NISA/Northern Initiative for Social Action
36 Elgin St. 2nd Floor P3C 5B4 Greater Sudbury, ON, Canada

Do you have lived experience and write poetry, or know someone who does? The deadline to submit to our literary magazines'/Open Minds Quarterlys' international poetry contest is this Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Find all the details below!

The Sudbury Community Service Centre Inc is offering their free income tax clinic this year by drop-off or virtual means! To book an appointment or to find out more call them at 705-560-0430.

An update on our phone services today: Our peer workers will be unable to answer the phone from 1-4 p.m. due to a virtual staff meeting. We are available up until 1 p.m. and then in the evening as usual through the Regional Warm Line from 6 p.m. to midnight, if you'd like to connect.

A message from the Editor-Publisher of our literary magazine Open Minds Quarterly

Today is #BellLetsTalk day. We know that reaching out to talk about your struggles and to ask for help is an act of vulnerability and great courage. We also know how vital it is to be able to reach someone, or a service, in a timely manner, when you’re in need of support. Wait lists for some services can be daunting; fees, too steep to pay without insurance; and a whole range of circumstances and structural oppression can relate to feeling unwell. Whatever you are going throu...gh it’s important to remember that it’s not all in your head and you're not alone. Below are some of the FREE options for support and early intervention in Sudbury, that are striving to be as accessible as possible during these extraordinarily challenging times. Here at NISA, we are currently offering some peer support over the phone Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (705-222-6472), as well as through our evening Regional Warm Line that operates every day of the year from 6 p.m. to midnight (1-866-856-9276). We’re here and ready to listen to you about the stress of paying your bills, the loneliness of quarantine, parenting during a pandemic, the grief of not being able to grieve together, the things that help you cope, what made you smile today, and much more. You don’t have to have a diagnosis or be in crisis to connect to a supportive listener. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. Many mental health services are also underfunded, therefore under resourced, and could benefit everyone by having more support. To make a donation to NISA today, a PayPal etransfer would be graciously accepted at [email protected]

"This population are people who've often had people observe them and write about them but without, you know, actually including them in that ... My hope is that from this we can see some action on the issues concerning them." The researcher for our Older Adult Peer Support Project spoke to CBC this morning about our current research initiative that is recruiting older adults themselves to be involved in research on older adult mental health. Read on more details and if you're curious about participating, you can contact Andréa at [email protected]

Today we launch the first Virtual Emergency Department in Northern Ontario. HSN’s Virtual ED service is available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.... Patients with non-life threatening conditions can log onto www.hsnsudbury.ca/virtualed and fill out a form requesting a same-day appointment, in French or English, with an Emergency Department physician. Patients will be contacted by a nurse within an hour of submitting their request form to have their situation assessed. A time for a video appointment with a physician will then be confirmed if appropriate, or the patient may be advised to come to the Emergency Department for a visit in person if necessary. Secure internet access and a working computer or smartphone are required to access HSN’s Virtual ED. Patients who have a primary healthcare provider such as a family physician or nurse practitioner, are encouraged to attempt to access their services first before accessing the Virtual ED. The Virtual ED is not recommended for patients under the age of 12 months, or anyone with serious or life threatening medical issues. For healthcare emergencies, patients should contact 911 or come directly to the Emergency Department. Visit our site to find out more www.hsnsudbury.ca/virtualed *** Aujourd’hui, nous lançons le premier service des urgences virtuel du Nord de l’Ontario. Le Service des urgences virtuel d’HSN est ouvert du lundi au vendredi de 10 h à 18 h. Les patients ayant un problème de santé qui ne met pas leur vie en danger peuvent ouvrir une session à l’adresse www.hsnsudbury.ca/SUvirtuel , puis y remplir un formulaire de demande pour obtenir un rendez-vous le même jour, en français ou en anglais, avec un urgentologue. Dans l’heure qui suit l’envoi du formulaire, un membre du personnel infirmier communiquera avec le patient demandant un rendez-vous pour évaluer sa situation, confirmer l’heure du rendez-vous par vidéo avec le médecin selon le cas ou conseiller le patient de se rendre au Service des urgences en personne. Pour accéder au Service des urgences virtuel d’HSN, il faut un accès sécurisé à l’internet, un ordinateur ou un téléphone intelligent. On encourage les patients qui ont un fournisseur de soins primaires comme un médecin ou une infirmière praticienne à essayer d’obtenir une consultation avec cette personne avant d’accéder au Service des urgences virtuel. Ce service n’est pas recommandé pour les enfants ayant moins de 12 mois ou pour les personnes dont le problème de santé est grave ou menace la vie. En cas d’urgence médicale, les patients devraient faire le 911 ou se présenter directement au Service des urgences. Visitez notre site pour en savoir plus www.hsnsudbury.ca/SUvirtuel

