1 Toowoomba Depression Support Network Inc 9B Bell Street, Toowoomba (Opposite Centrelink). Ph: 4659 9021 www.dsn.org.au Office is open by appointment Weds 10:30am until 2:30pm Fridays 11am-2pm Newsletter No 9 – May 2014      Many Australians celebrate Mother’s Day by showing their appreciation for the achievements and efforts of mothers and mother figures. It is annually observed in Australia on the second Sunday of May.   Organized walks or runs to raise money for causes such as breast cancer research. Visits to the zoo, movies, or botanical gardens, or other places of interest. Breakfasts, brunches, lunches, afternoon teas or dinners at restaurants, cafes, or at home. Handmade gifts or cards being presented to mothers or mother figures. Flowers, chocolates, clothing, gift vouchers and other gifts that are given to mothers or mother figures. Mother’s Day poems being printed, broadcast, or presented to mothers and mother figures. Mother’s Day stories being publicized in magazines, newspapers, radio, television or the internet. BACKGROUND WHAT DO PEOPLE DO? Many people appreciate their mothers or mother figures, which include stepmothers, relatives, guardians (eg. foster mothers), and close family friends. Some organizations have Mother’s Day patrons who work together with the media and general community to raise awareness on Mother’s Day events that aim to raise funds for charitable or non-profit causes. Mother’s Day events and activities may include: Many Australians follow the Mother’s Day traditions that stem from observances in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. It is an Australian who is credited with having started the tradition of giving gifts on Mother's Day: Janet Heyden, a resident of Leichhardt Sydney, started a campaign in 1924 to collect gifts for lonely aged mothers. SYMBOLS People in Australia have family reunions to honour their mums and celebrate motherhood. Gift giving has become part of 2 the Mother's Day celebrations. A truly Australian Mother's Day gift is the Chrysanthemum. This flower is naturally in season in the month May and its name ends in "mum" which makes it the perfect gift. Men also use Chrysanthemums as "boutonnière", a decorative flower in the lapels of a jacket or coat. Wearing the Chrysanthemum on Mother's Day is another way for men to show respect and appreciation for mothers. Warning: Be sensitive as you approach this subject. Not everyone’s experience of ‘Mum’ may be positive. This can be a difficult time for children without a mother living at home. PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS RECOGNITION AND THANKS TO SUNCORP AND HERITAGE We have had a positive response from the business community in the shape of grants from: Suncorp Community Grant for Volunteer Training courses, Support Group Resources, Social Group Activities and sports equipment. A grant from the Heritage Charity Golf Day Community Support Fund has assisted us to buy a data projector for training and social events as well as a marquee to use for fundraising and community days. We would like to thank Meg Feste at Suncorp's Clifford Garden’s branch and also Jan Johnson at Heritage Bank for their assistance in securing this valuable support for DSN. VOLUNTEERS Our volunteer numbers are steadily growing with another group of people ready to go through the process of signing on with us. We are really pleased to meet and get to know people with such a broad range of skills, experience and a passion for helping others through the difficulties depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges bring. When people come to DSN, it is not the centre they come into - it is the relationships and friendships that we form as a group of workers that we are able to invite them to be part of. As peers, we often say what a RELIEF it is to talk to other people who understand what we have been through without us having to explain in great detail. TRAINING Our MI WELLWAYS RECOVERY COURSE will be starting on 13 May here at DSN and are looking forward to finding out what the participants will get out of it. It is held for a few hours each week over a ten week period. The course will be held here again in the future so if you would like to join in, please let us know. 3 RAFFLE The Toowoomba Trident Wood Turners have donated two beautifully handcrafted children’s toys that we are raffling at present. "If you pay tax, we have "Deductible Gift Recipient" status - your help towards improving people’s lives is a tax deduction for you and supports DSN. Could you help in this way please?" The Management Team monthly meeting will meet on the Saturday 10 May at 11:00 am at the DSN Office. Could those who have changed their details please let Sandra know or if you know someone who has left the area, let the office know how to contact them to see if they would like to remain a member. 2nd 1st prize: Wooden rocking horse prize - Table and chairs with blackboard on top rd 3 prize - Big Teddy Bear Please support us as we raise funds for ongoing costs. Sandra has booklets of tickets in the office that can be taken to sell to others. Alley and Leah FUNDING AND INNOVATION NEWS Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. ADMIN CORNER A reminder to everybody that Membership Fees are overdue. At the AGM a review was made of membership fees. They will now be as follows: $10.00 – Full Membership $5. 