Seniors Mental Health Policy Lens Training Workshops in Northern BC

Background of Application 1. Context (a) Environment (b) Why we were interested 1. Context (a) Environment (b) Why we were interested “FIND US A SENIOR” COMMUNITY MEETING

Background of Application 1. Context (c) who was involved and why them 2. Goal 1. Context (c) who was involved and why them 2. Goal 1. Ourselves 2. City of Prince George 3. University of Northern BC 4. Local organizations / front-line service providers – Seniors Dialogues 5. Local organizations – Volunteer PG “NO DECISIONS ABOUT US WITHOUT US!”

Application process 1. Specific process - OURSELVES Outreach Program evaluated by UNBC student Development of new Seniors Peer Support Program Policies & Procedures Wellness Wednesday drop-in Program evaluated by Program participants

Application process 1. Specific process – CITY PROGRAM MANAGERS City Program Managers – INFORMAL APPROACH City Manager – LETTER + BROCHURE City Social Policy Facilitator -- FOLLOWUP

Application process 1. Specific process – MANY FACES OF HEALTH RESEARCH

Application process 1. Specific process – PARTICIPANTS OF PREVIOUS SENIORS’ DIALOGUES Elizabeth Fry Society Crisis Line Ministry of Housing & Social Development Personal Support Centre Alzheimer Society BC Paraplegic Association Canadian Diabetes Association Brain Injured Group Canadian Mental Health Association Aimhi (PG Association for Community Living) UNBC Community Care Centre

Application process 1. Specific process - LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT UTILIZE VOLUNTEERS Carefree Society (HandiDart) Northern HIV & Health Education Society Railway Museum Personal Supports Centre PG Community Policing Aimhi (PG Association for Community Living) Nechako Rotary Club / Shelter Box Canada Canadian Red Cross Northern Health / Jubilee Lodge

Application process 1) Specific Process – OUR WORKSHOPS Background & development of lens Pilot projects - Prince George & beyond Overview of website followed by closer look

Near Term Results 1) Was awareness changed or partnerships made? 2) Any potential implications of changes or partnerships? 1) Was awareness changed or partnerships made? 2) Any potential implications of changes or partnerships? SMHPL intro workshop E Fry Society Non- Profit Housing Society Example of outward RIPPLE Canadian Mental Health Association IMSS

Near Term Results 2) Deliverables created - BROCHURE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION 2) Deliverables created - BROCHURE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Lessons Learned 1) What Worked Best Discussion arising from questions “Thank you … I look forward to using the website.” User-friendly website Group analysis of a specific local program or service

Lessons Learned 2) Challenges, obstacles, and what didn’t work “ Our agency doesn’t provide services for the mentally ill.” “Our programs aren’t designed for seniors.” “Sorry, I’m just too busy to attend your workshop.”

Lessons Learned Recommendations o “This tool may be helpful in writing an evaluation for my manager … I will try it out and see.” o “Yes, I can see utilizing this tool within a couple of our different committees to evaluate our organization’s user-friendliness.” “I think the wording of many of the questions could be better … seemed over- complicated.” “Answer categories could be broader, not just yes / no.”

Future Hopes Where would follow-up be most useful? revisiting workshop participants analyzing outward ripples learning how lens has been utilized