Let's Talk Day
On the evening of Nov 13 2010 I received a heart stopping email from our childrens’ school. Daron Richardson a classmate of our daughter was in critical condition at the children’s hospital having being found by her mother in an attempted suicide. As we all know Daron passed away later that weekend, a beautiful, intelligent, athletic hugely popular girl, just weeks away from her 15th birthday.
It was all very surreal as we attended services, vigils, and a huge celebration of a young life at Scotia Bank Place. Keeping our own daughter close, I woke up at odd hours of the night checking in on her as she slept just watching her. As the days and weeks past I wondered how could a parent miss something like this, I was now on high alert of any signs of depression, the usual noises coming from her bedroom took on new significance small cries of despair when my daughter tried to finish an assignment, the disappointment at the loss of a game all this took on new meaning.
Fifteen months have passed our daughter is now 16, and February 8th what would have been Darons 16th birthday has be designated Let’s Talk Day “ a day to promote mental health awareness.
As family practice nurses, we likely see and are aware of mental illness more than most but let look out for the care givers of our patients. We should take note of the husbands, wives, children who drive patients to their appointments, push the wheelchairs and dispense medication as often they are the one less likely to Talk about it”. These caregivers try to be strong as they hold it all together often sandwiched between their senior parents and their teenaged children.
The DIFD (Do It For Daron) campaign has put mental illness out there and in our face so to speak and for some it has made it easier to talk about it to coworkers, buddies, siblings, health care professionals, family practice nurses etc. Let us be there for our patients and take a minute to talk to the caregivers and make sure they are coping too.
February 8th is Lets Talk Day share your smile and let’s spread the word.
Immunization Awareness Week
National Immunization Awareness Week takes place from April 21-28, 2012.
This year, CCIAP offers a variety of free resources for National Immunization Awareness Week: one 11x17" poster; three 8.5x11" posters; "A Parent's Guide to Immunization"; "Adult Immunization Record"; "Immunize Your Kids!", and the popular pamphlet "Immunization: Get the Facts". You can view the resources here: http://immunize.ca/en/events/niaw.aspx
Use the attached order form to make your order. Fax it to 613.725.9826 or e-mail it to immunize@cpha.ca by February 12, 2012 to receive your free printed copies of NIAW2012 resources. Please note that orders received after the 12 February deadline cannot be processed!
* * * * * * *
La Semaine nationale de promotion de la vaccination aura lieu du 21 au 28 avril 2012.
Nous vous offrons beaucoup de ressources gratuites pour la Semaine nationale de promotion de la vaccination, y compris : une affiche 11po x 117po, trois affiches 8,5po x 11po; la publication "Guide des parents sur la vaccination", et les livrets "Fiche de vaccination de l'adulte", "Faites vacciner vos enfants!" et "La vaccination : informez-vous".
Nous vous invitons à remplir le bon de commande ci-joint, et à l'envoyer par télécopieur au numéro 613.725.9826 ou par courriel à l'adresse immunize@cpha.ca, d'ici le 12 février 2012 pour recevoir vos ressources imprimées gratuites. A noter que les commandes reçues après le 12 février ne seront pas traitées!
Vision Statement
To be nationally recognized as nurses committed to excellence; valuing quality outcomes, professionalism, collaborative practice and a patient/family centered approach to care
from birth to end of life.
To promote and support family practice/primary care nursing as an inspired profession of a lifetime
Learn More!
Ontario Family Practice Nurses Conference OFPN)
Hold the date for the OFPN biennial conference that will be held on May 4 and 5, 2012 at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel. The theme of the conference will be "Womb to Tomb" and call for abstracts has been extended until December 9th, 2011. Registration details will be posted as soon as they are made available.
Heart and Stroke Clinical Update
Heart&Stroke Clinical Update 2011 will get you current on the best practices and leading edge sciences that will enable you to help your patients more effectively. Click here for Conference Overview
Date: Dec. 9 - 10, 2011 Pre-conference Dec. 8, 2011
Location: Hilton Downtown Toronto Hotel

