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Margaret Flower (right), manager of OPUS 55, discusses a client's care with a colleague. |
Background on OPUS 55
OPUS 55 (Older Persons' Unique Solutions), which has been operating for two years at the Centre, evolved from a similar program at the former Addiction Research Foundation. "The program provides older people with counselling whether their substance abuse stems from alcohol, other drugs, prescription drugs, or if their medication interferes with limited alcohol use. Like its predecessor, OPUS 55 concentrates on clients' unique needs and strengths," said Margaret Flower, manager of the program.
Strength of the program
A goal of the program is to find each client's own inner strengths. This can happen using narrative therapy in which clients are told to think of someone who has had a positive effect on their life. Mollie thought of someone who would not describe her as an "abused wife, drinker or homeless person." She recalled a teacher who might have described her as "quick to learn" and "bright at math." Other stories and descriptions followed until Mollie could see that she had many strengths, not just problems or an addiction.
Mollie attended weekly individual counselling sessions as well as group therapy sessions at the Centre for nearly two years. Initially, the pressures in her new life made it impossible to give up drinking completely. "Mollie also did all the things that would keep body and soul together for the rest of the time. What's important in this program is that you don't give people the answers. You work with them so they find their own solutions," said Margaret.
Mollie found a GP and dentist, got accepted into subsidized housing, went to subsidized fitness classes at the YMCA, took stress management courses and volunteered. Most challenging for her was enrolling in a computer course given through a vocational rehabilitation training program at the Centre, which boosted her self-esteem.
Exciting new development
OPUS 55 is now in the midst of an exciting research project with the help of four of the Centre's researchers. They are developing and testing a "detection tool" to help health care professionals identify a substance misuse problem when assessing a client in a health care setting. In a typical assessment, a client might not wish to, or be able to, answer the question "Do you have a drinking problem?" This new tool would help clinicians probe in a much more sensitive way.
Contact information
OPUS 55 is located at CAMH's ARF site at 33 Russell Street (near Spadina and College). For more information, contact Margaret Flower at 416-535-8501 ext. 4753.
* name changed for publication
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Paul Kwasi Kafele |
Making progress
In January of this year, the Diversity Programs office was set up to provide ongoing corporate support and co-ordination for diversity to all parts of the organization. Each Centre department submitted a detailed program plan for the coming year indicating how they would be integrating diversity considerations into all aspects of their work, including improving clinical care and working with stakeholders.
Close to 95 per cent of the Centre's senior management and the Board of Directors have already received diversity training. Training for all front line staff has begun and will be completed next year. Our internal Diversity Champions Team, which has representatives from across the four sites and the regions, provides us with valuable feedback, expertise and support. They also demonstrate leadership and give our agenda legitimacy throughout the Centre.
We also have an external Diversity Steering Committee made up of community partners, other hospitals, clients, family members and CAMH staff to give us external support, perspectives and expertise.
We are currently working with a Human Resources Working Group to develop human resources tools to ensure that we build comprehensive equity into our employment practices and provide diversity benchmarks for performance appraisals. We are also taking a detailed look at our research needs with respect to diversity so that we can reflect those priorities more fully in our planning and work in this area.
New initiatives
Our diversity communications campaign is an important opportunity for us to expand the conversation about diversity, to promote our workplace as a safe place for all stakeholders to address relevant issues and to change the look of our physical environment so we become more warm and inviting to all. New diversity banners and posters and a video boldly announce our commitment and leadership.
Learning forums
Upcoming Learning Forums are designed to build awareness, increase our service delivery capacity and enhance our partnerships with diverse communities and stakeholders. The first two forums will be on disabilities.
Access and ethno-racial communities
By January 2002, we will be entering the second phase of the "Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers" Access Program in partnership with five community-based ethno-racial/cultural agencies. Watch for a report of this launch in the next At the Centre.
Our work presents different challenges as well as opportunities for learning and growth for all of us. Check out diversity on the Centre Web site at www.camh.net or contact us on the Community Information Line at 416-535-8501 ext. 1650.
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For general information on addiction and mental health:
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Home
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