Minding Our Bodies OSNPPH Nutrition Exchange Conference June 3, 2011

1. Minding Our Bodies OSNPPH Nutrition Exchange Conference June 3, 2011

2. Minding Our Bodies is… • A provincial mental health promotion program • An initiative of the CMHA Ontario • In partnership with YMCA Ontario, York University Faculty of Health, Mood Disorders Association of Ontario and the Nutrition Resource Centre • With support from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion through the Communities in Action Fund (2008-2010) and Healthy Communities Fund (2009-2011)

3. Mental health and mental illness • Two Continuum Model

4. Chronic disease rates • Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death • Diabetes rates: 2-4x greater for people with serious mental illness • Morbidity: 25 years earlier than the general population

5. Purpose Minding Our Bodies is designed to: • Build capacity within the community mental health system in Ontario to promote physical activity and healthy eating for people with serious mental illness to support recovery • Help mental health service providers, together with community partners, develop and deliver evidence-based programs, improve access to local resources, and promote social inclusion

6. Short-Term Objectives • Increased awareness of the relationship between healthy eating and mental health • Increased awareness of effective strategies for promoting healthy eating and physical activity among people with serious mental illness • Strengthened partnerships between provincial organizations interested in these issues • Increased capacity among community mental health agencies to deliver and evaluate health promotion activities • Increased inter-professional partnerships • Development of a group of trained leaders to promote healthy eating skills with people with serious mental illness

7. Project Tools • Environmental scan • Literature review • Online toolkit (www.mindingourbodies.ca) • Six healthy eating pilot programs (2010-2011) • Community of practice • Project evaluation

8. Pilot Programs: Lessons Learned • Sample individual participant barriers and solutions • Social isolation  group programming • Low socioeconomic status  affordable programs, skill- building, and employment opportunities • Stigma  education, partnership and peer leadership

9. Pilot Programs: Lessons Learned • Sample organizational barriers and solutions: - Organizational culture  highlight program success - Program sustainability  interprofessional partnership in local communities - Evaluation capacity gaps  provision of tools and customized support

10. Community of Practice Facilitated for program leaders and other allied professionals to: • Stay connected with each other to share experience and growing expertise to support sustainability of programs • Inspire new programs among pilot organizations and other organizations • Facilitate access to expertise for questions • Platforms: • E-bulletin, listserv, teleconferences, in-person meetings and forums. • Sign up to join at www.mindingourbodies.ca/user/register

11. Questions?

12. Boost Your Mood: Eat, Move and Be Healthy June 3, 2011

13. Our Vision Individuals and families impacted by mood disorders recover and heal.

14. Our Mission Informed by the lived experience, the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario serves communities through providing: awareness, education and training; family and youth clinical support; recovery programs; and, peer support.

15. Overview of Support • 54 peer support groups, through 34 affiliate members across Ontario • 10 recovery-based programs in Toronto • Clinical support for families and newly diagnosed young people • Web-based resources, including online peer support forum • Library of more than 450 relevant print publications • Toll-free telephone support • “Stop the Stigma” week in Toronto Catholic high schools • Workplace training – federal and provincial government

16. What is Boost Your Mood? 6 week healthy eating and physical activity program

17. Program Objectives Physical Health: Improved cardiovascular function Better sleep patterns Improved muscle tone and flexibility Increased awareness of community resources that are available for participants to increase their physical activity

18. Program Objectives Healthy Eating: Increased confidence and skill related to food preparation Increased knowledge of label reading and interpretation Increased awareness of patterns as well as strategies related to individual relationship with food

19. Program Objectives Mental Health: Increased social interaction and support Improved mood

20. Facilitators Registered Dietitian Accredited Personal Trainer People with lived experience of depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder

21. Program Overview 6 week program, including introductory session and evaluation/participant focus group 4 weeks of program content Followed the 4 food groups and included interactive activities, recipes and snacks Tools were repeated each week including food security, cooking for one, and cooking on a budget, as well as a physical activity component

22. Participant’s Perspective What happened? What went well? What might make the program better?

23. Evaluation Pre and post test with participants Staff focus group Participant focus group Outside evaluator

24. Next Steps Develop longer program Train the Trainer for peer supporters Involve nutrition professionals

25. Questions www.mooddisorders.on.ca