Moving Forward Family Services
MULTIPLE SITES Surrey, BC, Canada

Once the reality of Covid-19 hit, like many organizations we went about shifting our resources. This meant moving to online platforms for client work and clinical supervision, as well as pulling back somewhat on advocacy around mental health and addiction matters. As much as advocating for low barrier emotional wellness services and supports is always necessary, the more pressing concerns for many was around income, food, and housing security, as well as minimizing infections... through getting the word out about physical distancing, hand washing, etc. and doing whatever we could to support essential workers. While the focus was on all the above, mental health and wellness was always close to the surface of all those issues. Mental health and addiction resources were stretched rather thin prior to Covid-19; during Covid-19 and what appears to hopefully soon be post-Covid-19, the system has and will be stretched, and stressed, even further. While there is room for medical models of care when it comes to triage, assessment and short-term care, we also need robust community-based care that can focus not just on short-term support, but also long-term healing and recovery. MFFS looks forward to continuing to be one of many community-based options for our diverse communities in addressing mental health and addiction concerns. We look forward to continued support from the community in this regard. If interested in supporting our efforts (while having the chance to win a cash prize) please consider purchasing tickets for our 50/50 raffle. All proceeds go to direct counselling and support services. https://eventcheckinfamilies.rafflenexus.com/a/counsellor

Thank you again Tony Singh and Fruiticana for you generous donation towards low barrier mental health and addictions counselling and support to our diverse communities!

Thank you Giustra Foundation for your generous donation and support of our low barrier counselling and support services!

Moving Forward Families Counselling Services is offering a free Anxiety Group for South Asian Women, a CBT based psycho-education group aimed to explain anxiety and help support women (18+) from a South Asian background. 6 weeks online 6-8pm Fridays from Jan 8 - Feb 12

Next free online group is Friday January 8, 2021

Healthy Relationships Coaching Program This program provides one-to-one coaching with participants with a focus on skills for healthy relationships with an intimate partner. Note: this is not a couples counselling program nor is it an anger management program for someone charged with abuse against an intimate partner but rather a program for individuals interested in learning skills to improve their intimate relationships. ... These are intended to be individual psycho-educational coaching sessions. However, if a couple wishes to do the sessions together that is possible.

While MFFS receives dozens of referrals weekly from Fraser Health, Ministry for Children and Families, Surrey Schools, Probation and Doctor’s offices, and we consider these groups important community colleagues and partners in community care, we are not funded by any of these sources. While we do receive and are grateful for support from the Ministry for Mental Health and Addictions, Gaming, the United Way of the Lower Mainland and Surrey Cares Foundation; the majority of ou...r funding comes from community support. Community support is key in our ability to remain nimble and focused on grassroots community needs. If in a position to do, I would ask the community to support our efforts by considering participating in our online fundraiser, where you would have the opportunity to win the 50/50 cash jackpot (this will be going live in the coming days!) Alternatively, you are welcome to donate. For the month of December, any donations made will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $12500 by philanthropists in the community (with that number growing as more philanthropists join the campaign). https://www.canadahelps.org//Moving-Forward-Family-Servic/

https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/events/chalo-baat-karein Our counsellor Navreen was on last week, and back next Tuesday to talk more about 'what is counselling' and answer any counselling related questions

Are you supporting a loved one with mental health or substance use concerns? Do you have questions about their different prescribed medications? Join us for a v...irtual discussion with Fraser Health Pharmacy Specialist, Dr. Debbie Thompson, November 18, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. No referral required. Register or get more information at http://ow.ly/1bBs50C9NLJ See more

https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/screening/online/?screen=body

Free program email [email protected]

Colleen, a first year PsyD student at Adler University and Social Justice Practicum Student interviewed Gary Thandi, Founder and Director of Moving Forward Family Services. Gary Thandi has a background in Social Work. He was born and raised in Campbell River and moved to Victoria for University. About 20 years ago he relocated to the Lower Mainland where he continues to reside. He originally entered the field of Mental Health for the sense of purpose it brought him. He ...Continue reading

Outreach at local temple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jCk8i2K6dU Colleen, a 1st year PsyD student at Adler University interviews Navreen a Master's in Counselling Psychology student at Alder and Clinicial Intern at Moving Forward Family Services. Navreen speaks about her personal experiences of supporting mental illness through a cultural lens and some of the stigma related to getting mental health related support.

