Mood Disorders Ottawa

MDO is a registered, nonprofit volunteer-run organization
that supports people with mood disorders and their loved ones.

REAP: RECOVERY THROUGH EXPRESSIVE ARTS PROGRAM - starts 10Sep2018

MDO's Recovery through Expressive Arts Program (REAP) is a 12-week workshop that allows participants to explore their creativity and themselves through simple visual arts and writing exercises. Led by peer and arts facilitators, the workshop provides a safe space to learn about themselves and others. Participants will be introduced to a variety of visual arts mediums (such as drawing, pastels, and collage) and writing techniques (such as free association, poetry, and prose). The workshop is free of charge, including all materials, and is open to the community. Participants must be willing to engage in some introspection and attend most sessions as they build on one another. All participants must attend the 1st workshop information session on 10September. If its not for you, no need to attend the rest.

When: Mondays, 10Sep-3Dec2018, 6:30-9:00pm.
All participants must attend the 1st workshop/information session on 10September.
If its not for you, no need to attend the rest.

Where: 4th floor, CMHA building (1355 Bank St.), same place as the Peer Support Group.

Registration: Contact MDO at email or phone above.

A minimum of 12 participants is required.

This program is made possible through a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation.

PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY - next session starts January 2019

Pathways to Recovery is a 10-12 week program that takes a strengths based, self help approach to recovery. It is a valuable tool for people who have been labeled with mental health challenges who are thinking about what recovery would look like, and what it means to be on the journey of recovery. Pathways groups offer a self-directed way of transforming experiences as a consumer/survivor, mental patient or mental health service system user and using those experiences to achieve recovery. Our goal in using this program is to provide a supportive culture for people to explore their own recovery in a self-directed and self-controlled way, but done in group so that the experience can involve mutual support and building relationships that support and sustain recovery. Our hope is that people who participate in this program, and incorporate its work into their own journeys of healing, will one day receive most of their life?s supports and resources outside of the mental health system.

The Pathways to Recovery workbook guides readers through a process of exploring their own recovery journey while creating a long-range vision for their lives. It helps them to identify their personal strengths and dreams, and refocus on reclaiming positive sources of identity and a life beyond being a person with a mood disorder or a consumer of mental health services. It helps people think about and plan how to improve their quality of life and to live a full life, despite their history or challenges.

When: January 2019 dates TBD, 7:10-9:10p

Where: CMHA/1355 Bank St, 4th floor.
Registration: Contact MDO at email or phone above; leave your name, phone number; note that you'd like to register for Pathways.
The course and training materials are free.

What is Recovery?
"Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the day's challenges...The need is to meet the challenge of the disability and to re-establish a new and valued sense of integrity and purpose within and beyond the limits of the disability; the aspiration is to live, work and love in a community in which one makes a significant."

Patricia E. Deegan, National Consumer Leader

Pathways to Recovery is funded in part by United Way

WRAP® WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLAN - next session starts 27Sep2018

WRAP® is a 10 week self-management recovery program designed to decrease symptoms, increase personal responsibility and improve the quality of life for people who experience psychiatric symptoms. This self-designed plan teaches you to use simple, safe, personal skills, supports, and strategies to reduce or eliminate symptoms. It also includes plans for responses from others when you cannot make decisions, take care of yourself or keep yourself safe. WRAP is not meant to replace, but to complement, professional health care support and medication.

WRAP® is a structured system to monitor uncomfortable and distressing feelings and behaviors and, through planned responses, reducing, modifying, or eliminating them. It also includes plans for responses from others when you cannot make decisions, take care of yourself, or keep yourself safe.

When: 27Sep2018, 7:10-9:10p

Where: CMHA/1355 Bank St, 4th floor.
Registration: Contact MDO at email or phone above; leave your name, phone number; note that you'd like to register for WRAP.

The course and training materials are free.

"Every intention is the trigger for transformation." - Deepak Chopra

MDO 2017/2018 WRAP programs are funded in part by the Ottawa Community Foundation and the Champlain LHIN.

TELL MY STORY - next session starts 26Sept2018

More details on this workshop will be posted here as soon as available and in the newsletter.

This workshop consists of three modules offered on a rotating basis. Each module covers a specific topic and allows time for participants to share the stories they have prepared for the group. The flexibility of this workshop gives you the option to come for the topics that interest you without having to present. You also have the option to practice presenting and receive feedback as you develop your story. All of this happens in a non-judgmental and encouraging atmosphere...with quite a few laughs along the way.

Each workshop will include 1 hour spent on one of the three modules followed by 1 hour of practice/presenting time.

Module 1 – Sharing your story

This module covers the why, when, where, who, and how of sharing your story. We will explore your motivation and “readiness” for sharing your story, identify suitable audiences and discuss how to engage them, and learn presentation skills.

Module 2 – Developing your story.

This module covers the 3 components of your story; the opening, body and closing. We use structured and creative exercises to start putting your story down on paper.

Module 3 – Refining your story

In this module, we explore the content of our stories in finer detail and discuss how our language and our approach help us communicate our message. In this interactive module, we will ensure that our stories connect with the reason of the mind and the wisdom of the heart.

Module 4 - Developing Presentation Skills