525-9579
e-mail cmha.regina@sasktel.net