http://mffs.ca/mffs-blog/ The Importance of Mental Health Following the death of his father in a terrible car accident, Kevin develops a lack of interest in playing the guitar and reading (his regular hobbies; American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Fakhoury, 2016). He also begins experiencing sleep difficulties, severe weight loss, a daily lack of energy, and problems concentrating (APA, 2013). Kevin’s relationships, job performance, and ability to enjoy life start to suffer...Continue reading

From BCSS (copied from an email) Online Teens in Control Workshop. This workshop will take place online at 3:30 5 pm... Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 8 Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29 Teens in Control provides education and support for youth ages 13 to 18 who have a family member (parent, sibling, etc.) with mental illness. Through the workshop, youth will learn about mental illness, build healthy coping strategies, and connect with other youth who may share similar experiences within their families. There is the option for youth to continue with an online monthly drop-in group after taking part in the workshop. This workshop is open to youth living anywhere in BC. The youth can be referred by a family member or professional, or youth 14+ can self-refer. 604-679-1191 or [email protected] Deadline for registration is October 3 for Workshop #1 and October 23 for Workshop #2

https://www.youtube.com/watch Colleen, a 1st year PsyD student at Adler University interviews Vermonte, a Registered Clinical Counsellor and former practicum student at Moving Forward Family Services. Vermonte discusses some of her thoughts around mental illness, social justice, how she got into the field of mental health, and stigma.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Surrey community has faced an acute demand for mental health counselling services. Thanks to an #ECSFund grant of $34,000,... Moving Forward Family Services has been able to increase capacity by hiring 20 new student interns to help increase in-person, online and phone counselling services for vulnerable and under-serviced populations. You can learn more about their work here http://mffs.ca/ The needs in our community are still acute. We encourage all compassionate, caring, and giving individuals, organizations, and businesses to provide support to those in need. Please help and donate today at https://www.surreycares.org/surrey-community-relief-fund . Community Foundations of Canada Employment and Social Development Canada

https://www.bccf.ca//adrienne-montani-and-pacific-immigr/ The BC Council for Families would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s Carol Matusicky Distinguished Service to Families Award: Adrienne Montani and Pacific Immigrant Resources Society. Joseph Dunn, BCCF’s Executive Director, presented the awards at its virtual Annual General Meeting on September 23rd, 2020. Each winner will receive a certificate and $500, which can be used towards training and professi...onal development. After much consideration and serious deliberation, the Award Committee selected two finalists for this year. It was a difficult decision as all of the nominees were deserving of recognition, and have made and continue to make a significant positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in BC. This year’s other deserving nominees were: Adrienne Montani; Burnaby Family Life; Cathy Peters; Children of the Street, PLEA; Dana Rose; Debra Niessen; Fairfield Gonzales Community Association; Jane Taylor Lee; Judy Valsonis; Maylen Crespo; Moving Forward Family Services and Pacific Immigrant Resources Society. About the Winners Adrienne Montani has been a tenacious and tireless advocate for women, children, youth and their families since 1976. She joined First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition in 2000, became Provincial Coordinator in 2005, and guided its advocacy work ever since. As the lead author of First Call’s Annual Child Poverty Report Card, Adrienne has worked year-over-year to improve the lives of BC’s children and youth with recommendations aimed at all levels of government. Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS) began serving immigrant and refugee women and children in 1975, recognizing the unique challenge that they face integrating and advancing in Canadian society. PIRS is a supportive community dedicated to empowering women to raise out of isolation and integrate into Canadian life by offering programs that build on English skills, provide opportunities to make friends, build workforce credentials and more. About the Award The Carol Matusicky Distinguished Service to Families Award was established in 1987, and was renamed the Carol Matusicky Distinguished Service to Families Award in 2014 to honour the Council’s late Executive Director. Carol served the agency with distinction for 23 years, from 1984 to 2007 advocating for families and children across the province.