If you’re an artist or creative professional interested in further enhancing your business skills you may want to take a look at the first ever Artrepreneur 9-week online course being offered by the Sudbury Arts Council - Conseil des arts de Sudbury. The program is geared to providing training in marketing, finance, goal-setting, strategic planning, and partnership formation. More details at: https://www.sudburyartscouncil.ca/en/artrepreneur/

Well, we can't NOT share this! L'Arche Sudbury Inc. is participating in "The World’s First International Lip Synching Competition Hosted by People With Intellectual Disabilities". In round one, they are facing off against L'Arche London, Ontario. Every share gets them 3 points, "like" gets them 2 points, and every dollar donated gets them 1-point. Check out this ultra creative and joyful first video below and consider sharing to help themand Sudburyout!

Read on for the key news from NISA in December 2020: Job opportunities, membership holiday packages, our annual report, a holiday gift offer from Open Minds Quarterly, and more! https://mailchi.mp/71d373380fdd/nisa-news-december-3585658

An exploitative video that has been circling around social media recently has now been removed from the creator's personal page, but is still hosted on CTV's site. If you're unfamiliar with the deeply problematic circumstances of this, Black Lives Matter Sudbury outlines the issues below. We stand in solidarity with the community members who were represented in this video without their consent and encourage others to respectfully contact CTV Northern News and ask this video be deleted immediately. A sample script is also provided below.

Join our Surviving the Holidays - A Journey of Well-being workshop on December 15, 2020 from 1:30pm to 3pm! Details are on the poster. Miigwetch!

The Fall 2020 issue of our magazine Open Minds Quarterly is out this week! Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Café Obscura Sudbury our editor will be sipping coffee, selling merch and copies, and answering any questions you have about submitting or subscribing! First 5 visitors get a free copy! [Image: promotional graphic with cover featuring artwork of a fox in the forest by @shelby.mcansh, text reads: "Fall 2020 launch, Thursday, November 19, 10-2 @cafeobscurasudbury, free copy for first 5 visitors!]

Admin please delete if not allowed. It's for a good cause that saves lives. Thank you! <3

Please note and please share the details on the shelters, centres, and services that are available for people who are homeless in our city, plus, places that are accepting donations of warm winter items (clean and bagged) for anyone in need: Sudbury Women's Centre 324-F Elm St. (Gus Mall) // 705-673-1916 - Serving women & children ... - In need of winter coats, snow suits, winter boots, hats and mittens - To donate: Call X100, to book an appointment to drop off donations - winter items accepted on Mondays & Wednesdays Pregnancy Care Centre & Infant Food Bank 1032 LaSalle Blvd. // 705-673-5003 - Serving young children. - In need of coats, snowsuits, winter boots, hats and mittens for newborn to size 4 - To donate: Winter items are accepted on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays from 10am-2pm Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures 450 Morin Ave. // 705-671-1941 - Serving families. - In need of winter coats, snowsuits, snow pants, winter boots, hats, scarfs, and mittens/gloves To donate: Call X236 to book an appointment to drop off donations. - Shopping days (for those in need) are Mondays & Tuesdays, by appointment only. The YMCA Sudbury is also opening as a warming centre from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. beginning tonight, and they are seeking donations of new socks, underwear, mitts, and other warm clothing like sweaters, long johns, pants, etc.

