ABOUT US
History of SPIG’s Formation
The Seniors Psychosocial Interest Group (SPIG), (an outcome of a previous Population Health Fund project awarded to British Columbia Psychogeriatric Association (BCPGA) was developed as an interest group to continue the work begun by BCPGA, on a national level. The development of the SPIG has been spear-headed by:
(1) Dr. Penny MacCourt, who sits on the BCPGA Board and has carried out the national project Psychosocial Approaches to the Mental Health Challenges of Late Life, sponsored by BCPGA and funded by the Population Health Fund, Health Canada;
(2) Nona Moscovitz, CLSC Rene-Cassin, Montreal, QC. A meeting was held at the Canadian Association on Gerontology(CAG) Annual Scientific and Education Conference in October 2004, at which time those present agreed that SPIG should be formalized under the Society Act of British Columbia.
(3) Judy Armstrong , Community Mental Health Services, St. John, New Brunswick, and
(4) Dr. Holly Tuokko, Centre on Aging, University of Victoria, along with Penny and Nona, formed a steering committee. . A decision was made that permanent seats on the Board be reserved for the BCPGA, the Manitoba Network of Psychogeriatric Program Specialists, the Ontario Psychogeriatric Association and the Ontario Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Network (OPMHAN)
DEFINING Mental Health and Psychosocial Approaches
We are defining mental health as
“The capacity of the individual, the group and the environment to interact with one another in ways that promote subjective well-being, the optimal development and use of mental abilities (cognitive, affective and relational), the achievement of individual and collective goals consistent with justice, and the attainment and preservation of fundamental equality" (Health & Welfare Canada, 1988; p.8). In this definition "environment" includes policies, (government, organizational and practice) that shape the seniors' social environment, including through the design and delivery of health and social services.
Mental health is conceptualized as individual resource, but one that is affected by the social context in which the individual lives but is more than the absence of mental illness.
Mental health is a broad concept that suggests a continuum from wellness through illness. Mental health can be promoted and supported (or not) wherever the individual is situated on the continuum.
We are defining psychosocial as: the psychological and social (relational and environmental) factors that can influence mental health positively or negatively, whether the individual possesses good mental health or suffers from a mental disorder.
Psychosocial approaches can be at the individual, group or organizational level.
Examples of psychosocial approaches are: mental health promotion (e.g., information to prepare for critical transitions such as retirement or bereavement); community/social strategies that support mental health by facilitating social relationships (such as seniors’ drop in centres, senior peer visiting, transportation); non-biomedical clinical interventions to address mental health problems and disorders (e.g., cognitive therapy, music; therapy, support groups); creation of social milieus that support mental health (e.g., elder friendly communities or hospitals); environmental approaches to prevent behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (e.g., strategies to reduce stimuli, wandering spaces); and policy approaches (e.g., B.C. Guidelines for Best Practices in Elderly Mental Health; Seniors Mental Health Policy Lens).
SEE PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCE MANUAL for Psychosocial Approaches submitted by colleagues in the field.
PRM
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official policies of Health Canada
For further information contact:
email: Penny MacCourt
phone: 250-755-6180 fax: 250-756-2139
2960 Hammond Bay Rd. V9T 1E2 Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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For further information contact:
email: Penny MacCourt
phone: 250-755-6180 fax: 250-756-2139
Nanaimo, BC, V9T 1E2 Canada
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Last updated: October 10, 2007 www.seniorsmentalhealth.ca