Reports - Regional: Weyburn

2008/09 Submitted by Linda McDonald, Acting Program Director

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This has been a challenging, yet rewarding year for CMHA Weyburn Branch. Staffing issues continued to present obstacles for quality programming, but the old cliché: “when the going gets touch....” certainly proved to be true with the staff, Board and, most importantly, the consumers at our center.

The demand for services of our Vocational Program exceeds our capacity to fill them. Community awareness grows every year in direct response to the excellent, conscientious work we supply. Once again we were involved in the City of Weyburn Clean Up Campaign in the spring, which is a competition between the cities of Weyburn and Estevan. Our involvement in this campaign brings pride and ownership in our community and is good publicity for our center. Winter was extremely busy for the work crew as we saw record snowfalls in our area. Once again, the community is extremely supportive of, and grateful for this service.

The Lunch Program continues to be an important component of our center, and we are working on implementing healthier choices into our menu. We consistently feed from 15 to 25 consumers one meal per day from Monday through Thursday.

Periodically throughout the year, articles were submitted to the local press highlighting the upcoming activities of the Center. This has continued to keep the profile of CMHA before the public, and is a contributing factor in good community/center relations.

The sale of Valentine cakes to Weyburn businesses and residents reached an all-time high. This fundraiser involves consumers who deliver the cakes and pick up payment. The program has proved to be of significant value, not only financially, but by helping to reduce the stigma through consumer/client contact

A Wellness Program, proposed by Sun Country Health Region and agreed upon by the local CMHA Board last autumn, was put on hold because of the lack of availability of a qualified instructor.

Because of staff resignations and shortages, as well as financial limitations, the Group Counseling Program was put on hold. Submissions to the Sun Country Health Region for additional funding were not approved and, therefore, the Branch continues to struggle with minimal staffing.

Recreational trips to Regina, Moose Jaw and even Nova Scotia filled the year! Five of our consumers were invited to present at the Provincial Conference in Regina as a result of their involvement with Kathleen Thompson and her research project. Two members from the Weyburn community were also honored for their contribution to mental health in Saskatchewan. In conjunction with the project, two of the consumers also presented at the National Conference held in Nova Scotia. This was indeed a highlight and a trip they will not soon forget!

The Christmas Gift Wrap and Store was another huge success. The revenues were high as was the support of the citizens of Weyburn and district. The Mayor’s Luncheon in May was a resounding success. The guest speaker, Ms. Bernadette Green, addressed the crowd with a moving account of her battle with depression, which left a deep impression on many in the audience.

As a new comer, I would like to take the opportunity to commend the organization and the many incredible people who make it what it is. I would also like to thank our funding supports for recognizing the need for mental health services: Sun Country Health Region, the United Way, Sask. Lotteries and the many individuals, service organizations and businesses in our community.

Reach us at:

Weyburn Branch
On leave: Glady Perepeluk, Program Director      Linda McDonald, Acting Program Director
404 Ashford Street
Weyburn, SK S4H 1K1
Phone 306 842-7959, Fax 306 842-3096
e-mail cmhawey@sasktel.net