AND STILL THE BEST~ IS BACK! WHEN THE bus driver carried the writing desk up to her North Shore apart- ment, Barbara, who has manic depression, knew she was in business. By Bill Paul &4 In Canada, there are an estimated 2 million people who are affected by mood disorders .. .99 10.25% INTEREST RATE ~ YEAR FIVE ~ AND THE OPTION TO REDEEM EACH AND EVERY YEAR. Contributing Writer Over the winter she had com- pleted a job and social! skills train- ing course. Now she was working as a researcher from her home for the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society. “The research was something I knew I could do,’’ she says. ‘‘It made me feel worthwhile.”’ This year during National Men- tal Health Week, which runs this week, the focus is on mental ill- ness and income security. How do people who have a mental illness adapt to looking for work? Some people who have a mental iliness are unable to work full- time. The symptoms of their ill- ness — rapid mood changes, lack of motivation, anxiety attacks — prevent them from working. For many, then, it means they need to rely upon provincial i come assistance. Barbara, 41, was on income assistance for 10 years. She went to the food bank often and bought most of her clothing at second-hand stores, For enter- tainment, Barbara would attend dances sponsored by mental health organizations. SATURDAY Mey 8--Mother’s Day storytime & craft workshop. Make gift for Mom. Pre-register kids 2ged 4-8 yrs. N.V. City Library. Info: 980-4424. . ese May &-Spring garage sale. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Silver Harbour Community Cen- tre, 5575. Marine Dr., W.YV. Info: 921-7425. 1 eee “May 8--Ongoing. RecCentre Magnussen is looking for talented teens (singers, actors, musicians, poets) who are interested in performing oa “Stage Night’? on Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m, Info: 983-6559. . : oea May %-Ongoing. Free. Information: Positive Approach Counselling Ser- vices. Info session for parents & stu- dents with learning disability concerns. Phone 925-HELP. oee May 8--Ongoing. N.V. Youth Band (concert & marching band) needs new members aged 10-18 yrs., any level of music experience is acceptable. Info: 980-1934, May 8-Ongoing. Storytime for kids aged 3 yrs. & older, 10:30 a.m., Lynn Valley District Library. Info: 984- 0286. : oee . May 8--Ongoing to June. French Storytimes: beginners, 10 a.m.; French immersion students, 11 a.m. N.V. City Library, 121 W. 14th St., N.V. een May 8-Ongoing. Saturday Storytime. Stories & fun for kids 4-8 yrs., 10:30 am. Info: N.V. City Library, 980- » 4424, SUNDAY May 9--Mountain bike mania. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. recCentre Magnussen, In- fo: 983-6550, eee May 9--Ongoing: Visit farm animals & birds at Maplewood Farm, 405 Seymour River Place; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, except non-holiday Mondays; milking demo at 1:15 p.m.; bring lunch & have a picnic. Info: 929-5610. For more Coming Events sce first page of Classifieds. For arts and entertainment iistings see the Around Town cotumn in Wednes- day’s North Shore Now section. That all changed Jast year when she got married. Her husband was making a good income which meant she was no longer eligible to receive income assistance. Barbara found that she wasn’t prepared to take up the respon- sibilities of a home or the workplace. She looked around for help and found it at the North Shore Community Mental Heaith Cen- tre. The centre referred her to the Gastown Vocational Services (GVS). GVS is an organization funded by the health ministry and the ministry of advanced educa- tion that helps people with a men- tal illness prepare for the job market. People with a mental illness at- tend. classes concerning self- esteem, anger management and conftict resolution. The classes are part of the program’s pre- employment assessment. Barbara says taking the first part of the program made her feel like a whole person again. “I remember the director said to our group that we weren’t sick anymore. That was a turning point for me,” she says. ‘‘I felt hopeful after that course.” : In Canada, there are an estimated 2% million people who are affected by mood disorders such as depression and manic- depression. People who have manic-depres- sion may fluctuate between periods of elation and depression. Often, a person’s manic-depres- sion can be treated with medica- tion or therapy. In Barbara’s case, she receives an injection of medicine every two weeks from her therapist. As well, she takes medication once a day to help curb her mood swings. The Canadian Mental Health Association, which is a member of the B.C. Mental Health Com- munications Council, and other community advocacy groups, say people with a mental illness who want to work need equal access to employment opportunities. Barbara agrees. She says that during the last two years she’s been trying to de- velop a positive attitude about herself. She says having a suppor- tive husband and a good psychiatrist helps. “I've stopped analyzing myself as a loser. I believe 1 have as many opportunities as the next person,’’ says Barbara. HUMBERSTON EDWARDS fine ant presents An Exhibition and Sale of Watercolours by the Following Artists Norman Brown Graham Herbert Michael O”Toole Fred Schaefer May 8th — Drew Burnham Robert McMurray Robert Rennie Linda Wagner 22nd, 1993 Opening: Saturday, May. 8th 12:00-4:00 PM Artists in Attendance 1360 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC. Tel: 922-7934 © Fax: 922-0183 INCLUDES: © COMPLETE SYSTEM CHECK eFRONT WHEEL BEARING SERVICE Shen’ since 1978, we are seeqais) proud of our reputation, It is a fact that regulate } maintenance of bra fransmission will sove ey Watch for details in your mail. NE NORTH SHORE L° Seeing is believing .... Come in & meet Annette Weist. 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