An interview with Danial, a 5th year PsyD student at Adler University and former student at Moving Forward Family Services. Interviewed by Colleen, a 1st year PsyD student at Adler University and Social Justice Practicum Student with MFFS. Danial discusses topics such as mental illness, stigma, social justice, and seeking help. https://www.youtube.com/watch

Journeys In The Land of Sorrow: The Sacred Work of Grief A free 9 week Art Therapy Grief Support Group email [email protected] to register Saturdays 11-1pm... Oct 17th-Dec 12th, 2020 Facilitated by Katrina an art therapy practicum student 18 years + Available to those who have lost someone, such as a friend, partner or family member in the past three years. 4-8 group members This group will be guided by the principles of art therapy as well as the books, 'It's Okay That You're Not Okay' & The Wild Edge Of Sorrow. "Pain, like love, needs expressionWe are storytelling creatures. We look to art, and to story, to help us make sense of the world, especially when what’s happened makes no sense. We need images to live into, stories to guide us in the life that has come. We need the creative process to bear witness to our own reality- to reflect our own pain back to usWhen we separate the creative process from a need to solve or fix things, it becomes an ally." - Megan Devine, 'It's Okay That You're Not Okay' Participants don't need to have any experience with art or art materials to participate in this group. Our focus is on exploring the different art materials and what we notice and feel during the process. The focus is not on technical skill, but is instead curiosity, play and expression. ---------------------- Journeys in the Land of Sorrow is designed to, through the creative process: -normalize and validate experiences of grief -build social support -promote embodiment and regulation -process emotion and experience -honour individual yet interdependent journeys

https://www.youtube.com/watch

Tonight at our group supervision, one of the clinicians shared this great acronym that focuses on self-care - NESTS: nutrition, exercise, sleep, time for self and support

Adult Group is now full ... there is still room for the Youth Group email [email protected] to register for free online group

This Saturday morning, October 10th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will have a mental health information booth and two mental health sessions with creative art activities at the Bethel United Church. The address is 6468 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC. Agenda: 10:00-12:00 Mental Health Information Booth: Provide brochures of mental health and creative art activity for the public.... 10:00-10:30 Suicide-Hope Awareness Session: Presented by Marie Vaughan-Cadmus, Counsellor. 11:30-12:00 Healing Through Art Session: Presented by Nathalie Chang, Art Therapy Master's Student. (Social distance and additional Covid-19 Precautions will be taken) You can also access our mental health live sessions on the Bethel United Church Facebook page: fb.me/BUASurrey

Our Intern Counsellors Luciana, Courtney and Catherine connecting with community at Surrey Food Bank

Weekend outreach

Free online Art Therapy group for Adults Starts Tuesday evening September 15th - a few spots left! email [email protected]

https://protectchildren.ca/en/order/product/301:en/ Free download English, French, Swedish, Arabic, Swahili and Finnish version... "This storybook teaches kids about freeze, flight and fight and helps them learn some basic self-regulation skills. Understanding freeze, flight and fight can allow for new conversations about how your child feels and what to do to help them manage their big feelings."

https://www.ramp-project.org/

SAATH support group in Punjabi

Current/upcoming programs Email [email protected]

https://www.surreynowleader.com//new-indoor-soccer-turf-i/ "They’re entered into a partnership with Moving Forward Family Services (MFFS), a mentorship agency that provides counselling and social work practice opportunities to interns and new graduates entering private practice."

self-refer or refer via secured link at mffs.ca or e-mail [email protected]

KidsPlay Foundation presents FREE Summer Camps for kids. We’re pleased to off...er camps in the City of Surrey and the City of Abbotsford: Newton Athletic Park, 7395 128 Street Surrey, BC Aug 25 - Sept 4 (Monday - Friday) 10AM - 2PM Eugine Reimer Middle School, 3433 Firhill Dr, Abbotsford, BC Aug 25 - Sept 4 (Monday - Friday) 10AM - 2PM All camps are led by fully trained leaders and will follow strict guidelines to ensure the safety of both kids and staff. However, camps may be cancelled if new health information emerges. All participants must pre-register. We are unable to accept registrations in person. Register by visiting us on our website or call us at 778 320 6540 / 778 869 3900. The phone lines will be open from 9PM to 7PM to take registrations over the phone. Registration Deadline - Friday, August 21

For our American supporters: #mentalhealth #crisissupport #ymhc For Canadians who are disturbed we put information to support Americans, go to this link for Canadian information- ymhc.ngo/resources/covid-19/

http://mffs.ca/mffs-blog/ Intersectionality, Social Democracy, and Human Rights Danial Asadolahi