THE AQPAMM COMMITMENT
The Association québécoise des parents et amis de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale inc. (AQPAMM) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1979 by the relatives and friends of those suffering from mental illness in their quest to overcome the many problems they face.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward the de-institutionalization of individuals suffering from mental illness. Increasingly, the families of these individuals have been called on to take responsibility for the integration of these individuals into family and social life. Families have not been well prepared to face this challenge, because their knowledge of mental illness has been extremely limited, and they are largely unaware of the community resources available to them. Access to specialists equipped to provide adequate information has also been limited. Families just didn't know what actions to take to ease the reintegration of their loved one into society.
The Montréal chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association backed the creation of the AQPAMM and provided advice and financial support during its formative years.
Hôpital Notre-Dame offers facilities for meetings, and its psychiatric social service department provides resource personnel.
Since its inception, the AQPAMM has set clear objectives:
- To provide support for families affected by the mental illness
of one of their loved ones.
- To develop an assistance network and aid family and friends
in finding and using their resources.
- To encourage communication between the family and the therapeutic
team.
- To increase awareness of community resources, encourage effective
use of these resources and, if necessary, promote new ones.
- To defend the rights of those suffering from mental illness;
to combat the stigma and ignorance surrounding mental health
problems.
- To inform the public and stakeholders about the problems caused by mental illness, through the publication of pamphlets and newsletters.
In 1982, the AQPAMM sponsored a research project entitled Étude exploratoire sur le vécu et les besoins de la famille du patient suivi en psychiatrie (Exploratory study on the experiences and needs of the family of a psychiatric patient). The individuals who responded to this questionnaire were members of the AQPAMM, the AQPAMM Rive-Sud (the South Shore chapter of the AQPAMM), and some members of the Association lavalloise des parents pour le bien-être mental.
The results of this study clearly indicated a need to develop resources and services aimed at ensuring the well being of those who are afflicted and their families.
In the fall of 1983, the AQPAMM became an independent organization. It filed a subsidy application with Centraide Montréal. This application was approved.
In June 1984, the AQPAMM published its research brief, entitled Impact de la maladie mentale sur la famille (Impact of mental illness on the family), and a resource directory called Vers la santé mentale (Toward better mental health).
In the fall of the same year, the AQPAMM established an office in Hôpital Notre-Dame's Rollot pavilion, hired permanent staff, and organized itself with a view to improving its services to the families and friends of those suffering from mental illness.
In 1985, the AQPAMM filed a subsidy application with the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec, and subsequently obtained financial assistance.
In the summer of 1985, the social affairs sub-committee conducted a study on the distribution of support and social reintegration services for individuals suffering from mental illness and living in the community. The AQPAMM presented a brief before the sub-committee.
The AQPAMM was the focus of a public meeting organized by the Rochon Commission to identify the needs of families with regard to mental health.
In 1986, the AQPAMM obtained a subsidy from the Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux, which allowed the AQPAMM to pursue its mission and diversify the services offered to its target clientele.
Since its foundation in 1979, the AQPAMM has made steady progress. It has succeeded in increasing awareness of the representatives and agencies active in the realm of mental health by participating in seminars, conferences, and meetings, and voicing its concerns and opinions.
Thanks to the AQPAMM,s constant efforts, the number of individuals attending meetings and conferences on mental health continues to rise. Similarly, an increasing number of individuals contact our offices by telephone or in person, seeking support and information.
In 1990, the AQPAMM obtained a subsidy from the Régie régionale de la Santé et des Services Sociaux, Montréal-Centre for its family assistance program.
Since July 1995, the AQPAMM's permanent staff has drafted requests for psychiatric clinical evaluations.
Every Wednesday at 3 p.m., the AQPAMM offers Art Therapy courses to the participants in its family assistance program.
A psychiatric nurse at Hôpital Louis H.-Lafontaine offers a course on mental illnesses to members of the AQPAMM. This 15-session course, entitled Pour mieux vivre avec soi-même et autres (Getting along with ourselves and others), is offered twice each year, and is held on Monday nights.
Individual meetings with a social worker are also arranged, as required, for families of individuals suffering from mental illness.
The AQPAMM is a founding member of the FFAPAMM (Fédération des familles et amis de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale), which is headquartered in Québec City. The AQPAMM represents Montréal's five francophone associations on the FFAPAMM Board of Directors. It is also a member of various mental health organizations and the Table de concertation de la sous-région du Centre-Est. The AQPAMM works in partnership with representatives from the CLSC, crisis centres, and psychiatric outpatient clinics in the eastern-central region, and with the other community agencies active in the realm of mental health.
Since its foundation, the AQPAMM has been able to rely on the selfless efforts of many volunteers. This has helped to ensure its longevity.
The contribution of these volunteers has made it possible for the AQPAMM to pursue its steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life of individuals suffering from severe and persistent mental illness and their families.
Drafted by: Lyne Lemieux
Andrée Thibault
This document was made possible thanks to the contribution of Université de Montréal's Centre étudiant de services aux collectivités.
Summary of services presently offered
The AQPAMM organizes meetings, courses, workshops, and conferences.
At AQPAMM offices:
Courses Clinic on mental illness with a psychiatric nurse; two courses comprising 15 sessions each Mondays at 7 p.m.
Self-help
meetings facilitated
by professionals: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 2 p.m.;
2nd Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m.
Workshops with specific themes: 3rd Tuesday
or last Thursday of each month at
2 p.m., facilitated by professionals.
Self-help
group and follow-up on mental illness: last Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Individual
meetings with
response personnel upon request
Art-Therapy, Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Seasonal
social/cultural activities
Public information campaign
Information
Conference: 4th
Tuesday of every month (except for June, July, and August) Mailloux
Pavilion of Notre-Dame Hospital, Rooms 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Family
respite
In 2000, the AQPAMM will be staffed by 5 permanent employees and one temporary employee.
We are located at:
1260 Sainte-Catherine
East, Suite 202, Montréal
(facing Beaudry Métro)
Text updated by:
Gisèle Tourangeau,
s.w.
Director
March 21, 2000
