Osican
2702 12 Ave S4T 1J2 Regina, SK, Canada

What If ... On a personal reflection. I found occasionally I drifted on the ‘what if’ rather than recognizing what if is out of my control. Focusing on what if has no value. I can recall early in my policing career thinking of the what-if and quickly realized I had no control over what might or could happen and I was wasting valuable energy. My best response was to accept I only had control of myself and to put what-if in my rearview mirror. To remain focused on the areas I actually had control of which was to accept I could control my own destiny and to only deal with what if only, when it became a reality. Then to take it as a challenge to be overcome. The saying ‘If its to be, it's up to me’ certainly applies.

WHEN ONE LIVES WITHOUT HOPE, THE WILLINGNESS TO DO IS PARALYZED. IT IS BEING DISABLED, NOT BY ILLNESS OR DISEASE, BUT BY DESPAIR. Signs of Recovery I know that I am moving forward in my recovery when... I find myself questioning people who say I will not recover I become more aware of those things that I am good at. I know what I can handle and what I need to share with the professionals. I am able to set up safeguards for myself. I learn from my peers and get support from them. I see trouble coming before it arrives. I think I may have a chance. I know who and what’s not good for me. I realize what sets me off and stresses me out. I know how to work the system. I know when my behaviour is appropriate and inappropriate. I am able to hear hope from my peers Hang in there, it’s not forever I know the difference in symptoms and stigma and am developing coping skills for each. I believe I can recover. I know when to leave a situation because it has given me all it can. I realize that my past life has value. I know when I need a special kind of help and seek it out. I know that sharing with peers helps put things in perspective. The above is provided in order to see the importance of instilling HOPE in our daily lives and try to view things in positives. Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh Photo by DanSunphotos.com

Five Fundamental Beliefs About Life Foundation for Peer Support: Everyone has the ability to learn and grow. People’s beliefs determine their behaviour. People think their way through life. Whatever people focus on, they give power to.... Life’s experiences are the best teacher. Beliefs re-stated within the context of mental health and Recovery Being diagnosed with a mental health injury does not take away the ability to learn and grow; people can recover and move on with their lives. What a person believes about himself/herself, because of a diagnosis with a mental injury, is the most important determinant of his/her success in creating the life he/she wants. Being diagnosed with a mental illness does not take away the ability to think strategically and creatively. While symptoms and mental illness bring people in for services, the focus needs to shift to wellness and strengths as soon as possible. Your recovery experience is your greatest gift to your peers HOPE *** Taken from Prairies to Peaks Peer Support Training Manual Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh

Creating a discussion around the purpose and value of PEER SUPPORT. The following is a statement from Recovery Innovations located out of Phoenix, AZ.: When peers begin to work in the mental health system, recovery is accelerated in three ways. The peer’s own recovery is strengthened. The peer helps others recover. The peers help the agency and/or the system recover as a SHARED EXPERIENCE... GIFTS THAT ARE THE FRUIT OF A LIVED EXPERIENCE First, there is a sense of gratitude that is manifested in compassion and commitment. Second, there is an insight into the experience of internalized stigma. Third, peers address the you do not know what it’s like feeling in their peers. Fourth, they have had the experience of moving from hopelessness to hope. Fifth, they are in a unique position to develop a relationship of trust with their peers. Sixth, they have developed the gift of monitoring their illness and managing their lives holistically, both mind and body. The above was taken from Prairies to Peaks Consulting, Inc. PEER Support Training Manual Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh.

For those firefighter organizations including volunteer firefighters!! CMHA offers an excellent program for your department to prevent OSI's: https://resilientminds.cmha.ca/

On behalf of the men and women of OSI-CAN, we want to thank those who were supporters and volunteers of the Healing with Horses Retreat (HHR) on October 3rd, 2020. Their support made the Retreat a success and was a positive experience for those involved. It is through the efforts of volunteers such as yourself that allows OSI-CAN to provide such services to those who need it ... because we need them!! Thank you again for your valuable contribution to the OSI-CAN Support In...itiative’s Healing with Horses Retreat: Ashley Martin - Being Among Horses/HHR Denah Kletcho - Being Among Horses/HHR Cyndi Egbert - Being Among Horses/HHR Randy Muyres - Being Among Horses/HHR Heather Waycott - Being Among Horses (Cartier alumni) /HHR Morag Being Among Horses Owner/HHR Randy - Being Among Horses Owner/HHR Jacquie Healing With Horses Retreat Michaelene Diebel Marketing/Healing With Horses Daniel Blondeau - CMHA SK Marketing/HHR Julius Brown of OSI-CAN/HHR Mark Stiglitz of OSI-CAN Peer Support/HHR Renee Baker of OSI-CAN Peer Support/HHR Al Douchette of OSI-CAN Peer Support/HHR Thank You and Happy Holidays!!

There are new online resources available for First Responders and other Public Service Personnel: https://www.osicansk.ca/resources

ICYMI: Earlier today, the SHA joined representatives of Government of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon for an announcement that dedicates $30 million to build Urgent C...are Centres in Saskatoon and Regina. These centres will provide an alternative to Emergency Departments for an illness or injury that is not life threatening but can’t wait until the next day, including mental health and addictions supports, and will be open 24-hour/seven-days-a-week. "These centres will supplement the services already provided in community by family physicians, primary health care clinics and others in support of the SHA’s connected care strategy," Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. Urgent care centres provide injury care such as stitches and casting for minor broken bones; treatment for infections, fevers, rashes and flu symptoms and on-site diagnostic imaging, pharmaceutical and laboratory services. They will also offer urgent mental health and addictions supports. Patients will be supported by a range of care providers including physicians, registered nurses, clinical counsellors, social workers, mental health care and addictions workers, diagnostic technicians and pharmacists. Further development and planning on the scope of programs and services to be offered are in progress. Final locations will be announced later this year. The planning and design phase for both centres will begin immediately. Full news release for Saskatoon's Urgent Care Centre - https://www.saskatchewan.ca//20/september/21/saskatoon-ucc Full news release for Regina's Urgent Care Centre - https://www.saskatchewan.ca///2020/september/21/regina-ucc

The Healing with Horses Retreat is for veterans and frontline workers (spouses/partners are encouraged to attend) Oct. 3rd, 2020, go to http://ow.ly/jGsz50BEKbY for more information

There are new online resources for Public Service Personnel like veterans and first responders on the OSI-CAN website: https://www.osicansk.ca/resources

The Healing with Horses Retreat is still on!! This is an event in which we can better manage the COVID-19 concerns!