Page 69 - 2017-2018 Department of Psychiatry Annual Report

promote early help seeking and and impact. This campaign has been
to prevent or reduce delays in highlighted in invited talks given by Dr
getting appropriate treatment for Tibbo at national, provincial and local
psychosis. Following focus group conferences and has received media
consultation with youth, the website attention.
becauseyourmindmatters.ca was
designed with a multimedia approach Eating Disorders Program
incorporating formats as requested The Nova Scotia Health Authority
by youth. During implementation of Eating Disorders Program is made
education sessions, wrist bracelet up of an outpatient clinic and a
flash drives are provided as a day hospital/inpatient program.
giveaway to students. Each flash Both include exposure-based meal
drive is preloaded with selected experiences and a variety of skills
education resources and offers free groups such as assertiveness,
space for student use. Interactive coping, body image and DBT/ACT.
campus presentations were offered in Therapy groups address self-esteem,
2017/18 introductory engineering and relational and existential issues. The
psychology classes reaching over program also has an active research
1200 students. Student feedback program and provides teaching to
continues to be positive and the flash both the Department of Psychiatry
drives are especially welcomed. and Psychology and Neuroscience.
A presentation entitled Because
Your Mind Matters: Education about Forensic Psychiatry
Psychosis on Campus was given The East Coast Forensic Hospital
at the Early Psychosis Intervention (ECFH) is a stand-alone, forensic
Ontario Network (EPION) Conference facility offering forensic psychiatric
in May 2017. EPION has recently services for the provinces of Nova
incorporated elements of the BYMM Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The
website into their post-secondary ECFH has an interdisciplinary team
education outreach presentations. and offers court-ordered assessments
and comprehensive rehabilitation
The WeedMyths campaign’s and risk management services for
objective is to allow youth to question individuals found not criminally
‘accepted’ beliefs of cannabis use. responsible or unfit to stand trial,
By questioning the current myths with a goal of eventual community
that youth have, and in translating reintegration.
research knowledge to a form that
resonates with this age group, we
aim for youth to develop informed
choices when it comes to early and
regular cannabis use. This education
and awareness campaign is unique
as it is youth informed and driven
with respect to the messaging and
the creative design. Initially funded
by the Mental Health Foundation
of Nova Scotia and NSEPP, and
with more recent funds from the
Department of Health and Wellness
for its continuation, Instagram and
YouTube videos, bus shelter ads,
billboards, website (weedmyths.
ca) and print material have been
produced. This multimedia approach,
focusing on methods directed by the
youth, ensures a broad distribution

Annual Report 2017 | 2018 69