00 – Concessional Membership $25.00 – Corporate Membership As we are halfway through the financial year, membership fees will be halved!!! The funding an Innovation subcommittee was started in March 2014, and is led by Amanda Robinson – Recreation Officer at Qld Health and former staff member at both Toowoomba Clubhouse and RFQ. With her experience in Mental Health NGOs and current study of a Master’s degree in Mental Health Practice, Amanda is also the chairperson at Toowoomba’s first innovative and entrepreneurial organisation whose members have strong interests in technology, 3D printing, robotics, graphic art and gaming, and come from a diverse backgrounds. So far, the subcommittee has started the rebranding process for DSN- changing its logo and name to align with the growing needs of the community. We realise the importance of ‘filling the gap’ that currently 4 exists in the region for people that experience mental health challenges, and are looking to fill that gap through our vision and strategy for 2014/2015. The committee will continue to work to achieve the following outcomes:  Increase our membership through community promotion  Re-brand DSN  Sharing the space with other organisations  Update the website, provide a monthly e-newsletter  Acquire additional resources for the resource centre.  Create crowd funding projects  Provide full time opening hours as well as after-hours recreation and leisure activities to support recovery and connect with people in the community.  Expand services to regional QLD- e.g., Oakey, Milmerran, Kingaroy, Nanango.  Facilitate training for staff, and acquire greater training resources  Invite recovery focused peer leaders to join/provide training and visit the centre  Be able to fund a larger space to accommodate community groups  Create and support up to 20 groups in the community for both consumers and their carers/families  Reduce suicide/hospitalizations- in both extended and acute Mental Health for our members  Increase the well-being/health (physical and mental)  Provide greater insight/understanding of MI from the perspective and experience of peers.  Increase resilience and recovery from MI  Provide on-line and external resources to connect with peers in the region.  Enrich the lives of others through one’s own experiences and friendship.  Provide after-hours support/outreach in the community The only organisation in Toowoomba that is solely supported and managed by people with a lived experience of mental ill-health, DSN is already steps ahead in Australia. DSN’s strong vision to provide people with the hope that recovery is possible and achievable was what appealed to Amanda. Unlike organisations in the past, DSN focuses on using people’s lived experience and strengths to support others and it follows evidence-based strategies that are lacking in the region, and in Australia. ‘It’s good to keep the business and the support separate to some degree. Whilst the membership are aware that the organisation needs to keep paying bills to keep it running, that responsibility should go to the management committee, and now a subcommittee. I feel it gives the members the best possible use of the staff’s and each other’s time and energy for their recovery.’ We are always looking for like-minded people in the community who are willing to offer friendship to others who are excluded and are attempting to find their place in this world. If you would like to join DSN, the committee, or to find out more, please contact the team at [email protected]. We look forward to connecting with you. Amanda Robinson 5 Get Moving You may think you’re just too shattered to exercise, but if you want to regain that extra edge on life, then daily exercise if the way to go. The more physically fit and active you are, the more energy you can store and produce at short notice. The key to success is not how hard you exercise, but how often. If you can’t manage the gym or classes, then get a home fitness video. Alternatively, take two 15 minute walks every day. Exercise not only gets you fit, it releases natural endorphins into your system which will get you feeling happier. Your mum had the best idea YOU! Whole-Wheat Blueberry Pancakes Your mom will love this sweet, yet healthy breakfast treat on Mother’s Day. The pancakes are loaded with antioxidantrich blueberries and provide 13% of your daily recommended intake of protein. Calories: 146 Ingredients: 3/4 cup multigrain pancake mix (such as Arrowhead Mills) 1 tablespoon canola oil 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons soy milk 1/2 cup fresh blueberries Maple syrup Powdered sugar (optional) Preparation: 1. Combine first 4 ingredients (through blueberries). 2. Pour about 1/4 cup batter (or use a 2ounce ice-cream scoop) per pancake onto a hot nonstick griddle or skillet. Cook over medium heat for about 2–3 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Flip pancakes over, and cook an additional 2–3 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Pile on a plate in 1 stack. Cover with a hand towel to keep warm. 3. Place 2 pancakes on each of 3 plates. Drizzle with the maple syrup, and dust with some powdered sugar, if desired. EXERCISES FOR YOUR BRAIN Harriet Vines, Ph.D., an experienced author and retired college professor, gives us a few fun brain exercises to train our attention and working memory (the ability to keep information current for a short period while using this information). Given them a try! They are not as easy as they may sound… 1. Say the days of the week backwards, then in alphabetical order. 2. Say the months of the year in alphabetical order. Easy? well, why don’t you try doing so backwards, in reverse alphabetical order. 3. Find the sum of your date of birth, mm/dd/yyyy. Want more exercise? Do the same with friends’ and relatives’ date of birth. 4. Name two objects for every letter in your complete name. Work up to five objects, trying to use different items each time. 5. Wherever you are, look around and within two minutes, try to find 5 red things that will fit in your pocket, and 5 blue objects that are too big to fit. 6 HORSING AROUND…. Cartoon by Sophia Chandler ©2014 Donations? Yes, Please! DSN is a registered charity, so all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. We now have a link on our website and a brand new PayPal account for donations! To unsubscribe from receiving this newsletter, please email the text ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject to [email protected]