The ReStorying Autism in Education research project is seeking 16+ autistic and neurodivergent participants for an online digital zine-making workshop and research interviews about experiences of education and COVID-19. Participants will be compensated, and artistic and technical help will be available. More information is on this recruitment poster, or you can contact Dr. Patty Douglas at [email protected] or https://tinyurl.com/restoryingautismzine

Thank you to the Ontario Peer Development Initiative for reaching out to us to chat more about mental health experiences during a pandemic and the value of making a personal wellness plan. Read on below, the interview with one of NISA's Outreach Peer Support Workers.

You can help L'Arche Sudbury Inc. make it to week three of this fabulous international lip syncing battle by doing one (or all) of the prompts below!

NISA is around to support your mental health every week, but during #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, it seems fitting to provide a little background on what exactly we do: peer support. Check out this nifty infographic which outlines the principles of peer support to learn more about our approach!

NISA News, the November 2020 edition is here! Click on to find out more about a job posting, Disability Arts Meetup, our annual quilt donation, new programming and workshops, and a time to honour our members passed. https://mailchi.mp/2cc1806adbc4/nisa-news-november-2020

Have you thought about preparing a personal mental health plan? It can help get you through the darker, colder months, especially with the added challenge of the pandemic. Check out NISA's own Audrey O'Brien chatting about it with CBC.

November 2-6 is Treaties Recognition Week and the Robinson Huron Waawiindaamaagewin is hosting a series of teaching’s on the rights and relationships associated with treaties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in this area (Robinson-Huron Treaty territory originally cared for by the Wahnapitae First Nation and Atikameksheng Anishinawbek). To learn more about this week and the relevance of treaties, and join in any of the sessions, contact Cheryl Recollet at [email protected]

Now Hiring! Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges/mental illness? Do you want to share your insights and skills with your peers? If so, you may want to check out what it would mean to be a Peer Support Worker at NISA. Full details at: http://nisa.on.ca/career-opportunities/

October 4-10 is #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek. Below, are just some of the free options for support and early intervention here in Sudbury during this exceptionally challenging time, including here at NISA. Please share this #MIAW20 For a larger version of this in English go here: http://bit.ly/SudburyMIAW-EN For a larger version of this in French go here: http://bit.ly/SudburyMIAW-FR... Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin, Health Sciences North / Horizon Santé-Nord, Compass / Boussole / Akii-Izhinoogan, Monarch Recovery Services, Regional Warm Line

Today is the International Day of Older Persons. Did you know that NISA has an Older Adult Peer Support program that offers mental health support by and for older adults (55+) who are struggling emotionally or in isolation. If you are connected with any older adults that may appreciate a listening ear please share the word about NISA's program. Our older adult peer workers can be contacted at 705-222-6472 ext. 342 or at [email protected]

Today is Orange Shirt Day, a day to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. People are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to recognize the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who was given an orange shirt by her grandmother to wear on her first day in the St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in B.C. Her shirt was forcibly taken from her... by the mission along with her other clothes. Wearing an orange shirt today is a call to action to inform people about the generational harms of residential schools and to show support that Indigenous children matter as much as non-Indigenous children. Every day, we can learn more and participate in meaningful conversations and actions related to reconciliation. Today, we encourage you all to join us in some of the virtual events happening today for Orange Shirt Day: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/ontario.html

The federal government is looking for input from people with disabilities, organizations that work with and for people with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and other bodies of government to help shape Canada's accessibility standards. There's just one more day to have your say! The survey link is below.

