Self-Help Connection

Through our Consumer Initiative Centre (CIC), The Self-Help Connection currently offers four program streams:

A. Peer Support
B. Informatics Education
C. Entrepreneurship & Employability Enhancement
D. Personal Development

The CIC was launched by the Self-Help Connection (SHC) in 2002. The purpose of the CIC is to increase the capacity of persons living with, through, and beyond mental illness to help themselves and each other move forward. The CIC strengthens the consumer movement in Nova Scotia by creating consumer-centered, consumer-led provincial initiatives. The CIC program engages consumers in activities and programs that enhance their capacity to participate in planning, development, and implementation of mental health related programs, services and policies; enhance their capacity to participate in business planning, development, and employment; and enhance their ability to take control over and improve their health and well-being through personal development and mental health promotion. Peer support is also provided to all participants of the CIC to assist them in their recovery process and to help them move forward!

A. Peer Support

Peer support is provided to all participants of the CIC and consists of the following services and supports:

• Consultations: Provides one-on-one consultations designed to help persons living with a mental illness connect with the appropriate supports in the community.
  
• Education: Assists participants in learning more about their illness, medications, side-effects and other available treatment options.
  
• Individual and Self Advocacy: Offers advocacy services to participants while teaching advocacy skills so that the individual feels comfortable advocating on their own behalf.
  
• Leadership Training: CIC provides opportunities for mental health consumers/survivors to enhance their capacity and leadership skills for full community participation through training in nine modules: Self-Help Development; Consumer/Survivor Participation; Consumer/Survivor Leadership; Consumer/Survivor Advocacy; Guide to Maintaining your Mental Health; Policy and Standards Development; Tips for Preparing and Delivering Presentations; Seeking Employment; and Writing Funding Grants/Proposals.
  
• Peer Support: Offers one-on-one peer support to all participants as they begin to use their new skills.
  
• Recovery: Works with all participants as they progress through the five stages of recovery.
  
• Self-Help Development: Connects participants with appropriate self-help groups or assists participants in setting up self-help groups if no appropriate groups are available.
  
• Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP): Assists participants to develop strategies for everyday well being, recognize triggering events and early warning signs, prepare a personal plan if symptoms increase, and create a plan for your supporters.
  

B. Informatics Education

• Computer Literacy: Assist participants to become computer literate. Aid participants in their learning processes, identify potential trouble spots and working closely with the participants to overcome these problem areas. Identify appropriate programs for use within a participant's particular business and or activity. Advise participants on any computer hardware/software purchases and ways of accessing funding for those items.
  
• E-Communications: The development of a local program that will allow people effected by mental illness and their families using e-communications to access/respond to electronic information on mental health issues, employment and other supports; teach participants to use a variety of technical tools such as text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail, chat rooms and blogs along with the etiquette of proper usage.
  
• Information Management: Provide workshops to participants on effective information management; teach participants how to set up and manage files, folders and data bases.
  
• Promotional Material Development: Teach participants how to design and create promotional material. Instruct participants in the creation of marketing packages.
  
• Research: Teach participants how to use online search engines to access research information; teach participants how to evaluate online information.
  

C. Entrepreneurship & Employability Enhancement

• Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment: Allows you to explore whether or not self-employment is for you and assists you with making informed choices.
  
• Business Plan Development: This module consists of two components: 1) Technical - a formal course on how to develop a business plan; and 2) Practical - where you actually write your business plan.
  
• Technical Skills for Entrepreneurs: Includes Market Research (outlines the four P's: product, place, price, and promotion); Goal Setting (helps individuals develop goals for themselves and their business); Developing Budgets; Understanding Financial Statements (includes information on the importance of record keeping and how to track and document information).
  
• Accessing Funding Sources: This section includes information on traditional and non-traditional funding sources and how to access those funds.
  
• Job Search Skills: CIC will provide pre-employment skills training for those seeking competitive employment.
  

D. Personal Development

• Anger Control Training: This is a 12 week (2 hours per week) intense training program. The program is aimed at adults presenting with overtly aggressive behaviour. This includes individuals who are habitually aggressive as well as those whose aggression is episodic. However it is not a cure for all people who become angry and lose control. The program helps individuals develop positive coping strategies that will work for them. Coping strategies include challenging thoughts, reducing psychological arousal, and modifying behaviour.
  
• Building Confidence: (In the process of being developed)
  
• Building Up Individuals Through Leadership & Teamwork (BUILT): (In the pilot stage)
  
• Healthy Lifestyles: Provides information on stress management, active living, healthy relationships, good communication, affirmations, and other topics that promote a holistic approach to healthy living.
  

For more information about the Consumer Initiative Centre, please contact one of the staff:

Roy Muise, Peer Specialist
Tel: (902) 404-7800 Ext. 15

Marc Porter, Employment Educator
Tel: (902) 404-7800 Ext. 12

Chris Wysocki, Informatics Educator
Tel: (902) 404-7800 Ext. 14

Download our brochure!