"If this disruption undoes you, if the absence of people unravels you, if touch was a tether that held you together and now that it’s severed you’re fragile, too: Lean into loneliness, and know you’re not alone in it." A beautifully tender animation on living alone and through this extended isolation by filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and poet Tanya Davis.

A call for social justice through public art

Reopening update from NISA: Beginning Monday, September 28 NISA will be open four days a week (every weekday except Wednesday) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:15 p.m. for groups and scheduled appointments. We will lock our doors after 1 p.m. so members attending the afternoon group are strongly encouraged to arrive at 12:30, 1 at the latest. The doors however will be open throughout the morning schedule. One morning and one afternoon group will be held per day. Membe...rs can come to these groups in-person at NISA or by Zoom online. NISA is admitting 12 people onsite at any given time (not including staff). This is based on first-come first-served EXCEPT two spots per group are reserved for any members taking Handi-Transit/GOVA Plus. If a member is booking a bus we ask that they call us in advance so we know to look out for their arrival. On Wednesday’s we will offer virtual groups just through Zoom. Anyone curious about becoming a NISA member may come onsite when we are open to book an orientation appointment or call Alex R directly at 705-222-6472 ext. 308 to make an appointment. One-to-one peer support will continue to be available by appointment. And, peer support over the phone for anyone hoping for a supportive listening ear will also continue to be offered every weekday during office hours. Screening will happen upstairs now in our main lobby. We hope to continue with this programming plan for the next 2-3 weeks and then will assess from there if anything needs to change. We thank our members as always for their support, guidance and understanding as we figure out some new and some familiar ways to connect! We have shared this news with our members in various ways but if you are connected with any members please feel welcome to pass this along.

A team of LGBTQ+ parents and researchers at the University of Guelph are conducting a study to learn more about how forms of inclusion and exclusion impact the experiences of LGBTQ+ parents living in Ontario with a child under the age of five. Each participant will receive $25 cash as thanks. For more information contact the study lead Julia at [email protected]

Support Myths and Mirrors and Sudbury Street Arts by taking part in our Hand-Painted Notebook Auction starting tomorrow, September 18th at 9:00am. Each 80-page ...Moleskine Kraft notebook features cover art by Myths and Mirrors' summer community artists Casey McGee, Blaine Thornton, and Quinn Zwarich. HOW IT WORKS: 1. To make a bid, comment your bid amount in the comment section of the item you'd like to bid on. BIDDING STARTS AT $15. 2. The auction closes MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2020 at 8PM EST. The highest bidder will be notified in the comment section. 3. Payment can be made by EMT or PayPal. Once received, the winning bidder will be contacted to arrange pick-up or delivery of their notebook. 4. If the winner doesn't claim their notebook within 48 hours of notification, it will be offered to the next highest bidder. About SUDBURY STREET ARTS: Sudbury Street Arts launched in the fall of 2019 as a weekly arts drop-in space reserved for low-income folks and homeless and/or street involved people. Each week, we’d gather as community members with mixed and shared experiences of homelessness, extreme poverty, immigration, queer identity, gender-based violence, disability, Indigeneity and racialization, to create a space of cultural production, gift giving, and knowledge exchange. Unfortunately, Covid-19 interrupted this work and left many without access to the supports and services necessary to meet their basic needs. In response, this summer we set up once a week in Memorial Park to offer a light meal to about 40 people and re-distribute art supplies, camping gear, and other essential items to folks in need. Now with colder weather approaching, we remain committed to this community and will continue to re-imagine Sudbury Street Arts for the winter months. You can donate directly here: https://mythsandmirrors.org/get-involved/ Thank you! Miigwetch!

McMaster University is offering free online treatment workshops for women who have been feeling depressed, down, or anxious after the birth of a baby. These wor...kshops are based on Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) and are being offered as part of a research study. Women will be eligible to participate if they are living in Canada, over the age of 18, and have a baby under 12 months.